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@mwichary@mastodon.online

Post #1174508

2026-04-14 01:00 UTC

What causes this type of deterioration? Is it just the topmost paint layers fading away and exposing previous ones, so in effect we’re watching the painting process in reverse? Or more complicated than that?

Replies (5)

  • @debcha@saturation.social 2026-04-14 01:08

    @mwichary Do you mean deterioration of paint generally, or those specific brush-like patterns?

    Open ##1625014

  • @colinstu@birdbutt.com 2026-04-14 01:10

    @mwichary I'd just assume/guess poor adhesion due to poor or no prep work / priming. The parts that did not stick as well, wear away easier/quicker, leaving behind what did adhere. If it's something else I'd love to hear. Another idea: a reaction between different kinds of paints (oil vs latex or whatever). This kinda falls under poor/wrong prep though. I've seen reactions like that between paints, poor adhesion, etc.

    Open ##1625023

  • @debcha@saturation.social 2026-04-14 01:16

    @mwichary I think the most important contributor is probably light (ie photolysis) — red tends to be particularly sensitive to this so probably not a coincidence that three of your examples are red paint — but other contributors to weathering might include water, air (ie ozone), expansion/contraction with temperature (which is likely different for the paint and the substrate) etc. [This is a generally informed expert opinion, but I’m not a conservator or anything.]

    Open ##1625024

  • @debcha@saturation.social 2026-04-14 01:21

    @mwichary [I think it’s probable that municipal signage/professional sign painters would have appropriately primed and prepped surfaces for good paint adhesion, but time and high-energy photons come for us all]

    Open ##1625025

  • @mwichary Paint or touch ups weren’t always UV resistant. Weather tends to weather everything . The paints binders breakdown it becomes like powder.

    Open ##1625026