Artex Peels: Relentless

fitzgerald99

I've artexed my ceilings and have had problems with it peeling in all rooms. I think this was because I didn't allow it to dry properly most of the time (the box says wait 7-8 days before painting) and when I ran paint over it with the roller, it disturbed the drying artex and caused it to bubble (this was the artex itself bubbling and not just the paint). Then, other times, the paint itself bubbled. I've gathered that the second problem of the paint bubbling was caused by failure to use a mist coat first and simply putting on a normal coat that got the water sucked out of it into the artex, thereby drying too fast.

Anyway, all that is history ... this time I've followed the instructions and allowed the artex to dry thoroughly before painting with two thin mist coats followed by 3 full coats (I used B&Q Colours Brilliant White Matte Emulsion for this and the ceiling just wouldn't go white, hence the multiple coats). Anyway, on one patch, the paint has cracked and bubbled and I can't understand why. I don't think this is a vinyl paint (would that matter?).

This is the picture:
img695.imageshack.us/img695/5860/ceilingspot.jpg

I tried dabbing paint back into the patch but it just cracked again at the ends. So, I've now attempted to seal it using Zinsser BIN, which is why the patch appears darkened (BIN is a yellowy-white because of the shellac content). I'm then planning to dab on successive coats of the remaining B&Q Colours Brilliant White Matte to blend it in.

***Is this a good idea or a dumb one?***

I now also have a tub of Dulux Trade Supermatte which I'm planning to use on the ceiling in the other room. Should I expect better results with that?

Anyway, I gather from various internet sources that the best thing for the next room is:

1. artex
2. 8 days later do 1-2 mist coats with thinned supermatte
3. do a final coat with supermatt

But since mist coats have still resulted in problems, I was thinking of:

1. artex
2. 8 days later seal whole ceiling with Zinsser Bin instead of mist coats
3. do a final coat with supermatt

Thoughts?

Thanks a lot for any answers.

keystone

Link no workee!

Cheers

fitzgerald99

Yeah when I tried to put the link in properly it said I can't post links because I am a new forum user (I've actually had an account for ages but rarely posted). Anyway, if you copy-paste the link into a browser window it will take you to the jpeg image hosted at ImageShack.

Thanks.

keystone

Quick reply because I'm only back home for about 15 minutes.

No the link still doesn't work and thats what I did (copy/paste) last night anyway. Never mind I found the picture early this morning through the other forum you posted this enquiry on!

What has happened is that the artex has not adhered to the substrate. A mist coat is to prepare new plaster or new artex for painting not for over-artexing because the artex won't stick to the paint. BIN won't work either unless you key it because it provides such a smooth surface. In any event thats really a horribly expensive way to prep a ceiling for any purpose.

IMO what you should have used is THIS product to seal your plaster before artexing but I fear you may have an inherent problem with all that you've done so far but only time will tell.

Incidentally if the surface result that is shown in the pic was what you wanted then I'd have suggested using textured paint from the outset and stippled it on!

As far as programme for next room is concerned then use the above BEFORE Artexing - then you can mist coat afterwards and paint.

Your experience has shown that own branded paint from the sheds is basically carp. Its carp because its cheap and thats the only way they can make it cheap by producing an inferior product. Yes use the Supermatt.

Might have missed something from your post for speed atm. Will check back later.

HTH

Cheers

fitzgerald99

Thanks for the tips.

I did try a textured paint first (Polycell Textured Ceilings Coarse Finish) but it didn't provide the finish I was looking for. It had lots of little sand-grain type things in the paint and the texture was different to the milder bumps provided by the artex. I like the artex finish and it goes on a lot easier than the textured paint, which I found hard to roll smoothly. Perhaps there is a better brand of textured paint I've missed??

Anyway, the ceiling is old and has been painted before many times (last time 6 years ago) so I didn't think it needed sealing. It wasn't "plaster" so to speak. Is it necessary to seal a ceiling that has been painted multiple times?

I think I'll get better results with the supermatte. I'm starting the think this B&Q paint may have had a vinyl content.

I appreciate what you're saying about the artex no adhering as I've had that problem in other rooms before, but in this particular case it is the paint itself (not the artex) that has come off, so I'm thinking the paint dried too fast on that bit of artex and formed a film without really sinking in. Admittedly, if the artex was thirstier in that section, it's probably a sign that a sealer under the artex would have been a good idea.

Cheers.

paddypaws101

Artex....WHY?

( sorry to be negative...but have spent hundreds getting rid of the stuff so it is a sore point )

keystone

paddypaws101 wrote: »

Artex....WHY?

( sorry to be negative...but have spent hundreds getting rid of the stuff so it is a sore point )

Very personal decision. Some people like it - I too hate it like the plague but each to his own......

Cheers

fitzgerald99

@paddypaws101

I thought it would cover up some cracks well (actually the cracks reappeared through the artex in one case ... ... but I then got to like the gently stippled effect). I applied it using a textured roller from B&Q.

@keystone

I've just realised how to "thank" people on the forum for answers ... clicked the button for your tips ... hope it worked. Cheers.