Why Paint Peels Off Walls

Paint peels when the substrate or an earlier coating is weak, dirty, damp or incompatible with the new system. Simply painting over the loose film leaves the failed bond underneath, so the new coat usually peels with it.

Common reasons adhesion fails

• Dust, chalking, grease or powdery plaster remained below the paint.
• The substrate was damp and the moisture source was not corrected.
• A glossy or old coating was not prepared for the new paint.
• Primer and paint were incompatible or applied outside the product conditions.
• A thick application, poor mixing or forced drying created stress in the film.

Find where the failure starts

Inspect the edge of the peeled area for dust, white deposits, water marks or a shiny old layer. Compare nearby walls and check corners, windows and pipes. If paint is coming away with plaster, the problem is in the substrate as well as the finish.

What to do before repainting

• Remove all paint and residue that no longer bonds to the substrate.
• Correct leaks, condensation or another source of dampness.
• Repair cracks and feather the edges with a compatible compound.
• Clean and prime the surface according to the selected paint system.
• Test the preparation and adhesion on a small area before coating the whole wall.

When this is more than a repainting job

Stop cosmetic work if plaster is falling away, dampness or mould is present, cracks are changing or the wall is deforming. Assess the substrate and moisture source before choosing paint and estimating its coverage.

Reducing the chance of repeat peeling

Use a compatible system, do not cover a damp wall and take coverage from the chosen paint. Primer can even out absorption, but it cannot turn a loose substrate into a sound one without repair.