Cracking/Peeling

When the paint lifts from the underlying surface in the form of flakes, it is generally preceded by Cracking and this occurs on different surfaces.

Possible Causes	Solutions
Excessive Dry Film Thickness. This thickness is prominent with acid catalyzed materials	• Use wet film gauge during application. • Ensure not to have a dry film thickness of more than 4-5 mils with acid catalyzed materials or pre-catalyzed lacquers.
Cracking by Occurrence of Repeated cycles of Freezing and Return to Room temperature.	• Put a small piece of painted wood in a freezer for an hour and then, keep it in the room temperature. • Repeat the process for 10 times and check whether the paint cracks. • Paints are formulated mostly to resist upto 10 cycles.
Cracking of Grain or Veneer	Cracks following the wood grain show that the wood is actually cracking and not the paint.
Cracking of Exterior wood and plywood as it Expands and Contracts depending on the Humidity and Temperature. The change is transmitted along the coating also.	Scrape, sand or scrub with a wire brush to remove loose and peeling paint.
Poor Paint Penetration on wood with excessive amount of ‘flat’ hard grain pattern that is smooth, hard and non-porous.	If needed, sand wood to a fresh surface.
Poor Surface Preparation / Applying thin coat of paint	• Do not allow the wood to weather prior to coating. • Follow label and data page directions on how to prepare surface, before coating.

Possible Causes