Bookcase Paint Problems... Latex Paint is Still Sticky
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by DaveP on 14 April 2009
This issue really annoys me. I used a Behr semi-gloss latex paint to paint one of my bookcases about a year ago. I prepped the surface properly - cleaned it, primed it, the whole nine yards - and applied one thin coat of paint with a foam roller.
Then I just left the sucker alone and let it dry, knowing that it would be sticky for the first month or so.
However, one year later, objects still stick to the shelves. The bookcases are not sticky to the touch, but anything left on them for a prolonged period sticks. I've researched the problem, and found that latex paints have blocking issues (I guess the industry jargon for stickiness is "blocking") and things will continue to stick to the shelves whenever it gets humid.
So that stinks, but I'm wondering what to do now. Is Behr paint just worse than other latex paint (as far as blocking is concerned)? Will using a latex Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams work better? Or should I just go with an oil-based paint and bypass the blocking issue? Anyone have any suggestions?
Part of the Project
Corner Bookcases
I started these bookcases about a year ago (yeah, I'm a huge procrastinator) but now I'm getting geared up to finally finish them. The book...
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Comments
Ryan on 20 April 2009
I don't know much about latex paint... though I was wondering why you chose to use it. I know it can be pretty thick--did you chose it to cover up the grain of the MDF?
How about putting a coat of lacquer on top?
Mike on 9 June 2009
I had the same problem with a Behr semi-gloss once. I put a coat of clear, gloss polycrylic over the paint and it seemed to work well. Nothing has really stuck to my shelves since then (although I had some minor sticking for the first month or so after applying the polycrylic). Maybe that's worth a try?
Cindi on 25 June 2009
I read an article yesterday online about this issue. I feel the paint manufacturer's should tell people not to use semi-gloss latex paint on shelves or doors that will have something touching it eventually! However, in the article I read it was suggested repainting the shelves with alkaloid oil based paint is the best solution. I am NOT doing this. He also said sprinkling with talcum powder or applying a coat of wax would be a doable solution. I tried the powder & it solved the problem. The shelves still seem a teeny bit tacky, but stuff isn't sticking fast to them. GL
Anna on 6 July 2009
Boy do I know what you mean. A few years ago my husband was painting the front door to our house. We left it off a couple of days (blocked the door with a sheet of plywood in the mean time) and didn't attach the weather stripping for months until it finally got cold. You guessed it, the weatherstripping peeled the paint in several spots.
The front door still looks like crap when you open it. I haven't had the heart to redo it.
DaveP on 13 July 2009
Thanks for the great comment guys!
Ryan - I chose it because it's easier to clean up than oil and doesn't smell as bad.
Mike - the polycrylic could work but "nothing has really stuck" doesn't exactly sound like a ringing endorsement. lol
Cindi - couldn't agree with you more. I was looking at Consumer Reports paint ratings the other day and many of the brands had an excellent rating when it came to stickiness (but seeing as Behr semi-gloss was included I doubt I'd agree with these ratings). I'd like to see how oil-based paints compare, but it looks like they don't rate them for some reason
Anna - Sorry to hear about the door. That really stinks...
DaveP on 13 July 2009
I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and just repaint with oil-based paint. I like working with latex, but if things are going to stick to it forever it's not worth it. I've heard suggestions for dealing with the problem but I just want to avoid it all together. I'll let you guys know how things turn out. Thanks for the advice