Reddish-brown stains on the paint surface are called nail head rusting and are usually a sign that the surrounding wood may be rotting.

What are the possible causes?

• Non-galvanized iron nails exposed to moisture
• Nails not properly countersunk
• Nail heads not caulked with siliconized caulk before painting
• Frequent exposure to damp wood

What is the solution?

• Completely remove the nail and replace with a new nail
• Wire brush each nail head until bare shiny metal
• Clean and spot priming with appropriate Berger primer
• Caulk nail heads with paintable Berger acrylic caulk
• Topcoat with premium Berger acrylic or oil paint

We recommend you use these painting systems in order of base coat, first coat, and second coat:

Patchiness generally occurs when insufficient paint has been applied or when paint is applied unevenly, resulting in a variation of the film build leading to patches.

What are the possible causes?

• Inconsistent distribution of paint on the surface
• Incorrect or low quality paint brush or roller
• Failure to apply a primer over joint compound
• Applying paint over joint compound not fully dried
• The top coat is applied over spot-puttied surfaces
• Variations in surface gloss can cause paint to appear patchy

What is the solution?

• Increase the amount of paint on the brush or roller to allow better distribution
• Apply the paint in a grid fashion to ensure an even finish
• Allow puttied wall to dry evenly before priming
• By applying one coat of appropriate premium Berger Primer
• Apply two coats of premium Berger acrylic topcoat
• Refer to Berger Technical Support for primer options

We recommend you use these painting systems in order of base coat, first coat, and second coat:

Poor hiding occurs when paint fails to obscure or hide the surface to which it is applied.

What are the possible causes?

• Using low-quality paint with little hiding power
• Spreading paint too thinly or unevenly
• Over-thinning paint beyond the recommended amount
• Failure to prime the surface before top-coating
• Painting a porous or absorbent surface
• Using incorrect or poor quality tools
• Inadequately mixed paint

What is the solution?

• Prime first, if moving from a significantly darker to a light colour
• When painting in a dark colour, tint primer in a similar tone to the topcoat shade
• Use premium quality paint for better hiding and flow
• Use quality and correct tools for the job
• Follow manufacturer’s recommendation for thinning

We recommend you use these painting systems in order of base coat, first coat, and second coat: