MUD CRACKING

Deep, irregular cracks resembling dried mud in dry paint film.

 POSSIBLE CAUSES:

• Paint applied too thickly, usually over a porous surface.
• Paint applied too thickly, to improve inherent poor hiding (coverage) of a lower quality paint.
• Paint is allowed to build up in corners upon application.

SOLUTION:

• Remove coating by scraping and sanding.
• Prime and repaint, using a top quality latex paint.
• Mud-cracked areas can also be repaired by sanding the surface smooth before repainting with a top quality latex paint.
• This type of paint is likely to prevent recurrence of mud cracking, because it is relatively more flexible than alkyd paint, oil-based paint and ordinary latex paint.
• Quality paints have a higher solids content, which reduces the tendency to mud crack. They also have very good application and hiding properties, which minimize the tendency to apply too thick a coat of paint.

Note: Images & information provided by The Rohm & Hass Paint Quality Institute.