Urgent decorating problem + Advice

Magic_x_uk · 26 Feb 2006 at 22:00

Hi, had a slight strange problem today.

Started to decorate the Kitchen / Dining room at home. The ceiling in the kitchen had some paint that was cracking so i rubbed it down with a wire brush etc so that the whole ceiling was ok.

Started painting with a roller on the ceiling and within 5 - 10 minutes the paint, including the old paint was coming off in chunks. I left it for a while then went back to it and you can pull of huge strips of paint from the ceiling, the ceiling is also artexed,

I have never had this before and have no idea what to do. perhaps some of you out there can shed some light and help me out. Do i have to strip the whole ceiling of the old paint, or is there some sort of primer , specialist product that i can get and put on.

Im at a loss

Thank you

phykell · 26 Feb 2006 at 22:03

You need to stabilise the surface first. Try either a specialised stabilising solution for old paint or a watered down PVA solution. Read the new paint's container as well, it might have some specific instructions for painting over existing paint.

Dolph · 26 Feb 2006 at 22:05

Sounds like dust/dirt or grease on the ceiling stopping the paint from sticking, or a bad reaction between the two paints.

Did you clean the ceiling (sugarsoap and water or similar), then sealing the paintwork with a mix of pva glue and water before you painted it? Or just brushed it off? If so that could well be your problem.

You shouldn't need to strip the old paint off (you'll take the artex with it if you try) but giving the paintwork a good clean and seal/prime before you you start will do wonders.

Preparation is the key

Magic_x_uk · 26 Feb 2006 at 22:06

Okay, i shall have a look in the likes of B & Q tomorrow morning, is this a "normal problem" as in, it happens, nothign to worry about ?

never known this though before and i am now in my 3rd house and always decorated before without this happening

Cheers, DOLPH,

I shall get some sugar soap as well, I do prepare well, always have, known that that is the key to getting a gooj job done right 1st time. this is just something i have not come across before. god damn annoying as well as the new ceiling colour is white and the old one is a kind of light pink.

Could be grease though on the ceiling as it is in the kitchen.

phykell · 26 Feb 2006 at 22:14

chef said:
Could be grease though on the ceiling as it is in the kitchen.

Yes, definitely give it a good clean. You *can* use a little bit of carbolic soap in water if you've got any rather than a trip out to buy sugar soap. Sugar soap should do the trick but kitchen grease can be difficult to clean off a large surface, especially a porous one. Another one that is difficult is the sticky grime from cigarette smoke. Again, carbolic does a better job of shifting it than sugar soap...

starscream · 26 Feb 2006 at 22:47

When I moved into my flat, the bathroom and kitchens had been done up, but they must have used very cheap paint on the ceilings because after 6 months or so, it started cracking and peeling and coming off. Right above the shower, it had started to look a bit mouldy as well. I got some of this stuff from B&Q

http://www.polycell.co.uk/webapp/wc...10302&catalogId=4&langId=-1&categoryId=310006

Look at the 3 at the bottom of the page (Textured Ceilings). I got the coarse finish, but they do matt and silk ripples as well. It's been absolutely brilliant, It only needed one coat (its really thick) and has been fine for the last 18 months. There's no sign that it would peal or anything. I think 1 tub (about £20) did both my bathroom and kitchen (although they are both quite small)

BrenOS · 26 Feb 2006 at 22:53

Get her to help. Blame halved.

Hades · 26 Feb 2006 at 23:39

Sand down, fill any cracks then sand down again.
Clean with sugar soap.
Stabilise with a PVA solution.
Paint.

Magic_x_uk · 27 Feb 2006 at 21:40

Right, found out what it is. So i shall let you lot know incase you ever come upon this problem.

What it is, new houses when they are plastered, dont get enough time to dry before paint goes on. So "sometimes" when you paint, the paint is too heavy for the original layer of paint to hold onto the plaster so it basically falls of. All i had to do what remove all the paint from the ceiling and use a primer sealer, then paint, and paint again. Only taken me a full day to sort out a single ceiling.

Oh how i love decorating

BigBoy · 27 Feb 2006 at 22:03

Just solved this problem in my bathroom mate buy some Oil based paint Dulux do a good range Eggshell base is the best and it will seal the artex back to the plasterboard adn will waterproof the artex aswell.