The Causes of Paint Chalking

Wear and Tear

• Chalking occurs when the paint releases the constituent particles of its pigment as it undergoes natural deterioration and its binding agents break down. The paint particles appear to be a powder on the surface of the paint. It is typical for paints to undergo this process to some extent. This chalking process has a cleaning effect on the surface of the paint.

Wrong Amount of Hardener Or Paint

• Paint chalking can occur if you use the wrong hardener, or the wrong amount of hardener. Using too thick a coat of paint can also cause chalking. Use the right number of coats and stick to the thickness the paint manufacturer recommends.

Paint Makeup and Maintenance

• Some paints are more prone to chalking than others. This is the result of the way the manufacturer has formulated the paint. If you want to avoid chalking, choose a paint type that, according to the manufacturer, will chalk more slowly. Chalking can also happen sooner when you don't properly maintain the painted surface.

Repainting

• If you need to repaint because of chalking, first prepare the surface by cleaning it well. This helps the paint coat last longer. Clean the surface by scrubbing it with detergent to get rid of the dirt and the remnants of the paint. To get rid of discoloration from chalking that has run down into the surface below, hard scrubbing may also be necessary. After cleaning, rinse the surface with water. This sets the stage for repainting.