Finding cracks in a newly applied industrial coating can be frustrating and costly. Coating failure isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it exposes the underlying substrate to rapid corrosion. At PZSSS, we believe understanding the “why” is the first step toward a permanent fix. Here are the primary reasons for paint cracking and how to prevent them.
1. Excessive Film Thickness (Mud Cracking) If the paint is applied too thick in a single coat, the surface dries faster than the layer underneath. As the solvent evaporates, the internal stress causes the paint to split, resembling dried mud.
- The PZSSS Fix: Always follow the recommended Dry Film Thickness (DFT) on our technical data sheets.
2. Poor Substrate Preparation Contaminants like oil, grease, or old peeling paint prevent proper adhesion. When the coating shrinks during curing, it pulls away from the weak spots, leading to cracks.
- The PZSSS Fix: Ensure professional sandblasting or chemical cleaning before application.
3. Incompatible Coating Layers Applying a hard, rigid topcoat over a soft, flexible primer can cause “alligatoring.” The topcoat cannot move with the base layer, leading to surface fractures.
- The PZSSS Fix: Use a matched PZSSS coating system designed to work together chemically.
4. Extreme Temperature Fluctuations Applying paint in direct, scorching sun or extreme cold disrupts the curing mechanism.
- The PZSSS Fix: Monitor ambient and substrate temperatures to ensure they stay within the safe application window.
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