Why Does Paint Crack and How do I fix it?
If you see a crack or multiple cracks on a painted surface, such as a wall or ceiling, it means the paint began to split sometime after it fully dried on the surface. When paint begins to crack, you will often see only a hairline crack. Paint can split through more than one coat, however, so the crack may look more serious when it first appears. If the paint cracking continues to progress, the paint will eventually start flaking off the surface.
There are a few causes of paint cracking, which include:
- The surface wasn’t properly prepared before the most recent time it was painted.
- A lower-quality paint was used, and it didn’t adhere to the surface well.
- The paint was thinned too much before it was applied, or not enough paint was applied to the surface.
- The paint has aged and become brittle and unable to adjust to changes in humidity and temperature.
The best way to fix cracking paint is to scrape off any flaking paint and sand the surface. This will create a smooth and even surface that should be relatively easy to repaint. If you suspect the cracking paint may contain lead, do not scrape or sand the surface on your own. Contact a professional painting company to help fix the cracking paint. The company will know how to safely work with lead paint
When you repaint the surface, you can help prevent cracking in the new coats of paint by making sure you don’t overthin the paint. Using the correct amount of paint for the surface area you are painting will also help avoid cracking. The easiest way to do this is to follow the recommended surface coverage that is listed on the paint.
JMJ Painters can help you fix cracking paint or avoid it in your next painting project. To learn more about how we can help, you can schedule a free estimate online or call us at (612) 255-3351.