Alligatoring

Patterned cracking in the surface of the paint film resembling the regular scales of an alligator.

Possible causes:

Application of an extremely hard, rigid coating, like an alkyd enamel, over a more flexible coating, like a latex primer.
Application of a top coat before the undercoat is dry.
Natural ageing of oil-based paints as temperatures fluctuate. The constant expansion and contraction results in a loss of paint film elasticity.

Solution:

Old paint should be completely removed by scraping and sanding the surface; a heat gun can be used to speed work on large surfaces but take care to avoid igniting paint or substrate. The surface should be primed with a high quality latex or oil-based primer, then painted with a top quality exterior latex paint

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Paint incompatibility

Loss of adhesion where many old coats of alkyd or oil-based paint receive a latex top coat. Possible causes: Use of water-based latex paint over...

Wrinkling

A rough, crinkled paint surface occurring when paint forms a “skin.” Possible causes: Paint applied too thickly (more likely when using alkyd or oil-based paints)....

Wax bleed

Stains that come from waxy substances in the reconstituted wood products used to make hardboard siding. When the substrate is painted, these staining substances bleed...

Vinyl siding warp

Warping or buckling of vinyl siding panels that have been repainted. Possible causes: Most likely cause is that vinyl siding was repainted with a darker...

Tannin staining

Brownish or tan discoloration on the paint surface due to migration of tannins from the substrate through the paint film. Typically occurs on “staining woods,’...

Surfactant leaching

Concentration of water-soluble ingredients on latex paint, creating a blotchy, sometimes glossy appearance, often with a tan or brownish cast. More likely with tinted paints...

Poor gloss retention

Deterioration of the paint film, resulting in excessive or rapid loss of lustre of the top coat. Possible causes: Use of an interior paint outdoors....

Poor galvanized metal adhesion

Paint that has lost its adhesion to a galvanized metal substrate. Possible causes: Improper surface preparation, such as inadequate rust removal. Failure to apply a...

Poor alkali resistance

Colour loss and overall deterioration of paint film on fresh masonry. Possible causes: Oil-based paint or vinyl acrylic latex paint was applied to new masonry...

Peeling

Loss of paint due to poor adhesion. Where there is a primer and top coat, or multiple coats of paint, peeling may involve some or...

Blistering

Bubbles resulting from localized loss of adhesion and lifting of the paint film from the underlying surface. Possible causes: Painting a warm surface in direct...

Nailhead rusting

Reddish-brown stains on the paint surface. Possible causes: Non-galvanized iron nails have begun to rust, causing bleed-through to the top coat. Non-galvanized iron nails have...

Mildew

Black, grey or brown areas on the surface of paint or caulk. Possible causes: Forms most often on areas that tend to be damp, and...

Lapping

Appearance of a denser colour or higher gloss where wet and dry layers overlap during paint application. Possible causes: Failure to maintain a “wet edge”...

Frosting

A white, salt-like substance on the paint surface. Frosting can occur on any paint colour, but it is less noticeable on white paint or light...

Fading/poor colour retention

Premature and/or excessive lightening of the paint colour, which often occurs on surfaces with sunny southern exposure. Fading/poor colour retention can also be a result...

Efflorescence/mottling

Crusty, white salt deposits, leached from mortar or masonry as water passes through it. Possible causes: Failure to adequately prepare surface by removing all previous...

Cracking/flaking

The splitting of a dry paint film through at least one coat, which will lead to complete failure of the paint. Early on, the problem...

Chalk run-down

The washing down of chalk from an excessively eroding paint onto another area below (a brick foundation, for example), ruining its appearance (see Chalking). Possible...

Chalking

Formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint film during weathering, which can cause colour fading. Although some degree of chalking is a...

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