'Furry' paint

[Humey86]

Hi, We recently moved into our house and we are looking at redecorating. A few patches in our living room have this strange furry, peeled paint. To the touch it is chalky. the patches haven't got any bigger so i presume its not damp? The walls have painted lining paper. Anybody shed any light?

 

[sparkwright]

Is this 'paint' on the actual plaster, or on the lining paper?

What is the age of the house?

 

[Humey86]

Its on the lining paper. Its on the chimney breast but also is on other walls in smaller patches. Could it be a reaction between paints, maybe when the previous owners were patching up?

House is 1950s

 

[JohnD]

Are you sure it's lining paper?

Easy-strip vinyls that leave the backing behind can go like that.

 

[Humey86]

No its definitely lining paper thats been painted

 

[sparkwright]

It sounds like distemper, but it doesn't compute that it's on lining paper. Distemper was used in the old, old days.

So it's probably not that.

Maybe some over-diluted or inferior emulsion was used?

Has the room been left unheated for a long time?

Has the room been damp?

Does it rub off when you brush your hand over it?

 

[sparkwright]

Got it.

It could be wallpaper paste residue that's been painted over, and reacted.

 

[Humey86]

I have a feeling it possibly poor paint used to patch over as its in a number of spots. Wallpaper paste could also be an option. The room hasnt really been unheated. When touched it leaves a chalky residue on your hand.

 

[foxhole]

Strip it back make good wall and decorate without lining paper.

 

[sparkwright]

Remove as much as the loose paint as you can, and see what you are left with.

You may be able to clean up the old paper and repaint, if it is paste. If you can save the paper, this would save a lot of effort, perhaps.

Clean off all paste before painting.