Failure of dried paint to obscure or 'hide' the surface to which it is applied.
Use of low quality paint
Use of low quality tools/wrong roller cover
Use of an improper combination of tinting base and tinting colour
Poor flow and levelling (see Poor flow/levelling)
Use of a paint that is much lighter in colour than the substrate or that primarily contains low-hiding organic pigments
Application of paint at a higher spread rate than recommended
If the substrate is significantly darker or is patterned wallpaper, it should be primed before applying a top coat. Use premium quality paint for better hiding and flow.
Use quality tools; use the recommended roller nap, if rolling. Follow manufacturer's recommendation on spread rate; if using tinted paint, use the correct tinting base.
Where a low-hiding organic colour must be used, apply a primer first. Dulux recommends Dulux One Step® Acrylic Primer Sealer Undercoat with Dulux Wash&Wear® +Plus Super Hide to maximise the opacity of a coating system over a standard interior broad wall surface.
Yellowing describes the development of a yellow cast in ageing paint solvent-based enamels.
Wrinkling is a term to describe a rough, crinkled paint surface, which occurs when uncured paint forms a 'skin'.
Sagging is the downward "drooping" movement of the paint film immediately after application that results in an uneven coating.