Signs of Worn Out Paint and How to Fix It
Understanding the Causes and Solutions
Exterior paint faces harsh conditions, but modern paints are designed to withstand these challenges. However, under certain conditions or when preparation and application are subpar, various paint problems can arise.
Common Signs of Worn Out Paint
- Blistering: Small to medium-sized bubbles or blisters under the paint film, commonly seen on wood siding and trim, caused by trapped moisture or solvent vapor.
- Alligatoring and Checking: Deep cracks with a reptile-skin pattern (alligatoring) or long, evenly spaced cracks with shallow depth (checking), caused by incompatible paint layers or aging oil-based paint.
- Efflorescence: Crusty white salt deposits bubbling through the paint film on masonry surfaces, indicating moisture migration and salt leaching.
- Chalking: Fine chalky powder on the paint surface, a normal aging process but excessive chalking can indicate paint failure, especially in dry climates.
- Sagging or Running: Droopy, dripping appearance of paint film, caused by heavy application, excessive thinning, or poor environmental conditions.
- Mildew: Gray, brown, green, or black splotches on paint film or caulk, indicating fungus growth due to moisture and poor ventilation.
- Rust Discoloration: Rust-colored stains on paint surfaces, caused by non-corrosion-resistant nails or steel nails reacting with moisture or wood tannins.
- Peeling: Separation of paint layers from the surface or from each other, caused by poor adhesion, moisture infiltration, or blistering.
- Fading: Discoloration and lightening of paint color in specific areas, caused by UV rays, weather exposure, and low-quality paint.
Causes and Solutions for Worn Out Paint
Blistering
- Causes: Trapped moisture, solvent vapor, improper ventilation, or house moisture escaping through walls.
- Solutions: Scrape away blisters, sand to bare wood, let dry, and repaint with high-quality latex paint. Ensure proper ventilation and repair any moisture sources.
Alligatoring and Checking
- Causes: Incompatible paint layers, old oil-based paint, or natural aging.
- Solutions: Remove old paint, sand, prime, and repaint with flexible latex-based paint. Use high-quality latex paint.
Efflorescence
- Causes: Moisture migration through masonry walls, inadequate waterproofing, or poor concrete curing.
- Solutions: Eliminate moisture sources, waterproof exterior walls, remove efflorescence, and repaint with high-quality latex paint.
Chalking
- Causes: Cheap paint, improper paint application, or porous surfaces.
- Solutions: Remove chalking, power wash, or scrub with cleaning solution, and repaint with high-quality latex paint. Clean stained brick areas with masonry cleaning solution.
Sagging or Running
- Causes: Heavy paint application, excessive thinning, poor environmental conditions, or lack of surface preparation.
- Solutions: Redistribute excess paint while wet, sand uneven areas, and repaint if dry. Prime glossy surfaces before painting. Use two light coats instead of one heavy coat.
Mildew
- Causes: Moisture, poor ventilation, and lack of sunlight.
- Solutions: Scrub with cleaning solution or bleach solution, let sit, rinse, and repaint with high-quality latex paint.
Rust Discoloration
- Causes: Non-corrosion-resistant nails, steel nails, or exposure to moisture.
- Solutions: Replace steel nails with galvanized or stainless steel nails. Remove rust, prime with rust-inhibiting primer, and repaint.
Peeling
- Causes: Poor surface preparation, moisture infiltration, or blistering.
- Solutions: Scrape away peeling paint, spot prime bare areas, caulk as needed, and repaint with high-quality acrylic latex paint. Eliminate moisture sources and ensure proper ventilation.
Fading
- Causes: UV rays, weather exposure, and low-quality paint.
- Solutions: Pressure wash and repaint with higher quality, UV-resistant paint. Choose lighter colors that are less susceptible to fading. Repaint regularly in areas with harsh sun exposure.