Exterior Paint Cracking or Flaking
Cracking or flaking 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. Initially, the problem appears as a hairline crack, before evolving to flaking of paint chips.
Possible Cause
Cracking and flaking is caused by:
Use of a lower quality paint that has inadequate adhesion and flexibility
Over thinning the paint or spreading it too thin
Poor surface preparation, especially when the paint is applied to bare timber without priming
Painting under hot or windy conditions that make water-based paints dry too fast
Solution
If caught early, it may be possible to correct superficial cracking by simply removing the loose or flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush, sanding to feather the edges, perform necessary repairs and spot-prime any bare spots before topcoat application. However, if the cracking extends to the substrate, remove all affected paint by scraping, sanding and/or using a heat gun prior to painting.
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