Maintaining the exterior paint on your home is important for aesthetics and protection. However, paint can succumb to weathering, leading to peeling, cracking, chalking, and other issues. Knowing how to identify and fix common exterior paint problems will save you time and money on repairs. This article covers the ten most widespread exterior paint issues and solutions.
Fading and Dullness
Over time, exterior paints will fade and become dull from exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. Fading can occur rapidly and make your home look weathered and worn.
How to Fix It:
- Power wash the surface to remove dirt, mildew, and chalking that may be dulling the appearance.
- Sand faded areas to rough up the surface and improve paint adhesion.
- Spot prime bare wood and patched areas with exterior primer.
- Apply a quality exterior paint formulated with UV absorbers to reflect sunlight and prevent fading. Satin or semi-gloss sheens hold color better than flat.
- Repaint every 3-5 years to keep paint looking vibrant. South or west facing walls may need painting more frequently.
Chalking
Chalking occurs when binding agents in the paint film break down from sun exposure and weather, causing the paint to oxidize. It appears as a chalky powder on the surface and leads to fading.
How to Fix It:
- Remove loose chalking by power washing.
- For heavy chalking, use a chalk binder primer to seal the surface.
- Scrape off any remaining chalk residue.
- Feather paint edges to blend faded areas with sound paint.
- Apply a quality acrylic latex paint. Stay away from cheaper grades, which chalk more.
- Repaint every 3-5 years before chalking becomes severe.
Blistering and Peeling
Blistering appears as bubbles under the paint surface that rupture to peel away the paint film. Peeling can also happen when the paint isn’t adhered well. Moisture getting under the paint is the most common cause.
How to Fix It:
- Use a utility knife to remove all loose paint.
- Sand rough edges to feather out the surface.
- Clean and dry the surface thoroughly.
- Spot prime bare areas with exterior primer formulated for adhesion.
- Check for and eliminate any moisture issues.
- Apply high-quality acrylic latex paint in the right sheen. Semi-gloss resists blistering best.
- Maintain paint by power washing and recoating every 3-5 years.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Exterior surfaces exposed to moisture can develop black or green mold and mildew growth. This not only looks bad but can damage the paint and lead to deterioration.
How to Fix It:
- Mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts water and scrub to remove mold and mildew. Rinse thoroughly.
- Identify and correct the source of moisture, like leaky gutters or sprinklers spraying the house.
- Apply exterior primer and paint formulated with mold and mildew resistance.
- Improve ventilation and air circulation around problem areas.
- Maintain paint by recoating every 2-3 years before growth can take hold.
Staining from Rust, Water, and Wood Tannins
Iron railings, gutters, sprinklers, and other sources can cause orange rust stains. Water stains appear as dark streaks from rain and irrigation. Tannins in redwood and cedar bleed through paint as brownish stains.
How to Fix It:
- Remove surface stains by scrubbing with alcohol, trisodium phosphate (TSP), or a commercial stain-removing product.
- Seal severe stains with a stain-blocking primer.
- Eliminate the source of staining if possible, like replacing corroded metal components.
- Apply an exterior paint formulated to resist stains.
- Use a weather-resistant coating on metals, like rust-inhibiting spray paint.
- Paint over tannin-prone woods with an oil-based primer.
Poor Color Adhesion
Some paint colors, especially darker hues like reds, browns, and blues, have inferior pigment adhesion. The color coating can peel off in sheets revealing the white primer beneath.
How to Fix It:
- Remove all loose paint down to a sound layer.
- Lightly sand to smooth and prepare the surface.
- Use a primer tinted close to the final color for optimal adhesion.
- Apply quality paint made for strong color adhesion. Stay away from deep tones.
- Ask your paint store for recommended primer/paint systems if repainting a problem color.
- Plan to repaint problem colors more frequently, like every 2-3 years.
Efflorescence
A white powdery substance that emerges through the paint film. Efflorescence is caused by moisture reacting with salts in masonry and cementitious siding and trim boards behind the paint.
How to Fix It:
- Let new stucco and masonry cure fully, for at least 30 days before painting.
- Remove efflorescence by scrubbing with white vinegar or TSP solution. Rinse thoroughly.
- Spot prime affected areas with an alkali-resistant efflorescence-blocking primer.
- Use paints formulated for maximum adhesion and alkali resistance.
- Address exterior moisture sources, improve drainage, and ventilate behind siding.
Alligatoring
Extensive cracking that makes the paint look like alligator skin. This happens when a hard, glossy topcoat is applied over a soft primer or old paint layer. The two surfaces expand and contract at different rates causing the paint to crack.
How to Fix It:
- Remove all paint by scraping, sanding, and stripping down to the bare substrate.
- Allow surface to dry fully before priming and painting.
- Apply an exterior primer to create a uniform sealed surface.
- Use compatible paint coats, like latex over latex primer.
- Avoid painting oil-based paint over latex or applying glossy enamel over flat paint.
Wrinkling
Wrinkling appears as wrinkles or ripples in the paint film. It is caused when the top layer of paint dries faster than the underlying layer. Using paint that is too thick can also cause wrinkling.
How to Fix It:
- Remove wrinkled paint using a paint stripper, scraper, and sandpaper.
- Apply a thin first coat as a primer if repainting over glossy or smooth surfaces.
- Use paint properly thinned to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Apply paint layers in thin, even coats allowing proper drying between coats.
- Avoid painting in hot direct sun or onto hot surfaces which causes fast drying.
- For oil-based paints, wait at least 8 hours between coats.
Surfactant Leaching
A splotchy bleeding or dark staining that can develop after painting. Surfactants in latex paints rise to the surface as the paint dries. Moisture draws surfactants out through the paint film leaving blotchy spots.
How to Fix It:
- Allow new paint to cure fully for 2-3 weeks. Leaching often disappears as paint dries.
- Wash leached areas gently with water and recoat using the same paint.
- Use a paint without surfactants that meets standards for low-VOC and low surfactant leaching.
- Avoid exterior painting in cool, damp conditions which can aggravate leaching.
- Reduce water spraying onto freshly painted surfaces.
Pinholes
Tiny holes that form in the paint film when bubbles of air or solvent in the wet paint rise to the surface and burst. Some causes include painting over dusty surfaces, thinning paint too much, or spraying paint in hot conditions.
How to Fix It:
- Lightly sand and clean surface before painting to remove dust.
- Apply paint properly thinned and mixed as directed.
- Paint in dry conditions avoiding hot sun to prevent pinhole formation.
- After painting, use a solvent-dampened rag to bursting any air bubbles in wet paint.
- Apply multiple thin coats allowing proper drying between rather than one thick coat.
- Backroll sprayed paint coats to help smooth and minimize pinholing.
- Use an airless sprayer properly adjusted to provide an even coating.
Conclusion
Regularly maintaining exterior paint is crucial for both visual appeal and protecting your home’s surfaces from deterioration. Addressing problems promptly will save time and money compared to letting issues progress. With the right prep work, high-quality primer and paint, and following best application practices, you can achieve a durable, long-lasting paint job that stands up to the elements. Check surfaces yearly and recoat your home’s exterior every 3-5 years or when you start to notice any of these common paint flaws developing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Exterior Paint Problems and Solutions
Q: What causes exterior paint to peel?
A: Paint peeling is most often caused by moisture getting under the paint from rain, lawn sprinklers, damp weather, or inadequate prep work. Blistering, cracking, improper primer, and poor surface preparation can also lead to peeling.
Q: How do you fix paint that is peeling?
A: To fix peeling paint:
- Remove all loose and flaking paint with a scraper, putty knife, and sandpaper.
- Sand edges to feather and smooth the surface.
- Clean, dry, and spot prime bare wood and patched areas.
- Apply exterior primer and paint suited for maximum adhesion.
- Address any moisture sources causing the peeling.
Q: Why is my exterior paint chalking?
A: Chalking happens when sun exposure degrades the paint binders, causing the finish to oxidize into a chalky powder. Lower quality paint chalks faster. Darker colors also tend to chalk more noticeably.
Q: How do you stop exterior paint from chalking?
A: To prevent exterior paint chalking:
- Wash to remove existing chalking then prime bare spots.
- Use a quality acrylic latex paint instead of cheaper grades.
- Opt for lighter colored paints which resist chalking better than darks.
- Repaint regularly every 3-5 years before chalking has a chance to develop.
Q: What causes exterior paint to bubble up?
A: Blistering in exterior paint is caused by moisture getting underneath the paint film, resulting in bubbles and peeling. Common moisture sources include rain, irrigation, damp weather, and inadequate surface prep.
Q: How do you fix exterior paint that is bubbling?
A: To correct blistered exterior paint:
- Remove all loose bubbling paint with a scraper down to a sound layer.
- Sand smooth any rough edges and spot prime.
- Check for and address sources of moisture problems.
- Use a primer and paint designed for maximum adhesion.
- Apply paint only in dry conditions.
Q: Why is there mold growing on exterior painted surfaces?
A: Mold and mildew grow outdoors when paint coats are chronically exposed to moisture. Shaded areas, damp climates, and weather extremes promote fungal growth.
Q: What is the best exterior paint to resist mold and mildew?
A: To inhibit mold and mildew growth on outdoor painted surfaces:
- Clean off existing mold and mildew growth with bleach solution.
- Reduce moisture exposure through ventilation, drainage, and correcting runoff issues.
- Use an EPA registered exterior paint with added mold/mildew resistant ingredients.
- Recoat every 2-3 years before growth can take hold.
Q: How do you remove stains from exterior painted surfaces?
A: For iron/rust stains, use oxalic acid or rust removers. For water stains, use alcohol, ammonia, or TSP. For wood tannin stains, use oxalic acid solutions or commercial cleaners. Always test cleaners first and rinse thoroughly.
Q: How do you stop exterior paint colors from fading?
A: To maximize color retention:
- Use top quality exterior paints formulated with UV absorbers.
- Select darker, richer paint colors which resist fading better than light colors.
- Apply satin or semi-gloss sheens that hold color longer than flat.
- Repaint more often every 3-5 years before fading becomes severe.
Q: What causes paint to crack and alligator?
A: Alligatoring stems from painting a hard, glossy topcoat over a more flexible paint layer. The two surfaces expand/contract at different rates causing cracks.
Q: How do you fix alligatoring paint?
A: To correct alligatoring:
- Remove all paint completely down to the original surface.
- Allow the surface to dry fully before repainting.
- Apply primer first to create a uniform base.
- Use compatible paint coats such as latex over latex primer.
Q: Why do pinholes form in exterior paint?
A: Pinholes result when air bubbles rise through the paint and burst as it dries. Causes include dusty surfaces, over-thinned paint, hot conditions, and improper application methods.
Q: How can pinholes in exterior paint be prevented?
A: To prevent pinholes when painting exteriors:
- Lightly sand and clean surfaces before painting.
- Mix and thin paint properly based on label directions.
- Paint in dry conditions avoiding direct sunlight.
- Apply multiple thin coats allowing proper drying between.
- Backroll spray applied paint coats.
Q: How long does exterior paint last?
A: On average, exterior paints last 3-5 years before needing to be repainted, depending on the quality of materials used and exposure levels. South or west facing walls may need repainting more often. Proper prep work and application using compatible paint coats improves longevity.