Interior Paint Solution Center

 

Sagging

Sagging

Downward "drooping" movement of the paint film immediately after application, resulting in an uneven film appearance.

 

What causes sagging? Cause:  
  • Application of a heavy coat of paint.
  • Application in excessively humid and/or cool conditions.
  • Over thinning paint.
  • Airless spraying with the gun too close to the substrate.
Solution to sagging Solution:  
  • If the paint has not begun to set up and is still wet, immediately brush out or re-roll to redistribute the excess evenly.  If the paint has dried, sand and reapply a new coat of top quality paint.  Correct any unfavorable conditions:  Do not thin the paint; avoid cool or humid conditions; sand glossy surfaces.  Paint should be applied at its recommended spread rate; avoid "heaping on" the paint.  Two coats of paint at the recommended spread rate are better than one heavy coat, which can also lead to sagging.  Consider removing doors and painting them horizontally.
 

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Surfactant Leaching

Surfactant Leaching

Film discoloration due to a concentration of water-soluble ingredients on the painted surface, typically found on ceiling surface in rooms that have high humidity, for example bathrooms and kitchens. The discoloration may appear as light tan or brown spots showing a glossy, soapy appearance.

 

What causes Surfactant Leaching? Cause:  
  • Latex paints will exhibit this tendency if the coating is applied under very humid and cool temperature conditions.  Dark colors made with large quantities of colorant are more susceptible.
Solution to Surfactant Leaching Solution:  
  • Wash the affected area with soap and water, and rinse.  Problem may occur once or twice again before leachable material is completely removed.  When the paint is applied in a bathroom, it is important to have it dry thoroughly before using the shower.  Refer to the coating's product information sheet regarding dry and service times.
 

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Wrinkling

Wrinkling

A rough, crinkled paint surface, which occurs when drying, uncured paint forms a wrinkled "skin".

 

What causes Wrinkling? Cause:
  • Paint is applied too thickly.
  • Painting during extremely hot weather or cool damp weather, which causes the paint film to dry faster on top layer than on the layer closer to the substrate (more likely to happen when using an alkyd of oil-based paint).
  • Exposing uncured paint to high humidity levels.
  • Applying topcoat of paint to insufficiently cured primer.
  • Painting over contaminated surface (e.g., dirt or wax).
Solution to Wrinkling Solution:
  • Scrape or sand substrate to remove the wrinkled coating.  If using a primer, allow it to dry completely before applying the topcoat.  Repaint, avoiding temperature / humidity extremes, applying an even coat of top quality interior paint.

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Yellowing

Yellowing

Development of a yellow cast in aging paint, most noticeable in the films of white and light off-white colored paints or clear varnishes.

 

What causes yellowing? Cause:
  • Normal oxidation of an alkyd, oil-based paint, or varnish.
  • For alkyd paints; exposure to ammonia containing products during its curing stage.
  • Lack of light (e.g., behind pictures or appliances, inside closets).
Solution to yellowing Solution:
  • Use a high quality interior latex paint, which does not yellow or use a latex-based clear varnish.  Alkyd paints, because of their curing mechanism, do tend to yellow, particularly in areas that are protected from sunlight.  Avoid using ammonia containing materials in the same area while the freshly applied alkyd based coating is curing.  Refer to the coating's product information sheet regarding dry and service times.

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