How to Get Peeling Paint Off of Interior Walls
Painted interior walls add character to your living space and complement your furniture, floor coverings and accessories. Walls that have not seen a fresh coat of paint in many years may begin to show signs of wear. While age can cause paint to peel, several other factors such as painting when it is rainy or cold outside can affect the way the paint dries. Proper removal of the peeling paint and some prep work can help ensure that the peeling does not happen again.
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Things You'll Need
- Drop cloths
- Plastic paint scraper
- Cloth
- Joint compound
- Plastic putty knife
- 220-grit sandpaper
Instructions
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1
Cover your floors and furniture with drop cloths to protect them from falling paint chips and dust. If you do not have drop cloths, use old sheets or blankets.
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2
Scrape as much of the peeling paint from the walls as possible using a plastic paint scraper. Wipe the interior walls down with a damp cloth to remove any loose dust or debris.
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3
Apply a dollop of joint compound (spackle) to the back of a plastic putty knife. Smooth a thin layer of joint compound over the removal area. Smooth the joint compound on the wall as if you are buttering bread. Apply it evenly and as smoothly as possible.
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4
Allow the joint compound to dry for 24 hours. Sand the joint compound to a smooth finish using 220-grit sandpaper.
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Wipe the interior walls down once again using a damp cloth, removing dust. Apply a coat of primer using a paint roller and repaint. Priming the walls before painting improves adhesion.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have a plastic scraper available, rub a piece of 100-grit sandpaper over the wall to remove the peeling paint.
Apply paint primer to the walls just as you would an ordinary coat of paint.
Do not use a metal scraper to remove the peeling paint. Doing so can damage the wall itself.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
