Tiny bubbles in painted walls

Discussion in 'Painters' Talk' started by sagalout1954, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. sagalout1954

    sagalout1954 New Member

    House 20 years old. Think perhaps builders didn't mist coat the plasterboard before applying magnolia to 1 bedroom. Rest of house hasn't been a problem painted/papering over & over again, only this 1 room (even then, not all 4 of the walls).

    Emulsion has always left some areas with tiny bubbles in them (size of a pinhead mostly), so clearly not adhering properly. When last decorated problematic walls were given a PVA coat before repainting.

    Decorating again, removing a dado has exposed the fact that the current layer of paint (been on 5 years) can be peeled off like skin, exposes the white wash underneath which we think was the PVA - this can actually be washed off, leaving the even earlier colour behind (now we're going back quite a few years), under that we're back to the homebuilders magnolia.

    We're stripping it all back as far as possible, but is it an option to put Zinsser Gardz on what is left given that we can't get it all off back to bare plasterboard, then have the whole room skimmed?
     
  2. teabreak

    teabreak Screwfix Select

    PVA is not good news with paint, I would suggest lining the wall with 1200 or 1400 grade lining paper that should stick OK with wallpaper paste, then emulsion over the paper.
     
    sagalout1954 likes this.
  3. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    The 'peeling off like skin' is likely to be the PVA , as above, not to be used as a sealant when painting

    So it's plasterboard with no skim that's been painted ?

    If so, no need to mist coat plasterboard so that can't be the cause of the problem. Surface is perfect for straight on with the emulsion

    So either lining paper, zinnster product, or skim over

    If you are considering a skim, then don't waste time and energy removing paint as plasterer will lash on the PVA (here it has its uses) and skim over

    Have the walls been painted with silk emulsion at any stage ?
     
    sagalout1954 likes this.
  4. sagalout1954

    sagalout1954 New Member

    Thanks for replies. Don't think Vinyl Silk has been used, we tend to favour Soft Sheen though, & rarely use a flat Matt. Whatever the cause is, it seemed to start with the first lot of painting we did over the builders magnolia, I've a feeling that may have been Matt - but then the whole house was the same (new build) & this is only a problem room, & only on 3 walls in that bedroom (oddly, the main outside wall in there is the one that is OK).

    Not sure if we use Zinsser Gardz on the walls to bind them now, whether the plasterer will then have problems getting the skim to stick.
     
  5. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    The builder would have used a contract (non vinyl) matt on a new build that's why you have bubbles.
     
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  6. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select

    Would say don't waste any time or money on products if your considering having walls skimmed by a plasterer

    He / she (PC friendly) will sort out any issues with wall surface and more than likely just PVA the wall prior to skimming or if grip is an issue, something like blue grip

    Post some pictures of the wall. an easier solution may be suggested
     
    sagalout1954 likes this.
  7. DIYDave.

    DIYDave. Screwfix Select


    Just out of interest Astra, why would the contract matt cause the bubbles - always like to learn, cheers
     
  8. sagalout1954

    sagalout1954 New Member

    Thanks. Does seem painting vinyl over matt may be an issue as I've seen it said on other threads, but that doesn't really explain how out of 13 rooms only 1 bedroom is bubbly & only on 3 walls! Will check out a heavy'ish duty liner before settling on skimming (& check out what blue grip is).
     
  9. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    The Vinyl Matt reactivated the contract matt trapping moisture as it dried.
     

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