When it comes to exterior paint, you need a color that can hold its own against the elements. There are plenty of exterior colors to choose from, and everyone has their preferences. However, all exterior paints are susceptible to issues from the elements after continued exposure. Nothing is impervious, and there are many different problems that you will come across when you deal with exterior paint during home remodels. The five that we have listed here are some of the more common problems that face exterior paint in New England.
Alligatoring
Alligatoring creates cracks in the paint that look like an alligator. Usually, this is caused, according to Benjamin Moore, by applying a solid coating over a flexible layer. While this is not the only way it happens, it is one of the more common causes. It can also happen if the top coat is applied before the primer is dry. While age can cause it as well, it is important to be on the lookout so that you can fix it. It is easy to repair the problem: all you need to do is remove the paint, then repaint the surface with a primer and exterior paint that mesh together.
Chalking
Chalking is an uncomfortable experience to go through. Chalking happens when a powder shows up on the color during inclement weather, which leads to fading. Fading is a relatively regular occurrence and is how you want a majority of your paint to wear. It can also happen prematurely when a low-quality paint gets used. The best way to solve this is to get rid of as much of the chalk as possible, rinse, check its condition, and then repaint the surface.
Cracking or Flaking
We have all seen and witnessed this issue as well. When you go to the siding, and you see chips of paint missing, or you can easily pluck pieces away, it is known as cracking or flaking. They start out as hairline cracks and eventually become a larger issue. There are many reasons that this could happen. One is that poor paint did not adhere properly or the paint was spread too thin on the surface during home remodels. It can also occur when the surface did not get prepared correctly or if it was chilly or windy, causing the paint to dry too quickly. Removing the affected paint with a wire brush, or, if it goes farther down in the layers, removing the paint and repainting, can remedy this issue.
Fading
Typical on surfaces exposed to the sun throughout the day, the color can fade from the paint. Usually, this occurs naturally with chalking and mainly in colors that are UV sensitive. However, it can happen when tinting happens on paint that cannot be tinted or if tinting was not correct. The best way to fix color fading is to remove any chalking, then repaint.
Wrinkling
Wrinkling is when the surface of the pain is crinkled and rough. Wrinkles occur if the paint was applied too thick on the surface, or if the surface got painted during hot weather or damp weather. If you did not cure your paint, that could be an issue as well. If you did not prepare the surface, you could get wrinkling as well. All you need to do is scrape away the wrinkles, prime, and repaint.
These common issues appear everywhere, so it is important that you know how to address them and fix them. Should you be concerned that there is a greater underlying problem, call Corriveau Contracting today for expert advice regarding home remodels.
