How to Deal with Cracked Paint in Corner?

radderfire · 5 Mar 2018 at 16:19

I need to repaint my bathroom. Please see the image below. The corner has cracked paint running down it. The wall on the left I believe is wood which is to block in the soil pipe. The wall on the right is normal wall. How should I tackle this corner when redecorating?

Should I chip out the existing flaky paint? Should I use a product to give the corner a smooth finish? Would this be a silicone? Do I need a special type of silicone?

Thanks

Molep · 5 Mar 2018 at 16:29

I would just scrape it out, run some decorators caulk down it, leave to dry for a day then paint it with undercoat before topcoat.

gort · 8 Mar 2018 at 14:50

Could also use "crack-free" or "flexible paint." Various brands, don't know what's best though. Might assist in eliminating/reducing cracks appearing.

Psycho Sonny · 8 Mar 2018 at 16:20

polyfilla, sand, paint

thezappa · 8 Mar 2018 at 17:31

Psycho Sonny said:
polyfilla, sand, paint

This.
Unless it’s just cracked paint in which case rub down to feather in with surrounding paint then re-coat.

fornowagain · 8 Mar 2018 at 17:49

If you don't want it to come back. Strip of fiberglass mesh tape, filler and an internal corner trowel.

Kiyoshi · 9 Mar 2018 at 08:56

Any type of flexible filler would stop it cracking again. It's cracking because the two walls are different materials and there will be very slight flexing of the left wall against the right wall. I have some of this leftover from doing our coving, and it's perfect for stuff like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Artex-Easifix-Cove-Joint-Filler/dp/B0051GNVAY it's branded for 'coving' but it doesn't make any difference.

rubberduck · 9 Mar 2018 at 16:00

Molep said:
I would just scrape it out, run some decorators caulk down it, leave to dry for a day then paint it with undercoat before topcoat.

This is what I would do too.

Solus · 9 Mar 2018 at 22:35

Yup, what caulk was made for

radderfire · 10 Mar 2018 at 17:25

I've just discovered that the "cracked paint" in the corner is more like a hard slightly rubbery substance. I am now wondering whether it's ok to scrape it out, or whether it might have a structural purpose and is holding the left wall in place? I'm thinking probably not and it's ok to scrape out, any thoughts?

Minstadave · 10 Mar 2018 at 17:29

I’d just scrape it out and run a bit of fine filler down the corner. Haven’t ever had problems before and no need to sand if you use it sparingly.

radderfire · 11 Mar 2018 at 09:31

I've scraped out what was there, which I am guessing was some kind of rubbery adhesive. There is now a gap running down the corner, which is typically 3mm but goes up to 5mm. How would I bridge this gap? I'm now thinking maybe I shouldn't have taken the existing stuff out, but it would have been hard to cover it nicely. I need a way of covering without having to use too much filler. Any ideas?

Molep · 12 Mar 2018 at 13:50

Caulk it.
Rubbery stuff is probably painted silicone stuff.

Abyss · 13 Mar 2018 at 09:52

Use decorators caulk as previously recommended. It's exactly what it's designed for, is easy to work with and will fill a 5mm gap. Run a thin line of it down the wall with a mastic gun then smooth it with your finger.

The existing rubbery material will just be previous silicone or mastic that's been used. It won't have any structural purpose whatsoever.

Pocah · 14 Mar 2018 at 08:07

Don't use decorators caulk. It has a nasty habit of contracting over time. Just get some ordinary powder filler and mix it up with a solution of 8:1 pva mixed with water and apply with some rubber gloves on.

Solus · 14 Mar 2018 at 23:05

The cheap caulk does. Try nemesis caulk at screwfix, perfect for the job

Abyss · 16 Mar 2018 at 11:42

Pocah said:
Don't use decorators caulk. It has a nasty habit of contracting over time. Just get some ordinary powder filler and mix it up with a solution of 8:1 pva mixed with water and apply with some rubber gloves on.

The product is designed for exactly this scenario, is flexible and used by every single decorator I've ever seen or worked with. As @Solus mentions use decent caulk.