1. Painting over dust and grease
Paint needs a clean surface to grip. Kitchen walls carry grease, hallways carry hand marks, and sanded walls carry dust. Without a wash or wipe-down first, the new coat sits on top instead of bonding.
2. No primer on new filler or bare plaster
Fresh filler and new plaster soak up paint unevenly. Without a mist coat or primer you get patchy "flashing" and, over time, peeling.
3. Cracks covered instead of repaired
A crack that moves with the house will come straight back through paint. It needs opening, flexible filler or scrim tape, and sanding flush.
4. Moisture in the wall
Painting a damp wall, or using non-breathable paint outside, traps moisture. It pushes the paint off as bubbles and flakes. This is very common on Donegal facades.
5. Wrong paint over old gloss
Water-based paint over old oil gloss without sanding and a bonding primer will peel off in strips.
How we avoid it
Every job starts with cleaning, filling, sanding and priming. That is the slow part, and the part that makes the finish last. It is also why we can put a 12-month guarantee on our work.
Frequently asked questions
Can peeling paint be painted over?
Only after loose paint is scraped off, edges are sanded smooth and the area is primed.
Why is my new paint bubbling?
Usually moisture or painting over a dirty or glossy surface.