HOW TO PREVENT PAINT LAP

What Causes Lap Marks?

Lap marks while painting can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

• Painting in direct sunlight or too much wind, causing the product to dry too quickly
• Applying a different thickness than what is recommended on the Technical Data Sheet (See TDS)
• Using poor-quality paints
• Coating a porous surface that makes the paint dry too quickly

How to Prevent Paint Lap Marks

Use the following methods to prevent lap marks:

• Brush and roll from "wet to dry" rather than vice versa, to produce a smooth, uniform appearance
• Apply a primer or sealer to seal the surface and create uniform porosity when the substrate is very porous (follow label and Technical Data Sheet priming recommendations for bare substrates)
• Use enough paint, a consistent application technique and the right pace to ensure even application
• Paint in manageable area sizes to maintain a “wet edge”

How to Keep a “Wet Edge”

Keeping a wet edge by applying paint a short distance away from the portion you just painted and rolling or brushing back into that wet area prevents lap marks.

• Plan breaks at natural interruptions such as a window, door, or corner
• Cut into planned breaks with a brush while wall paint is still wet
• Use quality paints and apply them per the directions to help avoid lapping