Paint With Confidence
Exterior Common Issues & Solutions
Text & image courtesy of the Rohm & Haas Paint Quality Institute
Poor Scrub Resistance
Wearing away or removal of the paint film when scrubbed with a brush, sponge, or cloth.
Possible Cause
- Choosing the wrong sheen for the area.
- Use of a lower quality paint.
- Use of an overly aggressive scrub medium (see Burnishing).
- Inadequate dry time allowed after application of the paint before washing it.
- Application of the paint in too thin a coat.
Solution
Areas that need frequent cleaning require a high quality paint formulated to provide such performance. High traffic areas may require a semi-gloss or gloss paint rather than a flat paint to provide good scrub resistance. Allow adequate dry time, as scrub resistance will not fully develop until the paint is thoroughly cured. Typically, this will be one to two weeks. Try washing the painted surface with the least abrasive material and mildest detergent first.
