The House Painter's Encyclopedia

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The House Painter's
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A working reference for professional house painting, written from field practice and kept honest about where every claim comes from.

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Try:cedar peeling back-rolling

Definition

Adhesion

How well a coating holds to the surface beneath it, whether that surface is bare material, a repair, or an existing coating.

GlossaryThe full glossary entry

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Filters2 on

Surface

Wood7 (on; choose to remove)
Cedar1
Drywall3
Plaster1
Masonry1
Stucco1
Metal2
Previously coated surface10

Problem

Peeling7 (on; choose to remove)
Intercoat failure4
Bubbling / blistering2
Holidays (missed spots)4
Flashing3
Tannin bleed3
Roller marks / stipple2
Water stain1
Mold / mildew1
Soft or rotted wood1

Technique

Maintaining a wet edge3
Back-rolling2
Back-brushing1
Spray and back-roll2
Spot-priming4
Scraping3
Chemical stripping1
Graining a filler repair1
Corner-to-corner correction3
Mist coat (spray correction)1
Chlorine wash1
Inspection at every stage7

7 entries for “Adhesion”

Surface: Wood (remove)
Problem: Peeling (remove)
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Entries

Entry 009Choosing the Right Primer
- P + E / Product and Execution: When adhesion and stains both matter
  Field practiceIf adhesion fails, remove the failed test coating, investigate preparation, and return to a sound surface. Test a suitable bonding primer.
- S / Substrate: Identify what you are priming
  Field practiceWhere sound coating remains, the primer must adhere to that coating.
- P / Product: Match the primer to the problem
  Situation: Glossy doors, trim, baseboards, crown molding, and other difficult finishes · My usual approach: Clean and sand as appropriate, then use a specialty bonding primer when needed. · Selection checkpoint: Verify adhesion; do not assume bonding ability includes stain blocking.
5 more places in this entry
Entry 014

Preparing and Painting Interior Doors and Trim

1. S / Substrate: Inspect the door, trim, and existing finish
Painting over it does not restore adhesion.
4. P + A + T / Products, Application, and Tools: Fill defects and select primer
See Choosing the Right Primer for the distinction between stain blocking and bonding.
9. E / Environment: Reinstall hardware and check the finished work
Manufacturer directionBenjamin Moore describes blocking as painted surfaces sticking when pressed together before the finish has dried and cured sufficiently.

Entry 010Refinishing Cabinets with Painted Finishes

1. Inspect the cabinets and agree on the finish
A new finish must adhere to the actual prepared surface it will touch.
3. Degrease before sanding
My cleaning check is a fresh-rag wipe: no visible contamination should transfer. Repeat cleaning where residue remains. A visually clean surface still needs the adhesion and compatibility checks for the chosen system.
5. Fill open grain when the finish calls for it
Field practiceWhere I use water-based grain filler, I prefer to apply it after a compatible bonding primer, such as STIX, because I have experienced beading over sanded lacquer.

2 more places in this entry

Entry 011Refinishing Cabinets with Stain and Clear Finishes

5. Select the stain and condition the wood when needed
Manufacturer directionOld Masters advises against tack rags because they may leave adhesion-interfering residue.
9. Adjust the overall color and protect it with clear
Preserve color without skipping the receiving coat's adhesion requirements.
10. Darken a sound existing finish without stripping
Follow the exact products' limits for adhesion, intercoat preparation, and film build. Test for lifting, wrinkling, or adhesion failure before committing to the whole job.

Entry 001Preparing and Repainting Cedar Siding

2. Diagnose peeling before defining the repair
Only after investigating other likely causes should widespread, gradual release at the original coating-to-wood bond be attributed to age-related failure.

Entry 015Preparing and Painting Exterior Wood Trim and Fascia

Filed under Problem: Peeling

Entry 016Preparing and Staining Exterior Wood Decks

Filed under Problem: Peeling