6.

Common Defects
A paint defect is in many cases due to a number of In general, paint defects can occur during:
causes. In some cases, several defects may occur
simultaneously and hinder the determination of the • Paint storage;
causes and redemption works.
• Application, drying and curing; and

To achieve good painting work, applicators and site • Service life.

supervisors should understand the causes and
preventive measures of common defects that occur at
different stages of works. They should also be familiar
with the remedial measures that can be taken to rectify
any unforeseen defect.
Refer to Table 6.1 to 6.3 for details on the causes,
preventive measures and remedial methods for these
common defects.

Table 6.1 Common Defects During Paint Storage

Defects Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods

Settling • Insufficient stirring • Store as • Stir paint to a

Settlement of pigment to the bottom during storage recommended by homogeneous
and failure to re-disperse. manufacturer consistency
• Storage for long
duration or under • Avoid direct sunlight • Employ mechanical
excessively warm and long storage stirring for heavy

common defects
condition settling
• Dilute with
• Excessive dilution or appropriate thinners • Move to appropriate
dilution with as recommended by storage conditions as
unsuitable materials manufacturer recommended by
manufacturer

• Discard paint

Skinning • Use of non-airtight • Use airtight container • Remove the layer of

Formation of a layer of skin on the container skin and stir paint to
container. • Avoid unnecessary homogeneous
• Poor formulation opening of can consistency
such as lack of anti-
skinning agent • Store as • Inform manufacturer
recommended by for poor formulation
• Storage under manufacturer
excessively warm • Move to appropriate
condition storage conditions as
recommended by
manufacturer

Gelling • Use of contaminated • Use clean tools and • Discard paint

Decreasing viscosity caused by tools and water/solvents
bacterial degradation of the protein water/solvents
binder or other thickening agents. • Avoid mixing
This is often accompanied by an • Mixing of different different brands or
offensive odour. brands or types of types of paints
paints

30
 Table 6.2 Common Defects During Application, Drying and Curing

Defects Possible Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods

Bleeding • Frequent brushing on • Use proper • Allow drying before

Leaching out of the existing paint the same spot application method painting over with an
film. appropriate “buffer”
• Use of incompatible • Apply with coat (refer to
coats or thinner appropriate coat and manufacturer’s
thinner in accordance recommendation)
with manufacturer’s
recommendation

Running/ Sagging/ Curtaining • Painting of • Increase frequency of • Remove paint film,

Flowing or dripping of paint from excessively thick film painting thin film sand, clean and
upper vertical surface to the lower layer at one time re-paint as in
part forming a tear-like or wavy • Lower dilution ratio “Preventive Measure”
appearance. • Excessive dilution even where
operability is poor
• Application of gloss
paint on existing • Sand and clean
paints or surface receiving surface
without sanding before application

• Apply with
appropriate coat in
common defects

accordance to
manufacturer’s
recommendation

Wrinkling/ Rivelling • Application of thick • Sand and clean • Remove paint film,
Formation of undulating wrinkling Oil-Alkyd, which receiving surface sand, clean and
film. causes shrinkage of before application re-paint as in
paint film. This tends “Preventive Measure”
to occur when drying • Apply with
is expedited at high appropriate coat in
temperatures accordance with
manufacturer’s
• Painting over recommendation
insufficiently dried
paint • Avoid painting in
thick film

• Avoid accumulation
of paint around bolts,
angles, etc.

• Observe overcoating
intervals in
accordance with
manufacturer’s
recommendation

Crawling • Painting over surfaces • Sand and clean • Remove paint film,
Slipping or inability to form a film. that are not prepared, receiving surface sand, clean and
e.g. sand, dirt and before application re-paint as in
dust on the surface “Preventive Measure”
• Apply with
appropriate coat in
accordance with
manufacturer’s
recommendation

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Defects Possible Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods

Crating • Painting over surfaces • Sand and clean • Remove paint film,
Formation of small bowl-shaped that are not prepared, receiving surface sand, clean and
depressions. e.g. sand, dirt and before application re-paint as in
dust on the surface “Preventive Measure”
• Apply with
• Use of contaminated appropriate coat as
tools and recommended by
water/solvents manufacturer

• Use clean tools and

water/solvents

Lifting • Use of incompatible • Observe overcoating • Remove paint film,

Attacking by successive coating on coats, which cause intervals as sand, clean and
existing paint. shrinkage of paint recommended by re-paint as in
film or attacking of manufacturer “Preventive Measure”
thinner on undercoat
• Allow undercoating
to dry before
application of
successive coating

• Sand and clean

common defects
receiving surface
before application

• Apply with
appropriate coat as
recommended by
manufacturer

Prolonged Drying Time
Inability to dry after application.
• Incorrect mixing • Mix as recommended • Remove paint film,
by manufacturer sand, clean and
• Use of defective paint re-paint as in
• Discard paint if it is “Preventive Measure”
defective

Loss of Gloss • Application on rough • Increase frequency of • Remove paint film,

Reduction of lustre on drying caused or unclean surfaces painting in thin film sand, clean and
by severe absorption of undercoat. re-paint as in
• Inadequate or • Paint adequate “Preventive Measure”
excessive dilution thickness of film

• Use of unsuitable • Use appropriate

thinner thinner as
recommended by
• Application of manufacturer
excessively thin film
• Avoid painting at
• Result as blushing high humidity
occur
• Prepare receiving
• Drying occurs in the surface and apply
presence of excessive appropriate sealer
moisture and
pollutant

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 Table 6.3 Common Defects During Service Life

Defects Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods

Efflorescence • Painting over • Paint on receiving • Remove

a) Migration of alkaline from insufficiently cured surface with moisture efflorescence,
cement based materials and plaster/concrete content not unstable matters and
crystallisation on the surface exceeding 6% loose paint film
as salts. (or refer to
manufacturer’s • Repaint on receiving
recommendation) surface with moisture
content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation)

• Seal off with

compatible alkali
resisting primer
before painting

• In most persistent
cases, epoxy-based
paint has been used
with good success but
at a higher cost
common defects

• Painting over • Paint on substrate • Patch cracks

substrate’s hairline with cracks not
cracks visible at 1.5m away • Repaint on receiving
from walls surface with moisture
content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation)

• Water seepage • Install proper • Arrest moisture

through roof, waterproofing system source
toilets etc before painting.
• Prepare and treat the
surface

• Repaint on receiving
surface with moisture
content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation)

• Rise of dampness • Install proper • Treat dampness

from ground waterproofing system
before painting • Repaint on receiving
surface with moisture
content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation)

33
Defects Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods

b) Migration of inherent wood gum • Painting over • Paint on receiving • Repaint on receiving
and resins in timber. insufficiently dried surface with moisture surface with moisture
timber content not content not
exceeding 15% exceeding 15%
• Failure to use primer (or refer to (or refer to
manufacturer’s manufacturer’s
recommendation) recommendation)

• Apply appropriate • Apply appropriate

primer to seal the primer to seal the
surface before surface before
painting with the repainting with the
undercoat and undercoat and
topcoat topcoat

• Observe overcoating
intervals in
accordance with
manufacturer’s
recommendations

c) Discolouration of paintwork • Failure to remove • Employ good surface • Clean surface

on metals. unstable matter preparation before thoroughly before
during surface painting repainting
preparation

common defects
Deterioration / Erosion of Pigment • Use of vibrant • Select colours that are • Remove powder and
colours paint with more stable unstable matter
organic particles that
are easily susceptible • Use appropriate • Repaint with
to UV degradation coating system appropriate coating
system
• Use of paint with
water sensitive • Select colours that are
pigments more stable

• Use of paint with low

quality emulsions

Yellowing • Use of paint with • Use non-yellowing • Prepare surface and

certain ingredients, paints repaint with non-
e.g. yellowing epoxy yellowing paints
and alkyd resins,
which are easily
affected by light, heat
or environmental
contaminants

Saponification • Use of alkyd-based • Avoid using alkyd- • Remove paint work

paints on cement based paints on and repaint with
based materials. The cement based appropriate system
alkalis from the surfaces
cement attack the oil
in the alkyd resin • Use appropriate
coating system

34
 Defects Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods

Chalking • Use of non- • Use weather resistant • Prepare surface and

Natural ageing of paint. The extent weathering resistant paint for areas repaint with
of chalking will depend on paint paint exposed to weather appropriate system
formulation and surface exposure or UV
to weather.

Peeling & Flaking Paint • Water seepage • Install proper • Arrest moisture
a) Moisture related through roof, waterproofing system source
toilets etc before painting
• Prepare and treat the
surface

• Repaint on receiving
surface with moisture
content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation)
common defects

• Painting over • Paint on receiving • Remove efflorescence,

insufficiently cured surface with moisture unstable matters and
plaster/ concrete content not loose paint film
exceeding 6%
(or refer to • Repaint on receiving
manufacturer’s surface with moisture
recommendation) content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation)

b) Incorrect Paint System • Failure to use • Prime/seal all bare • Remove all defective
primer/sealer surfaces with paint work and
appropriate primer prepare the surface
• Failure to use etching or sealer
primer for non- • Repaint with
ferrous metals appropriate system

• Use of poor alkali-

resisting
primer/undercoats or
insufficient
penetrative primer

c) Poor Surface Preparation • Failure to remove • Employ adequate • Remove all defective
unstable matter surface preparation to and loose paint film,
during surface remove all unstable and unstable matter
preparation matter such as plaster etc

• Use of water-soluble • Surface must be • Prime/seal the surface

putty/ poor adhering clean, dry and stable with appropriate
plaster before receiving paint primer/sealer to
further stabilise the
surface

• Re-coat with
appropriate coating
system

35
Defects Causes Preventive Measures
Blistering • Painting on a warm • Paint on receiving
This is a moisture-related surface
phenomenon. The amount of
moisture and flexibility of the paint • Moisture migration
film determine the size of the blister. through painted
surface
Staining • Use of details • Avoid details and
It should be noted that staining may that traps and
be attributed to improper design of accumulates dirt.
the building and its façade. Streak marks are
formed when dirt
gets washed down
along the sides of the
painted vertical walls,
especially on
elastomeric
coated wall.
• Yellowish-brown • Ensure all potential
stains caused by
moisture
• It can be an
indication of
waterproofing
problem in other
parts of the building
Rust Stains • Corrosion of metal • Protect and treat all
elements that are
attached to, adjacent
to or embedded in,
another substrate
• Installation of metal
elements that are not
treated
Remedial Methods
• Remove defective
surface with moisture paint and prepare
content not surface accordingly to
exceeding 6% receive paint
(or refer to
manufacturer’s • Repaint on receiving
recommendation) surface with moisture
content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation)
• Remove defective
coatings that trap and paint and prepare
attract dirt surface accordingly to
receive paint
• Apply with more
dirt-resistant paint
system
• Arrest moisture
water leakage and source.
common defects
condensation are in
check • Prepare and treat the
surface.
• Repaint on receiving
surface with moisture
content not
exceeding 6%
(or refer to
manufacturer’s
recommendation).
• Repaint with
appropriate system.
• Remove metal parts
metal parts from and treat the metal
corrosion surface
• Clean the walls and
prepare the surface to
receive painting
• Repaint with
appropriate system
36
 Defects Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods
Algae & Fungi Growth • Moisture source and • Avoid details with • Remove dirt and
• Temperature, humidity retention very rough textures or algae by high-
conditions and moisture content rough-cast plastered pressure water jetting
of the surfaces/ substrates would • Employing of details finishes
determine the likelihood of algae that assist growth of • Treat infected areas
and fungi formation. algae/fungi: • Use a more algae with fungicidal wash
resistant paint to
• On buildings, algae are generally (i) Profile of delay the onset of • Re-paint with a more
found outdoors such as external substrates; algae growth algae resistant paint
wall surfaces, as their chlorophyll rough-textured
characteristic requires sufficient finishes or • Use capping and
sunlight for growth. Whilst fungi rough concrete copings
are commonly found on internal surfaces
wall surfaces of damp areas such • Employ overhanging
as bathrooms. roofs to protect the
walls
• It should be noted that algae
growth may be attributed to
improper design of the building
and its façade.

OUTDOOR INDOOR Overhanging roof details Overhanging roof

SUNLIGHT
SPORES MOISTURE
common defects

SPORES MOISTURE

FUNGI
ALGAE
Capping details

(ii) Condensation-prone • Increase thickness of • Remove algae by

walls wall to provide more high-pressure water
insulation so as to jetting
minimise the
temperature difference • Supplemented with
manual scrubbing if
• Paint on receiving necessary
surface with moisture
Condensed content not • Treat infected areas
water promoted exceeding 6% with fungicidal wash
algae growth and (or refer to
trapped dirt. manufacturer’s • Insulate with an anti-
recommendation) condensation coating

• Incorporate • Re-paint with a more

insulating material in algae resistant paint
the concrete
• Divert condensed
• Apply a coating of water from air-con
anti-condensation outlets with trays and
paint piping

(iii) Concrete gutters & • Ensure proper • Remove dirt and

water-prone areas drainage algae by high-
pressure water jetting
• Avoid potential water
Wet area below retention • Treat infected areas
the potted plants with a fungicidal
• Use a more algae wash
resistant paint
Scupper drains • Re-paint with a more
• Ensure good algae resistant paint
workmanship

37
Defects Causes Preventive Measures Remedial Methods

(iv)Ledges • Ensure proper • Remove dirt and

drainage algae by high-
pressure water jetting
• Avoid potential water
retention • Treat infected areas
Ledges can cause with a fungicidal
back splashes by • Use a more algae wash
rainwater. If this resistant paint
rainwater is slow • Re-paint with a more
to run down or • Ensure good algae resistant paint
dry, it can create a workmanship
moist surface that
will induce algae
growth.

(v) Water drainage pipes • Ensure proper • Remove dirt and

and fittings drainage algae by high-
pressure water jetting
• Avoid potential water
retention • Treat infected areas
Corroded
with a fungicidal
down-pipes and
• Use a more algae wash

common defects
protruding air-
resistant paint
conditioned units
• Rectify the water
with no proper
• Ensure good drainage problem
drainage pipes.
workmanship
• Re-paint with a more
algae resistant paint

(vi)Precast Grille Vent • Avoid porous surfaces • Remove dirt and

for areas exposed to algae by high-
weather pressure water jetting

• If necessary, seal or • Treat infected areas

Such detail allows
waterproof porous with a fungicidal
retention of water.
surfaces wash
These surfaces are
likely to be more
• Use a more algae • Seal and waterproof
porous too.
resistant paint the surface

• Re-paint with a more

algae resistant paint
to delay the onset of
algae growth

38