When doing exterior house painting in Concord, there is a high likelihood that you find any noticeable damage on the siding. The surface damage can be the result of natural factors, but it can also be the result of an improper painting job.
Here are few of the common exterior surface problems and how can you address them:
Cracking paint – There are variations of cracking paint such as “alligatoring” and “checking.” “Alligatoring” refers to cracking in the paint film with the resulting pattern being deep and rough-looking resembling the hide of an alligator. “Checking” is also like “alligatoring” but it is less severe.
The cracking paint is a result of adhesion problems or that the second coat of paint has been applied over the first coat which was still wet. Remember to wait for the first topcoat to dry completely first before applying a second coat of paint. Another option would be to buy only good quality paints for their superior adhesive properties. You can also prime the surface which will ensure complete adhesion of the topcoat to the surface.
If you see such problems, remove the old paint, and then smooth the surface with sand paper. Add a primer, and let it dry first before finally applying the next layer of paint.
Blistering paint – This problem consists of a bubble or blister that forms underneath the paint’s surface. The most common cause of a blistering paint is moisture, although there are also other factors. It can also be the result of applying an oil-based paint over the existing latex paint, or from applying paint while the weather is too hot. The extreme heat will hasten the drying time, thus the paint will not dry evenly, resulting into blistering.
To avoid blistering or bubbling paint, avoid painting at the hottest time of the day or under direct sunlight, and do not apply an oil-based paint over a latex paint. If you are not sure whether the current paint is latex or oil-based, here’s a tip: get a clean rag (or a cotton swab) and regular rubbing alcohol. Dampen the rag with alcohol and rub it against the surface. If the rag comes clean, then it means that the paint on the surface is oil-based, so buy an oil-based paint. But if the paint begins to rub off and you see stains on the rag, then the current paint is latex, so use latex paint. This is a useful method to determine whether you have to buy an oil-based paint or a latex paint.
In case you see such problem on the surface: scrape off the blistering paint, sand the problem area, and prime it. Allow the primer to dry first completely before applying the next topcoat.
Peeling paint – Peeling paint is caused by several factors such as moisture and poor adhesion. You may have painted the surface while it was raining, or you may have used a poor-quality caulk before painting, or the paint you used has adhesion issues. Another problem could be that the surface was dirty by the time you painted.
Poor preparation on the surface or no preparation at all can also contribute to peeling paint issues.
Remember that proper preparation is always the key to a good paint finish. Cleaning the surface properly and fixing surface flaws are some of the steps in preparing the surface. Also, do not paint outside if the weather is damp. Using good quality paints, primers, caulks, and sealants are also important.
If you see peeling paint, the solution is pretty much the same: scrape away the peeling paint, sand to smooth the surface, and then prime it. Allow the primer to dry completely before applying the topcoat.
It’s not surprising if you encounter any of these problems because they’re pretty common issues in exterior house painting in Concord. Now that you have fixed the problems, make sure that you prevent them from happening again in the future by applying these proper painting techniques.
