Peeling is a loss of adhesion that results in the lifting of paint from a surface.
The key cause of peeling is a poor bond between the paint and the surface. Cracks, moisture, and contaminants can interfere with the paint’s ability to adhere to the surface. Poor weather conditions can interfere with the paint’s integrity—it’s ability to coalesce (join physically) and bond (join chemically). The finished paint coating won’t have the desired strength and will be more prone to peeling. As paint peels, it gives the exterior a weathered appearance. Eventually, peeled paint will break away from the exterior altogether.
Cause 1:
Contaminated surface
If the surface contains contaminates, such as wax from the manufacturing process or dust from sanding, the contaminants can interfere with the paint’s ability to adhere to the surface. Contaminants can be present in many forms. For instance, metal components like drip edges may be delivered to the site with an oil residue, and wood surfaces may contain dust from sanding.
Cause 2:
Unprepared surface
If stucco hasn't fully cured, it can interfere both with the integrity of the paint and its ability to adhere to the surface, leading to peeling. If siding hasn’t been properly caulked at cracks and edges, these areas can break up the paint coating and promote peeling.
Cause 3:
Cold surface
If the surface is too cold, the paint may not properly coalesce and bond to create a uniform film. Cold temperatures interfere with paint's ability to coalesce and bond; the polymer particles don't have sufficient energy to move together. As a result, the paint coating won’t have the desired integrity, and it will be prone to peeling.
Cause 4:
Hot surface
If paint is applied to a hot surface, it will build a film too fast, and water in the paint will become trapped under the film. Vapor pressure will push the paint film away from the surface, causing the paint coating to peel.
Cause 5:
Moist surface
If paint is applied to a moist surface, such as a surface that's covered with dew, the moisture can become trapped under the paint coating. When the moisture tries to leave the surface, it can push the coating outward, causing it to peel.
Cause 6:
Moisture movement
If moisture moves from the home's interior to the outdoors through the exterior walls, water droplets can form underneath the paint coating, pushing it outward and causing it to peel.
