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About Dulux
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Customer service
  • Contact Us
  • Shipping & Returns
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  • Sustainability
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  • Dulux Group Corporate
Dulux in the Community
  • Surf Life Saving Club project
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Build: 1.2.39 - Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:32:05 GMT
  1. Trade
  2. Technical Advice
  3. Professional Painter Problem Solver Guides
  4. Professional Interior Paint Problems Solver
Technical Advice

Professional painter problem solver

Exterior: Solutions for Paint Problems can help you identify, correct and prevent paint failures. Each subject illustrates and describes what a problem looks like, lists a possible cause of the failure and provides a solution. Many preventive measures are also given. Kindly supplied by The Paint Quality Institute.

painterproblemsolver-exterior-sanding-weatherboard-hand
surfactant-leaching 800x800

When droplets appear on acrylic paint

Have you noticed small droplets appearing on your fresh coat of acrylic paint? This is known as 'surfactant leaching'. Don't panic - it's a normal part of the curing process.

Learn more-->
painter-problem-yellowing-enamel-vertical

Yellowing

Yellowing describes the development of a yellow cast in ageing paint solvent-based enamels.

Find out more-->
howto-wrinkling

Wrinkling

Wrinkling is a term to describe a rough, crinkled paint surface, which occurs when uncured paint forms a 'skin'.

Find out more-->
painter-problem-sagging

Sagging

Sagging is the downward "drooping" movement of the paint film immediately after application that results in an uneven coating.

Learn more-->
howto-interior-problemsolver-rollersplattering

Roller Spattering

Roller spattering is the tendency of a roller to throw off small droplets of paint during application.

Roller Spattering-->
trade-painter-problem-solver-interior-roller-marks-stipple

Roller marks/stipple

Roller marks and stipple are the unintentional textured pattern left in the paint by the roller. Find out more.

Roller marks/stipple-->
howto-interior-problemsolver-poor-stain-resistance

Poor stain resistance

Failure of the paint to resist absorption of dirt and stains.

Poor stain resistance-->
trade-painter-problem-solver-interior-sheen-uniformity

Poor sheen uniformity

Shiny spots or dull spots (also known as 'flashing') on a painted surface; uneven gloss.

Poor sheen uniformity-->
trade-painter-problem-solver-interior-scrub-resistance

Poor scrub resistance

Wearing away or removal of the paint film when scrubbed with a brush, sponge, or cloth.

Poor scrub resistance-->
painter-problem-poor-opacity-horizontal

Poor hiding power/opacity

Failure of dried paint to obscure or 'hide' the surface to which it is applied.

Poor hiding power/opacity-->
trade-painter-problem-solver-interior-flow-levelling

Poor flow and levelling

Poor flow and levelling is when paint fails to dry to a smooth film, resulting in unsightly brush and roller marks after the paint dries. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Poor flow and levelling-->
painter-problem-picture-framing

Picture framing

Picture framing occurs when a wall is painted with a roller, but is brushed at the edges and corners. The brushed areas generally appear darker, resembling the frame of a picture. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Picture framing-->
painter-problem-mud-cracking

Mud cracking

Deep, irregular cracks resembling dried mud in your paintwork is called mud cracking. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Mud cracking-->
problem-painter-solver-interior-mould

Interior Mould

If you’ve noticed black, grey or brown areas on your painted surface, chances are you’re dealing with a mould problem.

Learn more-->
lapping

Interior lapping

Have you noticed that there are areas of denser colour or higher gloss where wet and dry layers overlap during painting? For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Lapping-->
painter-problem-foaming

Foaming or cratering

Foaming or cratering is the formation of bubbles (foaming) and resulting small, round concave depressions (cratering) in a paint film, during paint application and drying. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Foaming or cratering-->
trade-painter-problem-solver-interior-cracking-flaking-peeling

Cracking, flaking or peeling

Cracking, flaking or peeling 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. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Cracking, flaking or peeling-->
painter-problem-marring-burnishing-horizontal

Interior Burnishing

The gloss of paint can wear down when subjected to rubbing, scrubbing or having an object brush up against it. For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Burnishing-->
painter-problem-paint-blocking

Interior blocking

Blocking is the undesirable sticking together of two painted surfaces when pressed together (e.g., a door sticking to the jamb). For each problem you’ll find a guide to identifying it, its causes and solutions.

Blocking-->