Handyman Guide > Flaws in Painting and Removing Paint

Paint failures can generally be attributed to the fact that the painting was done on a damp surface, the quality of the paint was not good, or the paint was not applied properly. Here are a few common types of paint failures and their chief causes.



Checking. These small, hairline cracks on the surface of the paint indicate that the first coat was too soft to support the finish coat. As these cracks are only in the finish coat, they can be sanded and a new coat applied.

Alligatoring. This condition resembles checking except that the cracks are bigger and run deeper. This state of affairs is due to the application of the final coat before the previous coat is completely dry, or to an error in mixing, causing the undercoat not to dry hard. Do not attempt to repaint a surface in this condition. The old paint must be removed and a completely new job done.

Scaling. Scaling is the result of moisture penetrating cracks in the paint. It can be caused by poor quality paint or by improper mixing, so that the paint is not elastic enough to withstand the constant expansion and contraetion of the wood with temperature changes. Paint in this condition should be removed.

Peeling. Peeling starts with blisters and occurs when paint is applied to a damp surface, or when moisture penetrates beneath the paint from the opposite side of a surface, such as an outside wall. This paint should be removed.

REMOVING PAINT

Old paint can be removed from wood by several methods. For small jobs, a hand scraper and sandpaper can be used. The blade of the scraper should be sharp, and care should be taken not to let a corner of it gouge into the wood.

Liquid Removers. A liquid paint remover is one that will soften the paint or varnish so that it may be scraped and wiped off the surface with moderate ease. Lye can be used as a remover, but it is an extremely strong chemical and may damage the wood surface. Commercial removers for paint and varnish can be purchased at hardware and paint stores, and these are more desirable removers. Brush the liquid over the surface and allow it to remain until the paint begins to soften. The paint can now be removed with the scraper. Where there are a great many coats of paint, apply the remover several times. Wher the paint has been removed, the surface should be wiped with alcohol to remove all traces of the remover. Do not use a liquid paint and varnish remover in a room where there is an open flame.

Blowtorch. To remove all the paint from a large surface, such as the exterior wall of a house, would be a considerable task with a scraper and sandpaper and an expensive one with liquid remover. For removing large quantities of old paint, professional painters use a gasoline blowtorch, together with a broad putty knife. The flame of the torch softens the paint, and it can easily be removed with the scraper while still soft.



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