Paint lifting

simmmy_2

Hi, several years ago i had a extension built but i painted the newly plastered walls a little early and in several places when painting the paint lifts/bubbles up and has very little or no adhesion. I am about to re-decorate and maybe wallpaper ... is there a quick fix to this problem without re-plastering, i don't think i could stand the mess let alone the cost.

Thanks.

absent_dad

This is a nightmare problem and I still don't have a 'quick fix' for it.

There are several causes to this the most likely cause is the walls were polished smooth by the plasterer so the paint couldn't 'key' in to get a grip. Once dry it is left like a film over the plaster so once you go over it many years later with a roller it can come off in sheets due to the suction of the new paint on the roller.

On fresh plaster you have to rub it down with fine sand paper, wipe off the dust and paint with a very dilute 50/50 paint, cheaper the better to get a 'mist coat'. Then apply your top coats.

In the past once I notice this happening, the only way I have found to prevent is to go over it with the roller ONCE, do not attempt to go over it again until it is dry, then over again, repeat until you cannot see the old colour.

Wallpapering shouldn't be a problem, you may see bubbles forming under the paper but once dry they should shrink back. If they haven't when dry, use a razor to slice the bubble and push some more past in and stick back down.

Hope this helps.

Be interesting to see if anyone else has a quick fix for this

simmmy_2

Thanks for the reply, the last time i decorated i tried to feather down the edges of the peeled paint but they just seemed to grow, my main concern with papering is when i come to remove the paper and what state the walls will be left in.

MsAnderson

Had this before. One sanded, give each patch a light coat of oil based paint. A thin coat, mind. Leave to dry then lightly roller with your emulsion and leave to dry. Built up coats if previous coat good enough. Or PVA the patches.

WhiteHorse

Try posting this question on the forum at DIYnot.com.