paint peeling (crown wipeable paint)

[Stephen]

Hello,

A couple of years ago we had a room plastered. We allowed the plaster to dry and then we sealed it with a primer and then we painted it. At the time we chose Crown wipeable paint, thinking it would be resilient to splashes, stains, and children!

The problem is it peels. For example, I had just been chiseling a square for a back box and somehow the vibrations have caused the paint to split on the opposite side of the wall. I'm not sure whether to try and glue the edges down or whether to cut them back but I know if I try to pull them off, I will be able to tear a long strip off.

Needless to say, we've changed our brand loyalties and have used Dulux in the other rooms!

Why does this peel in such long strips? Is it a sign that we did not prepare the surface correctly, or is it just a characteristic of the paint? I assume it's an emulsion of plastic and that when it dries it leaves a plastic film on the wall; I guess I am just peeling a strip of this film off?

Thanks in advance.

[geraldthehamster]

What did you use for this first "primer" coat? New plaster should have first a skim coat of diluted emulsion (opinions differ, I dilute with

25% water but others seem to use more). This bonds with the surface of the plaster and allows subsequent coast to bond securely.

Cheers Richard

[Stephen]

Sorry for the late reply. It only peels when damaged, such as knocks and bumps. I can't remember what primer I used, it was a years or three ago, I think it was a (relatively) expensive primer made by International Paints. I've since discovered Blue Hawk primer in B&Q which costs less. Actually the Blue Hawk looks like very watered down emulsion and I have often wondered if I could save even more by using cheap emulsion watered down but I haven't been brave enough to try.

[Tim W]

Stephen wibbled on Thursday 22 October 2009 22:25

I thought that's what everyone did anyway?

The main thing is to use a watered down matt, not vinyl.

I've seen it mentioned on some other forums that Dulux trade emulsion is good for this. I've been watering down white Dulux "Rich Matt" because that's what I happen to have large tubs off, as it's my main ceiling paint (and very good it is too - good coverage and bugger all splatter, at least until you dilute it, then it splatters like the morning after a bad curry).

I won't know if it's worked for 20 years for sure, but the mist coat seems to be soaking in and adhering well to new plaster.

I dilute by about 10-20% (it's a bit random).

Cheers

Tim