How To Fix Frosting Issues On Paint
Interior and exterior coats of paint can beautify and protect both residential and commercial real estate properties. While most kinds of paint are relatively durable, some are subject to the damaging effects of moisture. Property owners who use the right products for the job can triumph and keep a property pristine. See how easy it is to fix and prevent frosting on paint.
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How To Fix Frosting on Paint
Frosting
What is it?
Paint frosting is a water-based problem that often strikes the paint on both wood and brick walls. This issue is unsightly, and it can also be damaging if left to progress for too long. There is no doubt that frosting is a real danger to paint and a building's health.
Paint frosting often strikes exterior or interior paints that have high levels of calcium carbonate in their formulas. Both wood and brick materials are semi-permeable to water, and vulnerable to water infiltration if they are not properly sealed, primed, and painted.
If liquid penetrates these materials, it can evaporate and then work its way to the surface through overlying layers of paint. As it does so, it mixes with water-soluble salts in the paint and leeches these minerals onto the surface. As the salts solidify, they leave behind deposits called frost marks.
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How To Fix Frosting on Paint
Frosting
What Causes It?
Several factors are involved in frosting problems with paint, including moisture exposure, paint composition, and primer choice.
Moisture is the chief issue, and to successfully remove frosting marks the underlying water contamination must stop. The method to stop water contamination depends on whether the surface structure is wood or masonry.
To preclude internal moisture accumulation, protect unpainted surfaces with hydrophobic sealants. In addition, avoid using paints that contain high levels of calcium carbonate.
To minimize external water penetration, seal any wood surfaces that have unprotected end-caps or joints. Also cover the internal sides of external walls with a vapor barrier in order to prevent house-based water vapors from seeping into walls. Do not use paints with high levels of calcium carbonate on external walls.
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How To Fix Frosting Paint
Frosting
How to Fix It
Once property owners take preventative steps, they can progress to repairs. As distressing as the appearance of these marks may be, frosting damage can be surprisingly simple to remedy with the right tools.
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For mild frosting issues, gently wash the affected surfaces with warm water to test the deposited crystals for water solubility. If the marks dissolve after applying water, repeat this process until any flaws disappear.
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Stubborn cases may require the use of soft brushes for gentle clearing of heavy deposits. Once excess material is cleared, clean the affected areas.
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Apply quality alkyd primers to the exposed surfaces. These primers adhere well to a wide variety of surfaces, including wood.
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Once the primer cures, retouch the damaged areas with a matching paint.
