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Mud Cracking
MUD CRACKING is deep, irregular cracks resembling dried mud in the dry paint film.
- Paint is applied too thickly, usually over a porous surface
- Paint is allowed to build up in corners during application
- Paint is applied too thickly, to hide the inherent poor coverage of a lower quality paint
- Remove mud cracking by scraping and sanding back to a sound, smooth surface finish.
- Prime with Prominent Ultra Prime and repaint using a premium quality paint, for example, Prominent Premium Satin Silk or Select Sheen.
- This type of paint is likely to prevent the recurrence of mud cracking, because it is relatively flexible compared to alkyd, oil-based and ordinary PVA paints.
- Quality paints have a higher solids content, which reduces the tendency to mud crack.
- They also have very good application and hiding properties, which minimise the tendency to apply too thick a coat of paint.
Damp
DAMP is evident with the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a wall, and is the result of either intrusion from the outside or condensation from within the structure.
- Leaking roofs
- Defects in and around chimneys
- Defects in gutters and down pipes
- Penetrating dampness through walls, around windows, window sills, parapet walls and cracks in plaster
- Rising damp
- Groundwater and capillary movement
- Leaking pipes
- Painting over damp areas without fixing the problem is a fruitless exercise.
- It is advisable to consult with us for the correct advice to resolve the damp problem before proceeding with the painting process.
Damp
DAMP is evident with the presence of unwanted moisture in the structure of a wall, and is the result of either intrusion from the outside or condensation from within the structure.
- Leaking roofs
- Defects in and around chimneys
- Defects in gutters and down pipes
- Penetrating dampness through walls, around windows, window sills, parapet walls and cracks in plaster
- Rising damp
- Groundwater and capillary movement
- Leaking pipes
- Painting over damp areas without fixing the problem is a fruitless exercise.
- It is advisable to consult with us for the correct advice to resolve the damp problem before proceeding with the painting process.
Burnishing
BURNISHING is evident in an area that shows an unwanted increase in the gloss or sheen of a paint film when it is subjected to rubbing or scrubbing or has an object brush up against it.
- The use of matt paint in high traffic areas, where a sheen paint would have been more desirable
- Frequent washing and spot cleaning
- Use of lower grades of paint with poor stain and scrub resistance
- Washing of the painted surface with cleaning products containing ammonia
- Paint heavy traffic areas that require regular cleaning with a top-quality, washable product, for example, Prominent Paints Select Sheen or Prominent Paints Satin Silk
- Rather use a low sheen, washable product than a matt finish product.
- Clean painted surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge and non-abrasive, paint friendly cleansers.
Alligatoring
ALLIGATORING is evident when the pattern of the cracking in the paint film resembles the scales of an alligator. These cracks generally do not expose the substrate (e.g. the surface that has been painted).
- Application of an extremely hard, rigid coating, like an alkyd enamel, over a more flexible coating, like a water-based primer
- Application of a topcoat before the undercoat is completely dry
- Natural aging of oil-based paints as temperatures fluctuate (the constant expansion and contraction result in the loss of paint film elasticity)
- Remove the old affected coating, either mechanically through scraping and sanding, or by using a paint remover or heat gun.
- The surface should then be primed with a suitable primer, before repainting with a suitable quality topcoat.
- The primer selection will depend on the type of surface to be primed and the topcoat selection will depend on the environment that the application will be exposed to.
For example: on an exterior plastered surface, use Prominent Plaster Primer and overcoat with Prominent Premium Textured or Select Sheen.
Alligatoring
ALLIGATORING is evident when the pattern of the cracking in the paint film resembles the scales of an alligator. These cracks generally do not expose the substrate (e.g. the surface that has been painted).
- Application of an extremely hard, rigid coating, like an alkyd enamel, over a more flexible coating, like a water-based primer
- Application of a topcoat before the undercoat is completely dry
- Natural aging of oil-based paints as temperatures fluctuate (the constant expansion and contraction result in the loss of paint film elasticity)
- Remove the old affected coating, either mechanically through scraping and sanding, or by using a paint remover or heat gun.
- The surface should then be primed with a suitable primer, before repainting with a suitable quality topcoat.
- The primer selection will depend on the type of surface to be primed and the topcoat selection will depend on the environment that the application will be exposed to.
For example: on an exterior plastered surface, use Prominent Plaster Primer and overcoat with Prominent Premium Textured or Select Sheen.
Fungal Growth
FUNGAL GROWTH is visible as a green, black or brownish-red growth on the surface of paint.
- Forms most often on painted areas where the surface tends to be damp, or receives little or no direct sunlight
- The application of paints that are not formulated to stand up to areas exposed to high humidity, condensation and poor ventilation on a daily basis, for example, bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms
- Failure to prime bare wooden surfaces with a suitable primer before applying the topcoat
- Painting over a surface or coating that is contaminated with fungal spores
- Dilute Prominent Fungal Wash/water mixture as stated on the container and apply with a brush or sponge to the affected surface area.
- Allow to react for 3 hours before washing off with water and a nylon brush.
- Repeat this process if any traces of fungal spores are still visible on the treated surface.
- Neutralise the areas with a diluted Prominent General Purpose Cleaner solution as stated on the container, rinse off with clean water and allow to dry.
- Apply a suitable primer, for example, Prominent Damp Cure, followed by a quality topcoat that is suitable for the environment that it will be exposed to, for example, Prominent Satin Silk or Select Sheen for coastal applications.
Efflorescence
EFFLORESCENCE is visible as soluble salts that form on the surface of plaster or brick work, usually visible as loose white powder or as feathery crystals.
- Failure to adequately prepare the surface by removing all current traces of efflorescence
- Insufficient curing time for new cement before painting
- Contamination from seawater spray or exposure of unpainted masonry to the elements for long periods of time
- Using a primer with low alkali resistance
- Failure to attend to all the waterproofing aspects prior to painting
- No remedy other than to prevent it from occurring by eliminating abnormal moisture levels in the masonry surface.
- Remedy the cause of the excessive moisture in the masonry first.
- Remove the efflorescence and all other loose material with a wire brush, a power brush, or low-pressure washing, and then thoroughly rinse the surface and allow it to dry out.
- When all traces of efflorescence have been removed, prime the affected area with Prominent Damp Cure, allow it to dry for 24 hours and apply a suitable quality topcoat.
Efflorescence
EFFLORESCENCE is visible as soluble salts that form on the surface of plaster or brick work, usually visible as loose white powder or as feathery crystals.
- Failure to adequately prepare the surface by removing all current traces of efflorescence
- Insufficient curing time for new cement before painting
- Contamination from seawater spray or exposure of unpainted masonry to the elements for long periods of time
- Using a primer with low alkali resistance
- Failure to attend to all the waterproofing aspects prior to painting
- No remedy other than to prevent it from occurring by eliminating abnormal moisture levels in the masonry surface.
- Remedy the cause of the excessive moisture in the masonry first.
- Remove the efflorescence and all other loose material with a wire brush, a power brush, or low-pressure washing, and then thoroughly rinse the surface and allow it to dry out.
- When all traces of efflorescence have been removed, prime the affected area with Prominent Damp Cure, allow it to dry for 24 hours and apply a suitable quality topcoat.
Chalking
CHALKING is evident with the formation of fine, white powder on the surface of the paint film due to weathering, which may give the appearance of colour fading.
- The use of a low-grade, highly pigmented paint
- The use of an interior paint for an outdoor application
- Over-exposure of a coating which does not have adequate UV resistance
- Painting of acrylic primers on walls with moisture contents of higher than 15%
- Over-thinning of a coating Over-spreading of the primer and/or the topcoat
- Scrape or sand the substrate to remove wrinkled coating.
- If using a primer such as Bonding Liquid, Surface Restorer or Plaster Primer, allow it to dry completely before applying a quality topcoat.
- The primer selection will depend on the type of surface to be primed
Picture framing
- A difference in appearance may occur when a wall is painted with a roller and the edges are cut in with a brush.
- Cut in and roller application must happen while paint film is still wet to form a consistent finish.
- If cut in with a brush happens after roller application, this might form a darker patch due to a thicker dry film thickness.
- If cut in appears lighter – Spot prime with original paint colour and wait until dry. Repaint the complete surface from corner to corner according to the technique explained above.
- If cut in appears darker – Roll the wall with the original paint colour up until cut in line. Repaint the complete surface from corner to corner according to technique explained above.
- OR – Sand entire surface until uniform in appearance and repaint the entire surface from corner to corner according to the technique explained above.
Picture framing
- A difference in appearance may occur when a wall is painted with a roller and the edges are cut in with a brush.
- Cut in and roller application must happen while paint film is still wet to form a consistent finish.
- If cut in with a brush happens after roller application, this might form a darker patch due to a thicker dry film thickness.
- If cut in appears lighter – Spot prime with original paint colour and wait until dry. Repaint the complete surface from corner to corner according to the technique explained above.
- If cut in appears darker – Roll the wall with the original paint colour up until cut in line. Repaint the complete surface from corner to corner according to technique explained above.
- OR – Sand entire surface until uniform in appearance and repaint the entire surface from corner to corner according to the technique explained above.
Rust or Flaking Paint on Metal Surfaces
Galvanized and mild steel.
- Mild steel: remove rust, loose and flaking paint.
- Spot prime with a rust converter where rust cannot be completely removed, apply Prominent Rust Primer on all bare areas before repainting.
- Galvanized steel: remove rust, loose and flaking paint.
- Apply Prominent Rust Primer on all bare areas before repainting. If all the rust cannot be removed it is suggested to replace galvanized sheet.
- Do not paint over rusted surfaces or in moist or humid conditions.
- Wash with Multi Surface Etch Cleaner and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Prominent Rust Primer primer over a clean, dry and stabile surface before application of topcoat.
Blisters
Blisters or bubbles in dry film.
- Remove loose and peeling paint.
- Allow surface to dry until moisture content is below 15%.
- Apply a deep penetrating plaster primer, Prominent Plaster Primer, Damp Cure / Select Waterbase Plaster Primer to stabilize surface before repainting.
- Do not paint over substrates with a moisture content more than 15%.
- Avoid painting in moist conditions or in direct sunlight as this may result in solvent entrapment / heat blisters.
Blisters
Blisters or bubbles in dry film.
- Remove loose and peeling paint.
- Allow surface to dry until moisture content is below 15%.
- Apply a deep penetrating plaster primer, Prominent Plaster Primer, Damp Cure / Select Waterbase Plaster Primer to stabilize surface before repainting.
- Do not paint over substrates with a moisture content more than 15%.
- Avoid painting in moist conditions or in direct sunlight as this may result in solvent entrapment / heat blisters.
Touch-ups
Colour shade differences caused by touch-up spots being an additional dry film thickness which might reflect lighter or darker. It is not recommended to do touch-ups. If repairs need to be done on painted walls – Repair, spot prime with plaster primer and allow to dry, spot prime with original paint and colour and allow to dry. Repaint the complete surface from corner to corner according to the methodology explained above.
- Sand touch-up marks to a uniform finish and repaint the complete surface from corner to corner according to the technique explained above.
- It is not recommended to do touch-ups, especially with sheen paints.
Ceiling stain marks
Yellow / brown or black stains.
- Water stains: allow to dry and apply Universal Undercoat as a primer, follow by recommended final coat.
- Mildew / algae: wash affected areas with Prominent Fungal wash, rinse well with clean water, allow to dry and apply Universal Undercoat, follow by recommended final coat.
- When painting in areas with high humidity or moisture like coastal areas, bathrooms or kitchens, use coatings with anti-fungal and bacterial resistant properties i.e.
Ceiling stain marks
Yellow / brown or black stains.
- Water stains: allow to dry and apply Universal Undercoat as a primer, follow by recommended final coat.
- Mildew / algae: wash affected areas with Prominent Fungal wash, rinse well with clean water, allow to dry and apply Universal Undercoat, follow by recommended final coat.
- When painting in areas with high humidity or moisture like coastal areas, bathrooms or kitchens, use coatings with anti-fungal and bacterial resistant properties i.e.