Most paint problems come from moisture or poor surface preparation. The good news is that almost all of them can be fixed. Find your problem below for the likely cause and how to put it right.
Peeling or flaking
Why it happens: Paint applied over a dusty, damp, glossy or unprimed surface cannot grip and lifts away.
How to fix it: Scrape back to a firm edge, sand, clean, prime the bare areas and repaint.
Blistering or bubbling
Why it happens: Moisture or heat trapped under the paint film, often from painting a damp wall or in direct hot sun.
How to fix it: Find and fix the moisture source, let the wall dry, remove the blisters, prime and repaint in cooler conditions.
Cracking
Why it happens: Paint applied too thickly, a second coat put on before the first was dry, or movement in the plaster underneath.
How to fix it: Remove the cracked paint, fill the cracks with putty, sand, prime and apply thinner coats with proper drying time.
Patchy or uneven colour
Why it happens: Uneven surface absorption where no primer was used, too little paint, or paint that was not stirred.
How to fix it: Prime the surface, stir the paint thoroughly and apply a full, even second coat.
Fading
Why it happens: Strong sunlight and weather break down colour over time, more so when an interior paint is used outside.
How to fix it: Repaint with a paint made for exterior use and choose colours suited to sun-facing walls.
Chalking (powdery surface)
Why it happens: Weathering slowly breaks down the paint surface into a fine powder, or the paint was over-thinned.
How to fix it: Brush and wash off the powder, let it dry, apply an exterior primer and repaint.
Mould or dark spots
Why it happens: Damp, poor ventilation and low light let mould grow on the surface, common in kitchens and bathrooms.
How to fix it: Treat and wash off the mould, fix the damp or ventilation problem, let the wall dry, then prime and repaint.
Brush and roller marks
Why it happens: Poor quality tools, paint drying too fast, or going back over paint that has started to dry.
How to fix it: Sand the area lightly once dry and repaint with good tools, working quickly and keeping a wet edge.
Rust showing on metal
Why it happens: Bare or poorly primed metal reacts with moisture and rust pushes through the paint.
How to fix it: Remove rust back to clean metal, apply red oxide primer, then finish with enamel.
Still not sure?
Send us a photo and our technical team will advise. For the full painting sequence, from preparation to the final coat, see our painting guide.
