Poor hiding power/opacity

Possible cause

• Use of low quality paint
• Use of low quality tools/wrong roller cover
• Use of an improper combination of tinting base and tinting colour
• Poor flow and levelling (see Poor flow/levelling)
• Use of a paint that is much lighter in colour than the substrate or that primarily contains low-hiding organic pigments
• Application of paint at a higher spread rate than recommended

Solution

If the substrate is significantly darker or is patterned wallpaper, it should be primed before applying a top coat. Use premium quality paint for better hiding and flow.

Use quality tools; use the recommended roller nap, if rolling. Follow manufacturer's recommendation on spread rate; if using tinted paint, use the correct tinting base.

Where a low-hiding organic colour must be used, apply a primer first. Dulux recommends Dulux One Step® Acrylic Primer Sealer & Undercoat with Dulux Wash&Wear® +PLUS Super Hide to maximise the opacity of a coating system over a standard interior broad wall surface.