Messed Up and Need Help With Painting Staircase

[John Brookfield]

We fitted a new staircase last week. The steps are MDF and frame is timber. I started painting the stair at the weekend and used a diluted coat of emulsion as an undercoat. A second coat of the emulsion was added and today I painted the staircase with gloss. After 6 hours, I used a damp cloth to lift some dust and the paint is coming away on the damp cloth. The gloss is dry but clearly not adhering to the emulsion and mdf.

The staircase had now been given a second coat of gloss in the hope this will sort the issue but I doubt that it will.

Can anyone advise if there is a way out of this mess?

 

[Wayners]

I remember back in the 80s a old painter locking himself in a pilot and using emulsion as a undercoat.
Cutting corners and saving money.
Really not a good idea. It's not the correct product.
In saying that, some durable emotions can be used on woodwork but the cheap builders emulsion is very chalky.
So what did you use?
I think you need to stop.
Let it cure for a few days and assess what's going on. Decide if it's stuck well or if you need to remove it.

 

[John Brookfield]

I used Leyland Trade Emulsion and Dulux Quick Dry Gloss. The timber is fine, but the mdf steps are the problem. I appreciate the advice and I will return to it in a few days and see if things have improved any at all. It is dry and sound to the touch. It just did not like dampness when I rubbed it earlier.

 

[Wayners]

Will take 7 days to fully cure and harden.

 

[John Brookfield]

Will take 7 days to fully cure and harden.

Many thanks. I'll check things in a week and hope for the best.