Windows – deterioration of paint or clear finish

Paint or clear finish deteriorating on sashes, frames, sills, reveals

Causes

UV exposure

Listed under: Interior, finishes, clear finishes, paint, windows

Cause

UV exposure

Repair

  • clear or lightly pigmented coatings are vulnerable to ageing of the underlying timber and loss of coating adhesion under UV light from the sun. Some timber producers do not recommend clear finishes for timber elements fully exposed to the sun. Clear finishes are likely to need frequent recoating – this could be as often as every 2 or 3 years, or even less in extreme circumstances
  • poor quality coatings and/or poor surface preparation are also likely to require more frequent recoating
  • scrape or sand off the existing coating to give a clean, as-new timber surface. Apply the selected coating to a clean and dry surface. If you want to avoid frequent rework, opt for a coating such as a good quality enamel paint that is likely to have a much longer lifespan than a clear coating

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