Paint Peeling on Hardboard or Wood - Causes & Solutions

There are many reasons why paint eventually peels or flakes away from wood. For the most part, paint peeling is a minor and easily fixed problem. However, when the wood in question is structural in nature, and peeling paint exposes it to rot or insects, the issue can very quickly prove expensive or even dangerous.
 

Compatibility

At its most basic, applying paint to wood initiates a series of subtle, chemical reactions. These reactions never completely stop, even when the paint is long dried. It is very important to choose a paint which can properly penetrate the wood you wish to paint and properly bond to it. Paints that do not bond to certain woods often do not take very long to start cracking, peeling and flaking away once they are dry. Likewise, some paints cannot soak far enough into woods that are too dense. Even though a particular paint generally bonds well to wood, if the surfaces are too smooth the bonding is nevertheless sub-optimal. Sanding before painting is important in order to rough up slick surfaces and give the paint a grip on the previous paint, or to open the surface of the wood for the absorption of paint.
 

Sunlight

One of the surest ways of changing a paint's chemistry and causing its bonds to the wood to fail is the action of UV light. Simple sunlight can eventually cause paint to crack and flake. If the surface you are painting is typically exposed to a great deal of sunlight, UV resistant paints are a much better and cheaper choice in the long run.
 

Wet and Dry

Another factor that can cause wood paint to crack and flake is if the wood absorbs water in wet conditions. Wet wood expands, which quickly begins to crack the paint. In addition, water tends to repel most oil-based paint, which causes the paint to lift away from wood that is wet underneath. Likewise, as wood dries, it contracts, which causes the paint to crack and flake even more severely. The best way to prevent this is to make sure the wood is properly cured and use water-resistant paint over the entire wood surface.
 

Heat and Cold

Extremes in temperature can also compromise the integrity of wood paint, simply because the paint tends to expand and contract in response to temperature at a different rate than the wood it covers. For this reason, woods that are exposed to such temperature extremes need paints that are appropriate for heat or cold.

One final cause of paint flaking and cracking is simple wear and tear. In such a case, touch ups and repainting with heavy duty paints are sometimes the only solution. Using well-cured wood, proper wood prep and the appropriate paint for the weather conditions common to your area, go a long way to insuring your paint job stays looking fresh for as long as possible.

Spot prime all bare areas for better adhesion, sheen uniformity, mildew control and durability. 
Select a top quality exterior paint in the color and sheen of your choice.

Substrate: Hardboard, Wood 
Primer: 255 Stain Lock II Acrylic Primer 
Finish Coats: 1240 Acry-Shield Exterior Flat Finish 
1245 Acry-Velvet Ext. Low Sheen Finish 
1250 Acry-Lustre Ext. Semi-Gloss Finish 
1235 Seasons Ext. 100% Acrylic Flat 
1236 Seasons Ext. 100% Acrylic Low Sheen