Paint is separating from the wall, does it all have to come off?

NibblyPig

Was trying to fill in some cracks/marks in paint, as I ran the trowel over it, it went under the paint and I pulled a large chunk off to reveal the plaster underneath. I realised that I could probably take the paint off the *entire wall* if I just kept running the trowel under it, as it wasn't adhered properly.

This wall was painted about a year ago by me, on top of previously existing white paint that was there years ago when I moved in. Can glide my trowel under it and separate huge swathes of it.

Is paint supposed to do this or is there a disaster occurring? Do I really need to peel off the paint from the entire wall or is there another solution?

stuart45

That's happens when the wall wasn't mist coated first. The emulsion does not adhere to the plaster properly.

grumbler

NibblyPig said:

Do I really need to peel off the paint from the entire wall

I am afraid, you do, at least from the areas where you can do this easily.

NibblyPig

Seems like the entire wall. I guess who originally painted it didn't do it properly. Do you think I need to use a proper primer from the shop, or just dilute some of my white paint 20water/80paint as I've read online?

stuart45

A mist coat is normally fine on fresh plaster, but then painting isn't my trade so you may be getting some different and better advice soon.

Homer_home

NibblyPig said:

Seems like the entire wall. I guess who originally painted it didn't do it properly. Do you think I need to use a proper primer from the shop, or just dilute some of my white paint 20water/80paint as I've read online?

Just dilute your white paint, I was taught 60/40 mix paint to water for a mist coat

You will have to remove all the lose paint and give the wall a rub down first though