# Lifting

Source: https://coatmentor.com/defects/lifting/ · Updated 2026-10-14

Shrivelling, swelling or puckering of a coat soon after the next coat goes on, often in a ring round the edge of a repair.

*Figure: Lifting: the surface as you see it, and a schematic cross-section.*

## Causes

- Strong solvent in the new coat attacks a weaker, solvent-sensitive coat below.
- Recoating before the coat below has cured.
- A thermoplastic coat under a crosslinked top coat.

## Prevention

- Use coats the maker states are compatible.
- Test a small area first when overcoating an unknown old coating.

## How it is assessed

Visual, during or soon after application.

## Telling it apart

- **[Wrinkling](https://coatmentor.com/defects/wrinkling/):** Wrinkling forms in one coat when its surface dries before the body below. Lifting is a coat below swelling under the solvent of the new coat.
- **[Blistering](https://coatmentor.com/defects/blistering/):** Blisters are separate domes and can take weeks to appear. Lifting shows within minutes or hours of the new coat.

## Repair

Let the film harden, remove the lifted coating, and recoat with a compatible product. The specification and the coating manufacturer have the final word on the repair procedure.

**6** practice items in the members area mention lifting (CIP 1: 3 · CIP 2: 2 · FROSIO written: 1).

## Related

- **Concepts:** [Drying, curing and recoat windows](https://coatmentor.com/learn/cure-and-recoat/) · [Protective coating types](https://coatmentor.com/learn/coating-types/)
- **Standards:** [SSPC-PA 1](https://coatmentor.com/standards/sspc-pa-1/)

## About this page

Written from coating practice and the published rating standards, in our own words; the drawing is schematic. Checked on 2026-10-14; errors go in the [corrections log](https://coatmentor.com/method/). CoatMentor is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with ISO, AMPP, SSPC, NACE International, ASTM or FROSIO.