Adhesion Issues

PAint Not Adhering

    • Paint scratches off easily

    • Paint peels when tape is removed

    • Paint separates or pulls away from the surface

    • Paint can be scraped off with a fingernail

    • Large sections lift from a slick surface

    Paint adheres in some areas but not others

  • Poor adhesion is most often caused by a problem between the coating and the surface beneath it.

    Possible causes include:

    • Grease, dirt, cooking residue, or body oils

    • Furniture polish

    • Silicone-based cleaning products

    • Wax

    • Oil-based conditioning products

    • Soap or cleaner residue

    • An extremely glossy or nonporous surface

    • Inadequate sanding

    • A failing existing finish

    • Paint applied over loose or peeling material

    • Insufficient drying or curing time

    • Incompatible products

    • Painting in temperatures that are too cold

    • Painting over damp wood or a damp surface

  • If the paint is still wet, remove it from the affected area and clean the surface again.

    If the paint has dried but is peeling or easily scratching away:

    1. Stop applying additional coats.

    2. Allow the surface to dry fully.

    3. Remove all loose or poorly adhered paint.

    4. Sand the affected area until the remaining finish is stable.

    5. Clean the surface thoroughly.

    6. Rinse away cleaner residue.

    7. Allow the piece to dry completely.

    8. Scuff sand the surface.

    9. Apply Clear Bonding Primer when working over a slick or questionable finish.

    10. Reapply Morphose in thin coats.

    If the underlying finish is peeling, flaking, or unstable, it may need to be removed before repainting. New paint cannot permanently secure a failing coating beneath it.

    • Clean every project thoroughly before sanding.

    • Rinse away cleaner residue.

    • Scuff sand glossy surfaces.

    • Remove wax and furniture polish completely.

    • Use Clear Bonding Primer on slick, nonporous, or questionable finishes.

    • Complete an adhesion test before painting the entire piece.

    • Allow adequate drying and curing time.

Paint Scratching Easily

    • The finish marks when touched with a fingernail

    • Objects leave scratches or dents

    • Cabinet doors show wear soon after painting

    • The finish feels dry but remains vulnerable

    • Paint rubs away along edges or handles

  • Fresh paint reaches its full hardness gradually. A coating may be dry to the touch but still be in the early stages of curing.

    Other possible causes include:

    • The paint has not fully cured

    • Coats were applied too heavily

    • Drying time between coats was insufficient

    • The surface was contaminated

    • The piece was returned to use too soon

    • The surface requires more protection for its intended use

    • A slick surface was not properly prepared

    • The paint was excessively diluted

    • Cold or humid conditions slowed curing

  • Allow the piece additional curing time in a climate-controlled environment with good air circulation.

    Morphose typically requires approximately 20 to 30 days to achieve its full cure under normal indoor conditions. Thick coats, cool temperatures, humidity, and limited airflow can extend this period.

    During curing:

    • Avoid heavy use.

    • Do not scrub the surface.

    • Do not drag objects across it.

    • Keep doors and drawers from resting tightly against freshly painted surfaces.

    • Use felt pads and protective barriers where needed.

    • Keep standing water off the finish.

    If the paint continues to scratch away after a full cure, test adhesion in an inconspicuous area. If adhesion is poor, the surface may need to be sanded back, cleaned, primed, and repainted.

    For high-use surfaces, apply Armadillo Topcoat after the paint is thoroughly dry.

    • Apply thin coats.

    • Allow each coat to dry fully.

    • Prepare the surface properly.

    • Allow the full curing period before normal use.

    • Use Armadillo Topcoat on cabinetry, desks, tabletops, and other high-use surfaces.

Paint Peeling

    • Paint lifts in sheets

    • Paint pulls away at edges

    • Paint peels around hardware

    • Paint lifts when tape is removed

    • Topcoat and paint peel together

    • Wax, silicone, grease, or polish beneath the paint

    • Insufficient sanding

    • An unstable existing finish

    • Moisture beneath the coating

    • Painting over a nonporous surface without bonding primer

    • Incompatible underlying products

    • Excessive paint thickness

    • Premature handling

    • Tape left in place too long

    • Tape removed after the paint began curing

  • Remove all loose material. Do not paint over peeling areas.

    Feather-sand the edges of the remaining sound paint until the transition feels smooth. Clean the area, allow it to dry, and use the appropriate primer before repainting.

    When peeling is widespread, the most reliable repair may require removing the coating and beginning again with proper surface preparation.

    • Remove contaminants thoroughly.

    • Sand glossy surfaces.

    • Use Clear Bonding Primer where needed.

    • Do not apply paint over loose coatings.

    • Remove painter’s tape while the final coat is still slightly wet or score the edge carefully before removal.

    • Avoid closing doors or drawers tightly while the finish is curing.

Fisheyes Or CRaters Appearing

    • Paint pulls away in small circles

    • Tiny bare spots remain

    • The coating separates around contaminated areas

    • Repeated coats avoid the same spots

  • Fisheyes are commonly caused by surface contamination, especially:

    • Silicone furniture polish

    • Oil

    • Grease

    • Wax

    • Aerosol cleaning products

    • Lubricants

    • Skin-care products transferred by handling

  • Stop painting. Applying more paint over the contamination usually does not solve the problem.

    Allow the area to dry, sand away the affected coating, and clean the surface thoroughly with an appropriate degreasing or contaminant-removal process.

    Rinse, dry, sand, and apply Clear Bonding Primer before repainting.

    Severe silicone contamination can be difficult to eliminate and may require repeated cleaning and testing.

    • Clean thoroughly before sanding.

    • Avoid silicone-based furniture products in the workspace.

    • Wear clean gloves when handling prepared surfaces.

    • Test vintage or polished furniture before painting the full piece.

Wax or Topcoat Not Adhering

    • Topcoat beads up

    • Wax smears rather than spreading evenly

    • Protective finish separates

    • The surface develops fisheyes or bare spots

    • Silicone, oil, polish, or wax is present

    • The paint is not dry enough

    • The surface was contaminated during handling

    • Products are incompatible

    • Cleaning residue remains

    • The paint was excessively polished or burnished

  • Stop application and allow the surface to dry.

    Remove the failed material as directed by the product manufacturer. Clean the surface carefully and test again in a hidden area.

    When using products from different manufacturers, compatibility cannot be assumed.

    • Use Mélange products as a coordinated finishing system.

    • Test unfamiliar product combinations.

    • Keep the painted surface clean before topcoating.

    • Allow adequate drying time.

    • Avoid silicone-based cleaners and furniture polishes.

Wax, Silicone, Grease & Polish Contamination

    • Paint beads up, separates, or pulls away from the surface

    • Small circular craters or fisheyes appear

    • Paint adheres in some areas but not others

    • The finish scratches, peels, or wipes away easily

    • Repeated coats avoid the same spots

    • Primer or topcoat will not spread evenly

    • The surface feels slick, oily, or unusually smooth

    • Adhesion problems return after sanding and repainting

  • Furniture can hold invisible residue from years of cleaning, polishing, handling, and household use. Even a small amount of contamination can prevent water-based paint or primer from bonding properly.

    Common sources include:

    • Furniture wax

    • Silicone-based furniture polish

    • Grease and cooking residue

    • Body oils and hand creams

    • Oil-based furniture conditioners

    • Aerosol cleaning products

    • Soap or degreaser residue

    • Lubricants used around hinges or drawers

    • Fragrance oils and household sprays

    • Previous wax, oil, or polishing treatments

    • Contaminated sanding tools, cloths, or brushes

    Silicone contamination is especially difficult because it can spread across the surface during cleaning or sanding and may continue causing fisheyes through additional coats.

  • Stop painting when contamination is suspected. Adding more paint usually does not solve the problem.

    Then:

    1. Allow the affected coating to dry completely.

    2. Remove loose, peeling, or separated paint.

    3. Clean the surface thoroughly with an appropriate degreasing or wax-removal product.

    4. Repeat the cleaning process if the cloth continues to pick up residue.

    5. Rinse or wipe away all cleaner residue.

    6. Allow the surface to dry completely.

    7. Sand the area with clean sandpaper.

    8. Remove all sanding dust.

    9. Apply Clear Bonding Primer.

    10. Test the repair before continuing with the full project.

    Use fresh cloths and clean sanding materials throughout the process. Reusing contaminated tools may spread wax, grease, or silicone back onto the surface.

    Severe or widespread contamination may require repeated cleaning, more aggressive sanding, or complete removal of the existing finish before repainting.

    • Clean every piece thoroughly before sanding.

    • Pay special attention to tabletops, drawer fronts, chair arms, cabinet doors, and areas around hardware.

    • Remove furniture wax and polish completely.

    • Rinse away all cleaner or degreaser residue.

    • Use fresh, lint-free cloths.

    • Replace sanding pads or paper that may have collected wax or oil.

    • Avoid silicone-based furniture products in the painting workspace.

    • Handle prepared surfaces with clean, dry hands or gloves.

    • Do not use furniture polish shortly before painting.

    • Complete an adhesion test on vintage, heavily polished, or unknown finishes.

    • Use Clear Bonding Primer when contamination or surface history is uncertain.