Toubleshooting Paint Problems: Hatbanding

Problem

The paint on the edges of the wall are darker than the rest of the wall.

Causes

This non-uniform appearance occurs when a wall is painted with a roller and the edges (where the roller cannot reach) are "cut in" with a brush. The brushed areas generally appear darker, thus resembling a picture frame or hatband. Sprayed areas may be darker than neighboring sections that are brushed or rolled. Here are other causes:

• Applying a thicker layer of paint with the cut-in brush at the edge than with the roller or sprayer on the rest of the wall
• Not maintaining a wet edge while painting (applying wet paint over dry or almost dry paint at the edges)
• Incompletely mixing the paint, so ingredients that have settled to the bottom are not uniformly incorporated

Prevention

• So that overlapping areas meld into a single coat, make sure the cut in area is still wet. If the edge has begun to dry when you paint the wall, the overlaps have two coats and look darker.
• Cut in only a portion of a room — no more than one wall — before rolling. Working in smaller sections helps maintain a wet edge. Only cut in as narrow an area as needed, usually 1 to 2 inches; roll on paint as close to the corner as possible.
• Apply the coating as uniformly as possible with whatever applicator you use — brush, roller or sprayer.
• Thoroughly shake all paints before use, even factory-blended colors and whites.

2008 Dutch Boy Group