Interior paint problem solver

Even the most professional painters can run into problems. But the good news is that there are solutions for almost all of them. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes, solutions and in some cases, how to prevent the problem from happening altogether.
If you require more information, please contact our Customer Service team on 0800 800 424.
When droplets appear on acrylic paint
Have you noticed small droplets appearing on your fresh coat of acrylic paint? This is known as 'surfactant leaching'. Don't panic - it's a normal part of the curing process. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Yellowing
Yellowing is the development of a yellow cast in aging solvent-based enamels. It’s most noticeable in the dried films of white paints or clear varnishes. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Wrinkling
Wrinkling in paintwork can be identified by a rough, crinkled paint surface, which occurs when uncured paint forms a 'skin'. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Sagging
Sagging is the downward "drooping" movement of the paint film immediately after application that results in an uneven coating. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Mould
If you’ve noticed black, grey or brown areas on your painted surface, chances are you’re dealing with a mould problem. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Roller Spattering
Roller spattering is the tendency of a roller to throw off small droplets of paint during application. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Poor stain resistance
Poor stain resistance is the failure of paint to resist the absorption of dirt and stains. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Poor sheen uniformity
Also known as 'flashing', poor sheen uniformity can be identified as shiny or dull spots on a painted surface that can lead to an uneven gloss. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Poor scrub resistance
Poor scrub resistance can be identified if paint film wears away when scrubbed with a brush, sponge or cloth. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Poor hiding
Poor hiding is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the failure of your dried paintwork to obscure or 'hide' the surface to which it is applied. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Poor flow and levelling
Poor flow and levelling is when paint fails to dry to a smooth film, resulting in unsightly brush and roller marks after the paint dries. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Roller marks / stipple
Roller marks or stipple is the unintentional textured pattern that’s left in the paint by the roller. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Picture framing
Picture framing occurs when a wall is painted with a roller, but is brushed at the edges and corners. The brushed areas generally appear darker, resembling the frame of a picture. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Mud cracking
Deep, irregular cracks resembling dried mud in your paintwork is called mud cracking. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Lapping
Have you noticed that there are areas of denser colour or higher gloss where wet and dry layers overlap during painting? For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Foaming or cratering
Foaming or cratering is the formation of bubbles (foaming) and resulting small, round concave depressions (cratering) in a paint film, during paint application and drying. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Cracking, flaking or peeling
Cracking, flaking or peeling is the splitting of a dry paint film. This is a problem that needs fixing as it can lead to complete failure of the paint. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Burnishing
The gloss of paint can wear down when subjected to rubbing, scrubbing or having an object brush up against it. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
Blocking
Blocking is the undesirable sticking together of two painted surfaces when pressed together (e.g., a door sticking to the jamb). For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.
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Interior paint problem solver