General Painting FAQs

Why do both spraying and rolling sometimes produce a mottled "orange peel" effect?

When spraying, insufficient thinning can create this "dimple" effect on a paint coating. The same is true when using a roller, or it could be the wrong type of roller for the product used. This is normal for such methods of application. To minimise roller mottle, use the shortest pile roller suitable for the finish In any case, to correct the fault rub down with wet & dry abrasion, using water or a suitable solvent, then rinse down and allow to dry thoroughly prior to applying a new paint coating.

What causes "blooming" and how can I avoid it?

This greyish, milky-coloured "haze" on the surface of the paint film is usually caused by moisture attack during drying particularly when painting too late in the day out of season. Thoroughly clean down the surface to remove all dirt, grease and surface contaminants, then rub down with a suitable abrasive and dust off prior to re-applying paint.

I've missed a few small areas when applying a coat of paint. Can I just touch them in?

Unfortunately, no. You'll need to thoroughly clean down the surfaces to remove all dirt, grease and surface contaminants. Then rub down with a suitable abrasive and dust off before applying a new coat of paint to the affected area.

What do I do with rubber seals?

Some rubber and plastics contain high levels of chemicals called plasticizers. When these are in contact with each other and other materials, such as paint, a chemical reaction can occur, which can make these surfaces feel tacky to touch. This particularly affects water-based acrylic paints.This can mean that when a door seal is pressed against the door or door jam, the painted surface and the rubber seal may stick together. This is known as blocking and can happen even when the paint is fully dried and cured.We recommend using rubber strips made from Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) as door seals and draft excluders because they are less likely to be affected.

We make this very clear in our Site Work Instructions.SW 7.02 Water-borne coatingsWater-borne coatings can be sensitive to rubber containing plasticisers such as flexible PVC strips.The paint film may resolve due to these plasticisers and become sticky, it is advisable to replace such flexible strips for those made of EPDM rubber.We recommend that you seek the manufacturer’s advice regarding this problem.

General Painting FAQs