Poor Hiding/Grinning: Failure of dried paint to obscure or “hide” the surface to which it is applied. Possible causes: Use of low quality paint. Use of low quality tools and wrong roller cover. Use of an improper combination or tinting base and tinting colour. Poor flow and leveling (see poor flow/leveling). Use of a paint that is much lighter in colour than the substrate, or that primarily contains low-hiding organic pigments such as light yellows and pinks. Application of paint at a higher spread rate than recommended Remedy: If the substrate is significantly darker or is a patterned wallpaper, it should be primed before applying a top coat. Use a top 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.