Paint shows finger prints

Re: what is a good paint for exterior wood?

rbj413 said:

I just painted a hallway with a SW light grey color. I notice that I now can see all finger and hand touches on the wall. When I use water to clean it you can see the towel marks. Is this because if the paint or because of the wall?

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Did you use FLAT paint? What version of SW paint? They have some low, middle, and high grade paint. Most of today's paints take up to 30 days to cure so they are very vulnerable to getting marked up if bumped or touched during that time. What kind of prep did you do on the walls? Did you sand? Did you remove the dust? Did you use any kind of cleaner that left a residue? All of these can affect the paint film in one way or another.

Re: what is a good paint for exterior wood?

Also, fingerprints are greasy and would show on a flat wall. Are you sure the towel marks aren't going away after it dries?

Made this its own thread.

Sounds like flat paint to me. Flat paint is in general not washable, yes I know some say they are. Of course some paint says paint and primer in one too, so the cleaning, scrubbing flat paint is debatable. And a towel is pretty rough.

Brand? Paint line? Sheen? how long since application? Need answers man!

Looks like a one and done post. Sometimes you feel like the toys on Christmas Island

I sanded the wall twice and cleaned it with a water and mild soap. I used SW Emerald in satin. If you run clean fingers over the wall you can see the trail.
T

I am new to this site and could not figure out how to find my post or how to reply.

rbj413 said:

I sanded the wall twice and cleaned it with a water and mild soap. I used SW Emerald in satin. If you run clean fingers over the wall you can see the trail.
T

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How long has it cured? Emerald is normally a pretty strong finish once it's cured. After a few weeks cure time you definitely shouldn't be seeing this.

It has been on over two weeks.

klaatu said:

rbj413 said:

I sanded the wall twice and cleaned it with a water and mild soap. I used SW Emerald in satin. If you run clean fingers over the wall you can see the trail.
T

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How long has it cured? Emerald is normally a pretty strong finish once it's cured. After a few weeks cure time you definitely shouldn't be seeing this.

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rbj413 said:

It has been on over two weeks.

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Most of the new formulations (and Emerald is one of them) take 30 days to cure and harden. These new paints stay "soft" for quite a while and that may be what you are experiencing. Of course without pics, we're taking shots in the dark here.

I do wish we could get pictures of this. 30 days is normal for a paint to cure hard enough to wash it, but two weeks should be long enough to avoid finger prints even on a flat. Especially with a "premium" paint line like Emerald. I have seen this many times with SW products, and no one believes me. So pictures would be nice for the painters who never see the paint after the paint job is done.

Don't you people use robber gloves?

Vannesa said:

Don't you people use robber gloves?

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I left my "robber" gloves at the 7-11 last night when I stopped by to "pick up" some cash.

why would you wear rubber gloves to touch a wall?

When cleaning a painted surface, you should not use a towel or an abrasive cloth. Non ammoniated detergent and a sponge. Otherwise the finish will burnish.