Cracked or Peeling Paint

Moisture is the number one cause of paint failure in homes. Before repainting any surface with peeling or bubbling paint, identify and eliminate the moisture source. Painting over a moisture problem without fixing it guarantees the new paint will fail in the same way.

Remove all loose, cracked, or peeling paint by scraping and sanding, then prime and repaint the surface. This is the most direct fix for localized paint failure and delivers a clean, lasting finish when done with proper preparation.

Clean, dry, and properly prepared surfaces are essential for paint adhesion. Most premature paint failure is caused by painting over dirty, dusty, greasy, or damp surfaces. Thorough preparation before any paint job prevents cracking and peeling from the start.

Selecting the correct paint for the surface and environment prevents premature cracking and peeling. Using interior paint outdoors, flat paint in a bathroom, or oil-based paint over uncured latex are common mistakes that lead to paint failure regardless of how well the surface was prepared.

Apply two or three thin, even coats of paint instead of one heavy coat. Thick paint layers dry unevenly -- the surface skins over while the interior remains wet, leading to cracking, wrinkling, and poor adhesion. Thin coats cure uniformly and build a stronger, more flexible paint film.

Mix a paint conditioner (also called a flow additive or extender) into your paint before application. Conditioners slow drying time, improve leveling, and reduce brush marks, which helps produce a smoother, more flexible finish that is less prone to cracking.