Poor Hiding

Failure of dried paint to obscure or hide the surface to which it has been applied.

Possible Cause

  • Use of a low quality paint.
  • Use of low quality tools/wrong roller cover.
  • Use of an improper combination of tinting base and tinting colour.
  • Poor flow and leveling (see Poor Flow and Leveling).
  • Use of a paint that is much lighter in colour than the substrate, or that primarily contains low-hiding organic pigments.

Solution

If the substrate is significantly darker or is a patterned wallpaper, it should be primed before applying the top coat. Use a premium quality paint for better hiding and flow. Use quality tools; use the recommended roller nap, if rolling. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation on spread rate; if using tinted paint, use the correct tinting base. Where a low-hiding organic colour must be used, apply a primer first.

Images courtesy of the Paint Quality Institute from Dow Coating Materials

Colourplus recommends Colourplus Designa Primer Undercoat, Designa Pigmented Sealer, or Ultra Premium Permaseal 3 in 1.

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