Hey, it happens. Even the most tenured finisher runs into head-scratchers from time to time. Whether it’s an issue with your sprayer or plain old user malfunction, there are some coating issues that pop up no matter how long you’ve been in the game.
Let’s dive into five of the most common coating issues, how to get them sorted, and how to tap the pros at Accessa Marketplace Solutions if you need an extra hand to get back on track.
1. Uneven Application
What’s the Problem?
Inconsistent distribution, patches of thicker or thinner coverage — it’s a surefire sign that something went haywire during application. Uneven coatings can create a textured “orange peel” appearance instead of the smooth, even coat we all strive for.
What’s the Cause?
Uneven application can boil down to issues with your technique, your spray gun, or even your chosen paint.
- Inconsistent spray technique: Not maintaining a steady distance from the surface or applying uneven pressure can result in an inconsistent coating.
- Incorrect spray gun settings: Too high or low a pressure can cause uneven dispersion of paint, leading to an inconsistent finish.
- Improper paint viscosity: Paint that’s too thick or too thin may not spray evenly.
What’s the Solution?
Here’s how to check your technique, equipment, and paint to make sure you get that smooth, even finish every time.
- Maintain a consistent distance (6-8 inches) between the spray gun and the surface, and use smooth, even strokes.
- Adjust the spray gun settings to the recommended pressure for your specific paint and project. Need help? Schedule an AMS tech huddle!
- Thin the paint if it’s too viscous, and check the manufacturer’s guidelines for the correct consistency. Also, make sure to confirm that you equipment is heavy duty enough to handle a high viscosity coating. If you bought from AMS, the product page has all the documentation you need to find the recommended consistency.
2. Peeling
What’s the Problem?
If there’s one thing that can cause groans down the line, it’s peeling. Peeling can happen right after application, or it can take its sweet time and pop up weeks or months later. Not only does peeling look bad, it can compromise the integrity of the coating, too.
What’s the Cause?
The good news is that peeling doesn’t happen because of improper technique, so you’re off the hook there. The bad news is that it can signal a bigger problem that happened before you even picked up the sprayer.
- Poor surface preparation: Failing to clean, sand, or prime the surface can prevent the paint from adhering properly.
- Incompatible paint: If the paint isn’t designed for the surface material, it may not bond well, leading to peeling.
- Excessive humidity or moisture: Moisture in the air or on the surface during application can cause poor adhesion.
What’s the Solution?
Here are three surefire ways to prevent peeling for your next project:
- Properly prepare the surface by cleaning, sanding, and priming it before applying the paint. Make sure it’s dry and free from dirt, oils, or other contaminants. Need abrasives? We’ve got your back.
- Choose the right paint for the material you’re working with, whether it’s wood, metal, plastic, or another substrate. When you shop AMS, you can see coating documentation right on every product page.
- Control environmental conditions: Apply coatings in consistent temperatures, and avoid spraying in extreme heat or cold temperatures. Check to see what humidity your coating likes to be sprayed in. Most waterborne coatings like to be between 50-70%. Easier said than done sometimes, but ideal conditions lead to ideal finishes more often than not.
3. Bubbles
What’s the Problem?
No secrets here — bubbles mean small pockets of air got trapped beneath the paint film and made that pockmarked, bumpy texture that finishers hate to see. Bubbles are one of the biggest enemies of that perfect smooth and glossy finish.
What’s the Cause?
Bubbles usually boil down to an issue with spray technique, an incompatibility between your chosen coating and your equipment, or environmental factors.
- Over-spraying or applying too thick a coat: When paint is applied too heavily, it can trap air beneath the surface, causing bubbles.
- Incorrect paint viscosity: Paint that’s too thick or too thin can cause air bubbles to form during the spraying process.
- Over agitation: If you are paddle mixing your coatings and you are whipping the paint up too rapidly, you can be adding bubbles directly into the paint.
- Low humidity: If you are spraying waterborne coatings in the winter, then you know low humidity can be your worst enemy.
What’s the Solution?
To avoid bubbles:
- Apply thin, even coats of paint, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next one.
- Thin the paint to the right viscosity according to manufacturer instructions, ensuring smooth flow through the spray gun. AMS’ pros are on deck to help if you ever need a hand finding the right match.
- Mix your coating products in a slow even manner.
- Add a humidifier in the winter months to help maintain consistent humidity levels above 50%
4. Cracking
What’s the Problem?
Cracks, fissures — whatever you call ‘em, we don’t wanna see ‘em in our finished project. Cracking is particularly frustrating because it can happen right after application or further down the line, especially as the surface takes on wear and tear.
What’s the Cause?
Cracking can happen due to environmental issues that are out of your control, but issues with spraying technique might also be to blame.
- Paint applied too thick: If the paint layer is too thick, it may dry unevenly, causing the top layers to crack while the underlayers remain soft.
- Improper curing time: Not allowing the paint to cure properly between coats or before exposure to heat or moisture can lead to cracking.
- Environmental factors: Rapid temperature changes or humidity can cause the paint to shrink, leading to cracks.
What’s the Solution?
Technique is the name of the game to prevent cracking. Here are some tips.
- Apply multiple thin coats instead of one thick layer. Let each coat dry fully before applying the next.
- Follow recommended drying times between coats and before exposing the surface to elements like heat, humidity, or heavy use. Check your coating’s product page here on AMS to find drying times and other documentation you’ll need for a proper finish.
- Control environmental factors by painting in moderate temperatures and avoiding drastic temperature shifts during curing.
5. Sags & Drips
What’s the Problem?
There’s no hiding drips, at least not for long. Aside from ruining the appearance of the finish, drips can cause uneven layers that require additional sanding or touch-ups once your project has fully dried.
What’s the Cause?
Drips might feel like a rookie mistake, but they can happen to even the most experienced finisher. Here are the most common causes.
- Too much paint applied in one pass: Applying too much paint at once can cause it to run, creating a curtain of sags.
- Spray gun held too close to the surface: If the spray gun is too close to the surface, the paint may be deposited in a heavy layer that doesn’t have time to settle evenly.
- Incorrect pressure settings & tip size: Using too high a pressure or too large a tip size can lead to over-application and subsequent sagging.
- Using too small of a fan pattern: When your fan pattern is too tight, your overlap can lead to sagging because the paint particles are not spreading out enough.
What’s the Solution?
Skip the sags with these three techniques.
- Apply lighter coats and build up coverage gradually. Let each layer dry fully before applying the next.
- Adjust pressure settings and tip size to ensure an even, controlled flow of paint to the substrate
- Increase the fan pattern to help spread your paint particle distribution.
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Maintain a consistent distance between the spray gun and the surface to avoid applying too much paint at once.
- Airless: 10-14 inches
- Air-Assisted: 8-12 inches
- HVLP: 6-8 inches
- Conventional: 8-10 inches
Troubleshoot with AMS
A flawless finish is always within reach if you’ve got the right support. Accessa Marketplace Solutions’ painting pros are on hand to help you troubleshoot your coating issues and get that perfect finish. Just schedule a tech huddle and let’s get your project back on track.
