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Rich,
The recommendations by Eric were right on target.
You need to first ascertain whether the plaster has gotten wet.
Find a moisture meter and see if the ceiling is wet after a good rain. Also look to see if there are any stains. Yellowing would tell you whether the ceiling has been getting wet.
If moisture is your problem you’ll need to mitigate that before going any further with your ceiling.
If the back of the paint chips that have been falling off has some plaster adhering you know that ambient moisture may be your problem. Ambient moisture problems are probably the hardest type of moisture problem is there is to fix as it may mean that the entire space needs better ventilation.
Rub your finger where in the areas where the paint has peeled. If you get plaster dust you’ll need to remove it before repainting.
One good way to ensure a better bond of the paint is to first apply a coat of acrylic to the effected areas. This will solidify and consolidate the plaster. And it will help an acrylic fortified paint to adhere.
Thoro Systems has a product that works for this…Acryl-60.
Brian Ewing
OrnamentalPlaster.Com
Replies
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I realized that this is the only place I can get an answer to this question. I post often for personal items but never thought for this one. During a particularly boring sermon yesterday, it hit me.
Our church was built in 1836. The ceiling is 25 feet tall and is plaster on lathe. It is a huge room, my guess being 60 feet wide by 125 feet long. The walls (if it matters) are brick. The attic is above the ceiling in question and is pretty well ventilated (due to recent attempts to resolve the problem) and insulated between the attic floor and backside of the plaster. The perrenial problem has been peeling paint and no one would believe the amount of money wasted on this over the years between consultants, quick fixes and supposed long term remedies. In short, nothing has worked.
A painter friend mentioned that perhaps the plaster has outlived its useful life. Maybe, but I want to ask the world of others who might have experience in this regard to explain what has happened, why and how it really should be repaired ONCE AND FOR ALL.
Thanks for whatever anyone has to offer. I will check frequently and answer any further questions as best I can.
Rich
*Is the paint peeling away clean or is there degraded plaster stuck to the back?Is the plaster substrate under the peeled paint discolored or stained?Anyone use a moisture meter to check the moisture content of the plaster?Is the problem localized or all over the ceiling?More info, please.Eric
*I'll assume the obvious that it wasn't originally painted with calcimine paint?
*1836...I bet ya it's time to start from scratch...scratch coat that is....near the stream too long,aj
*It may very well be a calcimine paint problem - see many articles on how to remove it, or consider a complete bridging/repainting over the old plaster. I'd base opinion on keeping plaster or not on extent of cracks and loss of keying through wood lath, not paint peeling. In my opinion, far too much plaster is being removed from historic buildings for the wrong reasons, and BTW it's a hell (sorry, heck) of a mess, especially from ceilings. How do you protect pews, etc.? Proceed with caution.Jeff Clarke
*To all replying so far,Thanks for the information. I have contacted our church administrator who oversaw the last effort about three years ago and she informed that all of the paint had been stripped before the new paint was applied. Yes, the new paint is peeling, started in one spot and soon was in many places.In any event, she is getting me all of the particulars together on this fiasco including names of chemicals used, etc. and I will post it all here as soon as I get it.Rich
*Rich,The recommendations by Eric were right on target.You need to first ascertain whether the plaster has gotten wet.Find a moisture meter and see if the ceiling is wet after a good rain. Also look to see if there are any stains. Yellowing would tell you whether the ceiling has been getting wet.If moisture is your problem you'll need to mitigate that before going any further with your ceiling.If the back of the paint chips that have been falling off has some plaster adhering you know that ambient moisture may be your problem. Ambient moisture problems are probably the hardest type of moisture problem is there is to fix as it may mean that the entire space needs better ventilation.Rub your finger where in the areas where the paint has peeled. If you get plaster dust you'll need to remove it before repainting.One good way to ensure a better bond of the paint is to first apply a coat of acrylic to the effected areas. This will solidify and consolidate the plaster. And it will help an acrylic fortified paint to adhere.Thoro Systems has a product that works for this...Acryl-60.Brian EwingOrnamentalPlaster.Com
*Possibly the stripper wasn't properly neutralized before priming? Using chemical stripper on a large church ceiling is a mess - maybe the painter had enough and didn't take the time to make sure the stripper was neutralized. Possibly a PH test needed?Was the insulation added blown-in cellulose by any chance? I've seen cellulose hold a lot of moisture if I recall correctly.