Wall paint bubbling up - how to remove

sixeighth said:

Would it be worth trying a steamer to soften the paint then scrape it off?

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I'm tempted to give this a try as it seems easier than sanding. See if I can get a cheap steam cleaner then use a wallpaper scraper? Or a hamilton scraper?

I would just use a standard scraper - not a blade scraper (if that's what you mean by a hamilton). You'll probably find out quite quickly if it's going to work. If it does, I would suggest washing the wall as you go - whilst the surface is still 'soft'.

I got round to this job at the weekend and despite all the questions, it actually came off mostly by hand! With the wall warrmed up (by radiator and portable heater) I stuck a finger behind one of the bubbles and was able to slowly and carefully 'peel' it off in sheets, as if it was vinyl. Very very strange, it had clearly never adhered in the first place. It needed a bit of scraping at the edges but it's mostly stripped now.

The paint underneath is indeed matt and was a little powdery. I started to clean it with just a damp cloth at first, and was surprised to find that it came off the wall very easily (see 2nd pic) with little rubbing. I havent done anything else after that pic.

So my next question is what to do with this wall now! Shall I simply wash it down with sugar soap and water, which will strip off the grey coloured paint and leave me with the cream colour underneath? Or am I best off sanding it? Again, I'm sure it wont take much sanding to get it down to the cream coloured paint underneath.

There likely some form of contaminate on that wall.

Might there have been wall paper on that wall, and the residue is paste that hasn't been cleared off?

Keep on going with the preparation and get rid of all the vinyl paint, then rub down and offer up a key for new paint.

Have a look at the Zinsser primers, I'd strongly suggest you start with a coat elf that before moving on to a top coat. Zinsser primers are very tacky and should offer a great solution to the fix.

Yes, I would just continue with the washing as it looks like that layer of 'paint' is the issue although I wonder why it was that wall only - looks like heavy brush marks but maybe the paint was not fit for purpose.

If the cream colour looks shiny once the wall is dry it would be no harm to sand it before coating but washing it should be good enough otherwise - I expect you'll have a good idea if the cream surface is sound enough before coating with new paint.

sixeighth said:

If the cream colour looks shiny once the wall is dry it would be no harm to sand it before coating but washing it should be good enough otherwise - I expect you'll have a good idea if the cream surface is sound enough before coating with new paint.

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Yes that bit of cream paint underneath I revealed feels shiny, so I think a sand over will be required. Once sanded, do you get the dust off with a wet or dry cloth?

First of all, you need to prepare your working area. Start by vacuuming the whole room and washing the walls using a sponge and warm water. Then tape off the ceiling and prime the walls. Also, be sure to match the primer with your paint shade. Good luck!