Is the paint on your interior or exterior walls chipping, fading, or cracking? Sometimes problems will occur because it’s been a long time since the walls have been painted and they just need a fresh coat of paint. But there are situations when it’s only been a few years and you’re having problems.

Reasons for Failing Paint

The primary reason for a paint job failure is improper or insufficient surface preparation. Many amateur painters don’t place enough emphasis on preparing the area, which can result in the paint not adhering properly. The prep process will depend on what you’re painting and the type of paint you’re using.

Some common issues with an inferior paint job and how to fix them are listed below.

1. Cracking

If your paint has cracked, it means the paint was too thin or may have dried too fast. In order to fix the problem, you’ll need to remove the paint, sand down the surface and apply primer, then repaint. Painting over the cracks will just produce the same uneven surface and texture.

2. Fading

Exterior surfaces can fade from excessive sunlight. The UV rays will break down the paint’s pigment. To fix it, you’ll need to remove any chalking, then repaint the surface. You can also reduce the chance of fading by using a good quality primer and paint in the first place.

3. Flaking/Peeling

These paint issues are usually found on the exterior, caused by dampness, mold or rust, which deteriorates the paint. Small affected areas can be fixed by sanding the surface and repainting, as long as the paint matches. If it’s affected larger areas, the entire exterior may need to be treated and repainted.

If your interior walls are flaking, the cause could also be moisture or mold. You’ll need to get that underlying problem fixed before the addressing the painting, or you’ll continue to have the flaking issue. Mold growth can also impact the health of the building’s occupants if left untreated.

4. Blistering

Blistering occurs when excess moisture gets underneath the paint. Again, it’s important to find out what’s causing the moisture and get it remediated. Repainting will be pointless until you’re sure the surface will stay dry. You could have a hidden water leak or improper ventilation, which will create dampness. 

running paint

5. Running 

If the paint is dripping or running down the wall, you’re probably using too much paint. You can resolve this by painting over the surface if the paint has not yet dried. If it has started to dry, wait until it’s completely dry, then use a fine-grained sandpaper until smooth. Wipe down the surface to remove any grit, then repaint.

6. Stains

If there are stains on the surface, they may bleed through a repainting job. If you cannot completely remove the stains, use a high-quality primer to seal the surface.  

7. Gritty Surface

If the surface was not properly cleaned prior to painting, dirt, grime, and grease can affect the final results. Or dirt or debris could have gotten into the paint, brushes, or rollers during painting. You can prevent this by thoroughly cleaning the surface before painting, straining the paint, or by using a paint guard for your paintbrush.

8. Poor Aesthetics

This is an overall sloppy appearance of the finished paint job. Missed spots, drips, running paint, and other issues that affect the appearance of the surface can all be attributed to either an inexperienced painter or using inferior products, or both.

Many do-it-yourselfers may think that painting is a job they can easily tackle. They may quickly discover that the money they are saving by doing it themselves is not worth the less-than-perfect results. They may also try to skimp on the primer, paint, or tools they use, which will affect the aesthetics, as well as the longevity of the paint job.

Hire a Professional Painter to Prevent Paint Problems

Prepping exterior

Because most paint problems are due to lack of knowledge about proper techniques, preparation, and products, it’s wise to hire an experience professional paint contractor. They have the expertise and training to produce a high-quality paint job that will last for years.

ACP Painting, LLC can paint your home or commercial business expertly and efficiently. We pride ourselves in our professionalism in all that we do. We know your time is valuable, so we are always punctual. Our customer service is second to none because we want to keep you as a client for the long haul.

When you hire ACP Painting for your home or business painting projects, you can rest assured that you’ll be getting the best quality at a fair price.