Scrape Away the Paint Any peeling or chipping paint that is left in place will weaken the bonds of the new layers and create future problems. A flexible metal or plastic paint scraper is the best tool for removing paint without damaging the wood or drywall below.
If you do not scrape off peeling paint, your new paint job will peel off immediately. This is not an optional step. If you're going to spend top dollar on premium paints, solid prep work is absolutely necessary!
Sand the Surface: Once most of the paint is removed, use sandpaper (starting with a coarser grit, then moving to finer grit) to smooth the surface. This also helps remove any remaining paint residue. Power Sander: For larger areas, an orbital sander can speed up the process, but be cautious to avoid damaging the wood.
To fix the peeling area, you can try using a paint scraper to remove any loose paint and sanding the area lightly to create a smooth surface. Then, you can apply a primer/sealer like Zinsser Peel Stop to the area to help the new paint adhere. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and drying times.
Scraping paint is done with a combination of tools: a wire brush, a flat metal paint scraper, and a heat gun. Using all three tools makes paint scraping less tedious and time-consuming, and it produces longer-lasting, professional results.
Safety: When removing paint from wood by scraping, sanding or other means, you may release lead dust if the paint was made before 1978. Lead is toxic and exposure can cause serious illness, especially in children and pregnant women. Any removal of lead paint may also be subject to Federal and State regulations.
Peeling Paint
It's not an uncommon problem to encounter paint that will begin peeling again shortly after you've thoroughly scraped the loose edges. And in the past this often meant having to strip some or all of the coatings down to bare wood. Well, an alternative to this drastic action is using a binding primer.
Using a scraper, wire brush, or 80 to 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose or peeling paint from the damaged area. Remove any dust or debris from the area with a lightly water-dampened rag. Using a putty knife, apply a thin layer of patching material to the damaged area.
How much scraping is enough? As a standard rule of thumb, when there isn't any more flaking you're in good shape. Remember, your paint is going to bond to the surface and if that surface is loose and flaky, then the new paint has nothing to cling to.
The ability to paint over peeling paint largely depends on the underlying cause of the peeling. If the peeling is due to poor adhesion or surface preparation issues, it is generally possible to paint over it.
A new coat of paint is only as stable as the surface underneath. Peeling or flaking paint should always be removed prior to applying a fresh coat of paint. Pressure washing is one way to remove paint from wood, metal, concrete, and other exterior surfaces.
Sanding is often a crucial step for ensuring that your surface is ready to be painted. If you don't have a properly sanded surface, paint may not adhere to certain items properly. You can oversand, undersand and often people underestimate its importance. But, you don't have to be a pro to sand a surface.
A prime may not be necessary if the old paint is in good condition and adequately adhered to the surface. However, if the old paint is peeling, chalking, or flaking, it's best to prime it before applying a new coat. Primer helps create a smooth surface and promotes better adhesion between the old and new paint layers.
One of the easiest ways to fix clear coat peeling is with a clear coat repair kit. These kits typically include sandpaper, a primer, and a clear coat finish. They're sprayed on using a paint applicator gun and compressed air. Then, when the clear coat has dried and cured, it can be blended into the rest of the finish.
Over time, fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels can make paint peel. For spaces where this is normal like kitchens, using KILZ 3® Premium Primer (known for its exceptional adhesion and durability) before you paint can help ensure your paint job lasts longer.
The end-goal for painting projects is to produce a very smooth finish: One way to achieve this is to lightly sand between each coat of primer and paint you apply using fine-grit sandpaper. Sanding between each coat of primer and paint is one way to achieve the best finish for any painting project.
Zinsser Peel Stop 1-gal. Water Base Clear Interior/Exterior Binding Primer and Sealer (Case of 4) glues down peeling paint and bind chalky surfaces. Designed to seal cracked and checked surfaces for durability, it helps provide a sound surface.
– Efficiency: Stripping can be more time-efficient for removing multiple layers of paint or stubborn finishes, while sanding is efficient for achieving a smooth, even surface. In some cases, a combination of both stripping and sanding may be necessary to achieve the desired results.
Removing old paint
Start from the top and work down, clean out gutters and paint if necessary. When removing old flaking masonry paint, use a scraper where possible then for small flakes a stiff bristle brush which will remove residual flakes.
Remove all peeling and flaking paint using a paint scraper. Cover the ground with drop cloths to catch paint chips, dust and debris. Next, sand the surface. You can rent or buy a disc sander with 60-, 80- and 120-grit sanding discs.
Remove all loose and flaking paint with a scraper or wire brush, sand the surface and feather the edges. If the flaking occurs in multiple layers of paint, use of filler may be necessary. Prime bare timber areas before repainting. Use of a premium quality primer and topcoat should prevent a recurrence of the problem.
Peel Bond is a great bonding primer that can be used when you need to apply a topcoat over a surface that you are concerned it may not stick to. It will even penetrate bare wood and masonry to promote better adhesion, as well as bridge hairline cracks in existing surfaces.
Peeling paint must be removed prior to applying a fresh coat of paint to ensure proper adhesion. For Best Results: Refer to the how-to for guidelines on removing peeling paint. Using a scraper or 100-grit sandpaper, remove any loose, cracked, or peeling paint from the damaged area.