Painting Tips: Preventing Wrinkling Paint

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By Jim Hingst

There is only one solution for wrinkling paint. You must first scrape off the wrinkled paint and then sand the affected area, blending it in with the surrounding unaffected paint. Then you must repaint the problem area. In some cases, you may need to use a primer, especially if you sanded down to the substrate.

These corrective actions, though necessary, waste time and materials, cutting into your shop’s profit. Nobody makes money on rework. Below is a list of probable causes for wrinkling paint as well as suggestions for preventing problems.

● Thick applications of paint can cause paint to form a skin and wrinkle. Be sure that paint is thinned properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions and applied in thin coats. Multiple thin coats of paint are preferable to one heavy coat.

● Painting in extreme heat can cause the surface of the paint to form a skin before the interior of the coating dries. The dried skin can then crinkle as it shrinks over the undried paint underneath it.

● High humidity can slow down the curing process and also contributes to wrinkling. When painting in a humid environment, allow additional time for paint to fully cure.

● Wrinkling can also result if a coating is painted on another coat of paint which has not cured sufficiently. To prevent wrinkling paint, make sure that the lower coats are dry before painting a top coating.

● Make sure that primer and top coats are matched for compatibility. Ideally primer and top coat should be tested and evaluated prior to use.

● Wrinkling also occurs after painting on a surface contaminated with grease, waxes or dirt. Follow proper surface cleaning procedures before painting.

Even if you follow every precaution, the unexpected can occur. The best that you can do to avoid wrinkling paint problems is follow my suggestions and always read and follow the information that the paint manufacturer provides.

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About Jim Hingst: Sign business authority on vehicle wraps, vinyl graphics, screen printing, marketing, sales, gold leaf, woodcarving and painting. 

After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 190 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 500 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

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