Adhesion – Intercoat

Problem

  • Delamination between coats
  • Whitening of film between coats

Solution

  • Ensure correct sanding between coats
  • Topcoat within recommended time limit after sanding
  • Allow correct dry time of sealer coats
  • Use correct finishing system
  • Ensure no contamination on previous coat
  • Apply a wet coat material
  • Do not fog or mist coating to apply thinner film builds

 Adhesion – Stain

Problem

  • Delamination to stain
  • Whitening of film between coats

Solution

  • Reduce application of stain
  • Ensure sufficient wiping of stain
  • Allow correct dry time of stain
  • Dark stains should be obtained by using toners before stain application
  • Avoid heavy shading
  • Make sure to use the correct finishing system (sealer/topcoat) to match stain.
  • Apply wet coat of sealer or topcoat
  • Do not fog or mist coating to apply thinner film builds

 Adhesion – Substrate

Problem

  • Removal of film to substrate
  • Delamination to substrate when impacted

Solution

  • Ensure correct sanding of substrate
  • Use correct finishing system to match topcoat with primer used
  • Ensure no contamination on substrate
  • Apply wet coat of material
  • Do not fog or mist coating to apply thinner film builds
  • Closed grain hardwoods should be well sanded before use
  • Higher solids finishes need a better wood profile to anchor to than low solids
  • Ensure sand paper is not worn

Air Entrapment / Pinholing

Problem

  • Bubbles from pores in the wood
  • Air entrapment from preparation of paint
  • Air entrapment from application
  • Blistering from drying techniques
  • Topcoat attacking previous coat

Solution

  • Use defoamer
  • Use slower solvent balance
  • Change airflow during drying, check for drafts
  • Reduce air pressure during application
  • Spray thin wash coat as first coat
  • Ensure adequate flash off before oven
  • Reduce viscosity
  • Bring lacquer to room temperature
  • Use correct thinner
  • Use weakest solvent for previous coat to avoid blistering
  • Reduce recirculation speed
  • Reduce film thickness

Bénard Cells

Problem

  • Cell pattern in finish
  • Color and surface irregularities

Solution

  • Add dispersant
  • Add silicone additive to reduce surface tension
  • Increase application viscosity
  • Lower application thickness
  • Add thixotrope or thickener

Bleeding

Problem

  • Color migration from coated substrate
  • Color in sanding dust
  • Colored film on surface

Solution

  • Avoid bleeding dyes and pigments
  • Use vinyl sealer to seal color
  • Change from acid catalyzed material

Blisters / Pinholes

Problem

  • Micro bubbles or voids in coating surface
  • Unfilled pores on open grain wood I veneer

Solution

  • Use a slower thinner if necessary
  • Reduce board temperature and minimize applied film thickness
  • Check viscosity of the finish
  • Ensure that the substrate is not porous
  • For open-grain woods use a filler or different primer

Blocking

Problem

  • Sticking together of panels when dry

Solution

  • Reduce film build applied
  • Increase or ensure recommended dry times are followed
  • Ensure ovens are at the correct temperature
  • Increase or ensure correct airflow during dry
  • Ensure correct temperature of substrate
  • Decrease or ensure correct temperatures at stacking

Blooming

Problem

  • Hazy deposit on film
  • Oily or wax-like substance on surface
  • Reduced gloss
  • Mottled or non-uniform surface

Solution

  • Adjust catalyst level – over-catalyzation
  • Do not use stearated materials such as lacquers and certain polyesters under acid catalyzed coatings
  • Check formula for incompatibility
  • Check substrate for contamination

Blushing

Problem

  • Whitening of surface
  • Lowering of gloss

Solution

  • Reduce humidity
  • Use richer thinner
  • Check water level in equipment
  • Warm lacquer to room temperature
  • Increase temperature of application area
  • Slow dry time
  • Dry waterborne stains or sealers

Brittleness

Problem

  • Poor coin scratch
  • Delamination of film when impacted

Solution

  • Ensure that brittleness is not lack of adhesion
  • Check with representative
  • If a catalyzed system, check ratio

Brown Spots

Problem

  • Brown spots in film

Solution

  • Clean air lines of oil contamination
  • Drain or repair oil separator

Bumps and Sinks

Problem

  • Uneven surface appearance
  • LOW Depth of Image (D.0.1.)

Solution

  • Add silicone flow additive
  • Add thixotrope

Cold Check

Problem

  • Cracks in finish

Solution

  • Decrease dry film build
  • Ensure minimum room temperature during cure
  • Use only freshly catalyzed material
  • Ensure correct catalyzation
  • Ensure profiles are sanded to reduce sharp angles

Cracking

Problem

  • Cracks and checks in film

Solution

  • Applied coating is too thick. Use wet mil gauge during application (Refer to Product Information Sheet)
  • Reduce the moisture ratio
  • Check the mixing ratio
  • Check suitability of surface and coating
  • Check the drying and storage conditions
  • Check suitability of surface and coating

Cratering

Problem

  • Depressions in finish with raised edges and material at center

Solution

  • Remove source of contamination
  • Clean substrate before application
  • Clean equipment before application
  • Filter material
  • Clean air system and ventilation control
  • Addition of silicone flow agent

Crawling

Problem

  • Formation of beads, islands, craters or pinholes
  • Poor wetting of substrate

Solution

  • Clean substrate before application
  • Ensure sanding before application
  • Addition of silicone flow agent

Cracking

Problem

  • Cracks and checks in film

Solution

  • Applied coating is too thick. Use wet mil gauge during application (Refer to Product Information Sheet)
  • Reduce the moisture ratio
  • Check the mixing ratio
  • Check suitability of surface and coating
  • Check the drying and storage conditions
  • Check suitability of surface and coating

Discoloration

Problem

  • Change in color of finished parts
  • Yellowing of film

Solution

  • Check age of coating
  • Check contamination from drum liner
  • Check iron or aluminum contamination from application equipment
  • Check for presence of foreign vapors or fumes
  • Check to ensure presence of UVA, if required
  • Check to ensure material not stored at excessive heat
  • Check for tannin bleed

Dry

Problem

  • Wet film
  • Soft film

Solution

  • Decrease humidity during application
  • Increase temperature in drying and curing area
  • Clean wax or oil contamination from substrate
  • Mix catalyst and thinner well into material
  • Ensure correct ratio of catalyst
  • Reduce I ensure correct addition of retarder solvent

Fat Edges and Picture Framing

Problem

  • Paint build-up on edges
  • Poor edge coverage

Solution

  • Addition of thixotrope
  • Addition of silicone flow agent
  • Faster solvent balance
  • Lower viscosity
  • Ensure profiles are sanded to remove sharp edge

Fish Eyes

Problem

  • Depressions in finish with raised edges and uniform material at center
  • Undispersed droplets in paint

Solution

  • Remove source of contamination
  • Remove source of incompatibility
  • Clean substrate before application
  • Clean equipment before application
  • Clean air system and ventilation control
  • Addition of silicone flow agent

Floating

Problem

  • Mottled, blotchy or streaked appearance
  • Separation and uneven distribution of pigment
  • Result of Bénard cell formation

Solution

  • Increase application viscosity
  • Lower application thickness
  • Add thixotrope or thickener
  • Add dispersant
  • Add silicone additive to reduce surface tension

Flooding

Problem

  • Uniform color change
  • Surface enrichment of one or more pigments
  • Different color on disturbed surface/ Rub-up

Solution

  • Reduce film thickness
  • Raise viscosity of coating
  • Speed drying

Gloss Variation

Problem

  • Uneven gloss areas
  • Incorrect I unexpected gloss
  • Flat or glossy spots

Solution

  • Ensure correct drying or oven temperatures
  • Ensure correct film build
  • Apply seal coat to eliminate absorbent areas on substrate
  • Reduce solvent strength to reduce exudation of resins from wood
  • Ensure clean substrate
  • Addition of silicone flow agent

Grey Pores

Problem

  • Grey areas in deep pores
  • Poor cleaning of sanding dust from pores
  • Poor wetting of pores

Solution

  • Blow out sanding dust from pores on sanded panels
  • Reduce viscosity of sealer
  • Add non-contaminating silicone to improve wetting of sealer ·
  • Change sealer to improve wetting and shrink-back
  • Change to urethane sealer

Haze

Problem

  • Dulling of finished surface
  • Exudation to surface
  • Fine solvent pops
  • Microvoids
  • Fine Benard cells

Solution

  • Use correct thinner
  • Check current catalyzation
  • Check the dry of previous coat
  • Stir material to ensure uniform product
  • Use retarder solvent

Hiding

Problem

  • Poor coverage
  • Show-through of dark lines at edges of profiles

Solution

  • Reduce amount of thinner in material
  • Mix material thoroughly before use
  • Increase I ensure correct film build
  • Sand sharp corners of profiles
  • Increase speed of solvent balance

Lifting

Problem

  • Wrinkling of the finish
  • Unevenness of the ripple effect on surface

Solution

  • Ensure correct system
  • Do not use weaker films under stronger
  • Apply thinner coat of topcoat
  • Apply heavier coat of sealer
  • Use weaker reducer
  • Ensure correct air movement and dry
  • Allow longer dry on previous coat
  • Ensure correct catalyzation
  • Use freshly catalyzed materials

Marring

Problem

  • Surface damage when scratched

Solution

  • Use freshly catalyzed material
  • Increase dry and cure of finish
  • Increase cure area to room temperature
  • Allow 14 days to obtain full cure with acid cure materials
  • Add silicone anti-mar additive
  • Follow manufacturers recommended shelf life
  • Add coalescing solvent to waterborne material to ensure good film formation

Mud Cracking

Problem

  • Fine cracks in surface of waterborne finish

Solution

  • Increase temperature of application area
  • Increase drying temperature
  • Add coalescing solvent under agitation
  • Increase substrate temperature

Orange Peel

Problem

  • Surface bumpiness or waviness
  • Orange peel effect
  • Poor leveling

Solution

  • Check and I or lower viscosity
  • Apply correct or thicker film build
  • Reduce dry spray or overspray
  • Increase atomizing air
  • Reduce fluid pressure
  • Check correct air cap
  • Use retarder solvent or rich thinner
  • Eliminate excessive air movement
  • Add silicone flow agent
  • Apply even stroke with spray gun at the correct distance from the substrate

Printing

Problem

  • Marks in finish after stacking

Solution

  • Increase dry time
  • Use freshly catalyzed materials
  • Do not dry or cure in cool area
  • Ensure correct catalyzation

Rub Up

Problem

  • Color change on disturbed area of finish
  • Flocculation of pigments

Solution

  • Reduce film thickness
  • Raise viscosity
  • Add thixotrope or thickener
  • Speed drying
  • Add dispersant
  • Add silicone additive to reduce surface tension

Sagging

Problem

  • Gravity driven flow on vertical surfaces

Solution

  • Speed up solvent balance
  • Control or reduce application of material
  • Increase application viscosity
  • Correct spray application, avoid overlap, use correct gun angle, speed gun movement
  • Apply several thinner coats
  • Reduce drafts and application in direct sunlight
  • Increase temperature of application area
  • Reduce application nozzle size
  • Reduce fluid pressure

Seeds

Problem

  • Small granules in finish
  • Undispersed or flocculated pigments
  • Dirt
  • Resin gel particles

Solution

  • Check to confirm dirt and not small air bubbles
  • Clean environment
  • Clean application equipment
  • Filter material
  • Use correct thinner
  • Store and apply material at room temperature

Separation

Problem

  • Partial precipitation from solution
  • Syneresis or phasing of material
  • Pigment settling

Solution

  • Change solvent for reduction
  • Store at room temperature
  • Ensure good adhesion
  • Lower amount of reduction
  • Slower addition of reducer
  • Keep container sealed to reduce oxidation

Silking

Problem

  • Parallel lines of irregularities in finish
  • Floating problem
  • Phase separation
  • Specialized Bénard cells
  • Incompatibility

Solution

  • Add dispersant
  • Use silicone additive
  • Increase application viscosity
  • Add thixotrope or thickener

Skinning

Problem

  • Skin on surface of paint
  • Gummy material in bottom of paint

Solution

  • Keep containers closed
  • Check pot-life
  • Add water I solvent coverage to material

Solvent Popping /Pinholing

Problem

  • Formation of holes, craters, dimples and volcano-like bumps
  • Visual appearance of seeds
  • Visual appearance of low gloss

Solution

  • Increase flash time
  • Use of retarder solvent
  • Use of slower solvent blend

Solvent Trap

Problem

  • Cracking I crazing of finish after unpacking
  • Glossy or flat spot after stacking

Solution

  • Decrease or ensure correct film application
  • Ensure correct air movement and dry times
  • Do not store in cold environment before complete cure
  • Increase cure before stacking or packing
  • Ensure correct catalyzation

Tearing

Problem

  • Large cracks in waterborne finish
  • Uneven drying of the surface before the body of the paint film
  • Poor through cure in waterborne materials

Solution

  • Decrease surface heat to finish
  • Increase substrate temperature

Telegraphing

Problem

  • Structural or surface features revealed in finish
  • Show-through of fingerprints, water spots or sanding marks

Solution

  • Addition of silicone flow agent
  • Increase viscosity of coating
  • Addition of thixotrope
  • Faster solvent balance

White Spots

Problem

  • White spots or contamination in film

Solution

  • Ensure flatting agent is completely mixed before application
  • Filter material before use
  • Check water separator