Dove Grey

Until the 1950s, almost all coatings used inside and outside the house were solvent-based—oil paint. It worked well, but was time-consuming to apply, took at least a day to dry, emitted strong odors, and had to be cleaned up with potent solvents like turpentine. Then came the postwar housing boom, gypsum drywall replacing plaster, and…

Many factors can contribute to paint problems, including poor-quality siding that twists and buckles, and porous vapor barriers that allow interior moisture to seep through walls and put pressure on the paint film from the inside out. Most are solved by cleaning, scraping, and sanding. But recognizing the conditions and their causes can help prevent…