DIY Painting - Paint Peeling Problems

One of the most common problems people encounter with DIY painting projects is paint peeling. The bottom line is, however, that if paint peels there is an adherence problem. This usually means that something on the surface where the paint was applied is amiss. DIY painting paint peeling problems can be rectified by determining what is keeping the paint from adhering and/or applying a product that will help the new paint adhere properly.

The first step to take to avoid paint peeling problems is to avoid them in the first place. This can be done by cleaning the surface to be painted thoroughly. On the exterior of a home, paint applied over mildew and dirt will not adhere and peeling will almost certainly occur. Always pressure wash your home prior to painting and removing all signs of mildew. Add bleach to the water to kill the mold and mildew and rinse thoroughly.

Once peeling has begun, the procedure for remedying the DIY painting paint peeling problem is to pressure wash and clean the area first as described above. This will take off most of the loose paint as well.  Then scrap the area to remove any remaining loose paint. Sand the area. This will smooth out the rough edges, remove any gloss and rough up the surface so that new paint will adhere better.

Apply a coat of primer prior to the top coat of paint. Primers are designed to improve paint adhesion and in some cases will remedy a substrate problem. Peel Stop, a Zinsser product that can be purchased at your local paint store, is one of the best products on the market to help correct DIY painting paint peeling problems. Check the Zinsser website to locate a store near you that sells this product.  You can also ask a sales rep at your local paint store for their recommendation of a primer to prevent future peeling.

Trim paint peels more often and easily than siding paint, particularly on window sills. Flat surfaces are more vulnerable to the affects of the weather and moisture build up. Areas of your home that receive extensive exposure to the sun may also peel more quickly than other areas. Even in the worst situations, a coat of quality primer and several top coats of quality paint should hold up for several years or longer.  If the surface peels sooner than that, the problem has not been rectified.

Moisture is often a culprit when DIY Painting paint peeling occurs. Make sure that the wood or siding you are painting is not soft. In the areas that are prone to peeling use a pointed tool, such as a screw driver, to gently press on the area. If there is any "give" or softness in the wood or siding, it should be replaced and is probably the reason the paint is peeling.

On rare occasions you may encounter a peeling problem that cannot be corrected by ordinary means. In this case it is best to seek the advice of a paint manufacturer. Many paint stores that carry name brand paints such as Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore, have representatives that will come to your home upon request to help determine the cause of the problem, particularly if you used their products.