Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 3/25/2010

Question
QUESTION: Recently we hired a painter to repair and repaint the driveway it was in bad shape a lot of the latex paint used prior was peeled off in many places the painter powerwashed and scraped and when dry painted over with a product that smelled almost toxic before the day was out bubbles started to appear all over the driveway it got progressively worse in the following days we had the painter back to show him but he had no answer and said he would look into the problem we are still waiting for a call back can you tell me what went wrong or what should have been done I think all the old latex should have been removed but I am not an expert can you help?

ANSWER: Hi Carol Ann
there could be a couple of answers. One is that the driveway wasn't completely dry. The driveway my not have been prepped properly according to the paint manufacturers requirements. Or the old paint may have interacted with new paint. Any or all of the above could be the problem. But it boils down to the painter not following proper procedures. I hope this information helps. Please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely Bruce E Johnson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Mr.Johnson
Thank you for your prompt reply the driveway was dry when he painted it or stained it whatever product he used I only know the smell was so bad I had to keep away from the fumes this painter still has not called  back with any kind of solution and the driveway keeps flaking and peeling $750.00 down the drain so to speak my follow up question is what would you do to the driveway next if you were doing the job and was I right to think that all of that water based latex probably should have been completely taken off before hand???     Thanks again CarolAnn

Answer
Hi again CarolAnn, Like I said there are several reasons why your paint is peeling.  If the concrete was dry then chances are the painter used a paint that was incompatible with the existing paint and the existing driveway was not prepared properly.  This could have been done with a proper primer coat to bond the new paint to the old paint.  At this point, if the paint is peeling dramatically everywhere?  I would strip all of the paint off the drivewaychemically or with a sand blaster, acid wash the bare concrete to etch it and then apply the bonding primer followed by several coats of the enamel, epoxy or acrylic paints made specifically for driveway applications. That would be the only true way to give you a driveway coating that will not peel or flake.  I hope this information helps. Please feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com