Flaking paint on walls - want to repaint

[jennyg]

I want to repaint my living room which at the moment is just painted plaster. There are a few patches of flaking paint that I have sanded down, but since washing the walls with sugar soap, these patches have become much, much worse. The flat is about 100 years old. Anybody got any suggestions on what I should do? Can I just paint over these patches or will I have to treat the walls first?!?

Many thanks!!!

 

[oilman]

If it's the original plaster, it'll be lime plaster. How do you feel about taking care of it? or are you just looking for a quick and cheap solution?

I'd carefully remove the paint, and then use lime pigments in a lime wash.

 

[jennyg]

I'd quite like to sort it out properly (although I would really like to avoid stripping all the paint off if at all possible!!!).
I'm not sure if it is the original plaster however as it doesn't look the same as the original plaster on other walls, and these walls do not have a problem with paint. So the wall may have been replastered at some point.
It has been suggested to me I coat the wall with either PVA, or an oil-based plaster sealant - do you have any thoughts on that?

Thanks!