Cracking/peeling ceiling paint
#1
02-26-13, 12:35 PM
Cracking/peeling ceiling paint
I moved into a house about a year ago that is 20+ years old, and was abused and neglected for at least 5 of the years prior to me moving in. I am taking some time off of work to do some home repair projects, and one of the ones that I am attempting to finish is becoming somewhat of a problem. I am removing all of the popcorn ceiling throughout the house (it is unpainted and only has drywall under it - no paint or primer) and priming and painting the ceilings after the popcorn is taken down.
The problem I am running into is this: I primed the upstairs hallway last weekend, and I am seeing significant peeling/cracking in the paint. Most of the cracking has occurred near the edges and corners. If anyone can help me find the cause of the problem and the solutions, I would be eternally grateful.
The problem I am running into is this: I primed the upstairs hallway last weekend, and I am seeing significant peeling/cracking in the paint. Most of the cracking has occurred near the edges and corners. If anyone can help me find the cause of the problem and the solutions, I would be eternally grateful.
#2
02-26-13, 02:13 PM
Welcome to the forums!
Did you sand and/or skim coat any of the ceiling with joint compound? I suspect the cracking is in the underlying j/c and not in the paint - the primer/paint just makes it more visible. I'd sand and add j/c as needed. If you thin the j/c a tad it will spread easier.
Did you sand and/or skim coat any of the ceiling with joint compound? I suspect the cracking is in the underlying j/c and not in the paint - the primer/paint just makes it more visible. I'd sand and add j/c as needed. If you thin the j/c a tad it will spread easier.
#3
02-26-13, 05:12 PM
After removing the popcorn, I did sand it down to make sure the surface was even. I didn't use any additional joint compound.
So all I need to do is to sand down the primer that's there and spread some joint compound (and then reprime)? Any recommendations on how much water to add to thin it out?
So all I need to do is to sand down the primer that's there and spread some joint compound (and then reprime)? Any recommendations on how much water to add to thin it out?
#4
02-27-13, 04:28 AM
One of the reasons that popcorn texture is/was popular is the drywall doesn't have to be finished as well because the texture hides a lot. Typically drywall needs 3 coats of mud to finish properly, most popcorn ceilings only get 2 coats.
I've always thinned j/c by eye so it's a little hard for me to say how much water
If you are using a mud pan - a couple of spoon fulls for 1/3-1/2 of a pan of mud would be a good start. If you get it too thin, mix in more j/c, if you think it's still too thick, add a little more water 
I've always thinned j/c by eye so it's a little hard for me to say how much water
If you are using a mud pan - a couple of spoon fulls for 1/3-1/2 of a pan of mud would be a good start. If you get it too thin, mix in more j/c, if you think it's still too thick, add a little more water 
#5
02-27-13, 12:58 PM
So I'm guessing putting primer straigt on the drywall was not the best of choices? Do I need to scrape all of it off and start over? I have been able to scrape it off of areas where there was joint compound already. The paper portions, however, have been proving difficult.
If so, do I need to skim coat the entire ceiling? If not, what are my options?
If so, do I need to skim coat the entire ceiling? If not, what are my options?
#6
02-27-13, 01:50 PM
Group Moderator
You don't need to scrap off any primer. Is the surface smooth at this point? What I'm asking is, outside of the primer cracks, is this a surface ready for presentation with just paint on it?
#7
02-27-13, 02:13 PM
No. On the advice of a "friend" I started scraping it off, and it has gone down hill from there. The paint is coming off in large sections VERY easily, and tearing the drywall paper in others. I have no idea why it is coming off so easy in places. Outside of hiring a pro to fix the mistake (unfortunately not in the budget), what can I do?
#8
02-27-13, 02:17 PM
Group Moderator
Keep going. Once you have the popcorn and any loose drywall paper removed, prime the exposed gypsum with Zinsser Gardz. Then skim coat the surface smooth, prime and paint. Don't be surprised if you have to sand the joint compound a little.
#10
02-27-13, 02:26 PM
Group Moderator
OK, I missed that the popcorn is gone and you're trying to remove the primer - I would stop doing that. Can you give us some pictures of what you're facing?
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
#11
02-27-13, 02:33 PM
If the primer is coming off easy, you should probably remove it. If the primer had the bond it is supposed to have with the substrate - it would be difficult to remove!! I would only remove what comes off easily. As Mitch pointed out, anywhere you have bare gypsum [paper missing] you need to coat those areas with either Gardz or an oil base primer. Otherwise the moisture in the latex primer/paint can cause the surrounding paper to blister. It also makes those areas take j/c better.
#12
02-28-13, 12:01 PM
Here are some pics of the ceiling and how the paint is coming off:
There is one more area of cracking to the right of the area shown in the first pic, but this is the extent of what I have done so far. I don't know how much of the paint is going to come off from the last area, but if I don't have to scrape it or only minimally, then the damage is pretty much what you see here.
There is one more area of cracking to the right of the area shown in the first pic, but this is the extent of what I have done so far. I don't know how much of the paint is going to come off from the last area, but if I don't have to scrape it or only minimally, then the damage is pretty much what you see here.
