Discover the putty isn't sticking after 80% of the work has been done? The only correct solution is to avoid taking unnecessary detours.

When a large area of exterior putty has already been applied, but you suddenly notice powdering, weak adhesion, or peeling, the correct response is:

👉 Stop work immediately + Diagnose accurately + Apply the right solution.
Below is a professional, engineering-level guide.

Step 1: Stop All Work and Diagnose the Issue

🔹 1. Check the severity

• Mild:
  Slight powdering with a nail; tape test pulls off light powder.

• Moderate:
  Heavy powdering when rubbed; tape removes large patches.

• Severe:
  Putty can be removed easily with a scraper; layer is loose and weak.

🔹 2. Common causes

• Substrate issues

  • Weak, chalky, or sandy base

  • Dust, oil, or release agents

  • Highly absorbent substrate, not pre-wetted

  • Smooth concrete without bonding agent

• Putty issues

  • Low-quality or expired putty

  • Wrong additives mixed by workers

  • Poor mixing

• Application issues

• One-pass overly thick application

• Applying next layer before the previous layer dries

• Fast drying due to heat, wind, or sun exposure

Step 2: Apply the Correct Treatment Based on Severity

🟢 Solution A: Mild Problems (Substrate is solid, slight surface powdering)

1. Sand thoroughly to remove the weak layer.

2. Clean all dust using a brush or blower.

3. Apply a high-penetration wall hardener / bonding agent
   (This is critical to rebuild adhesion.)

4. Re-apply a thin layer of high-quality exterior waterproof putty.

🔴 Solution B: Moderate to Severe Problems (Loose putty layer)

👉 Full removal and redo is necessary**

This is the only reliable, long-term solution.

1. Remove all existing putty until solid cement or concrete is exposed.

2. Clean the substrate thoroughly using a steel brush and damp cloth.

3. Apply a high-performance bonding agent
   (epoxy or concrete bonding primer recommended).

4. Reapply exterior waterproof putty, ensuring:

• Proper mixing

• Thin-layer multiple applications

• Each layer fully dried

• No施工 under heat, wind, or direct sunlight

Step 3: Final Inspection & Lessons Learned

1. Re-check all surfaces

Even areas that seemed fine at first.

2. Perform tape adhesion test again

Only after passing should primer and paint be applied.

3. Learn these essential lessons

• Use trusted brands and compliant exterior putty.

• Proper substrate preparation is non-negotiable.

• Follow standard施工 procedures strictly.

• Always do a sample area test before large-scale work.

Conclusion

Poor adhesion on exterior putty may seem costly to repair, but trying to “patch” the problem will only cause:

❌ peeling
❌ blistering
❌ water penetration
❌ large-scale repainting in the future

👉 The best—and most economical—solution is to fix it thoroughly the first time.

If you need formulation optimization, putty performance improvement, or construction guidance, I can help you refine the best solution.