HELP! After peeling off wallpaper, primer is peeling off too!?

Question

We removed the wallpaper in our bathroom, and used fabric softener in water to get all of the leftover wallpaper backing off of the walls, but the layer of primer under the wallpaper is peeling everywhere. We are going to paint the bathroom, so can I paint primer over the peeling layer of primer?? Or do I need to scrape all of the primer off somehow first? If so, how do I do that?

Answer 1

You cannot paint over peeling paint. Here are the options:

1. Tear out the sheetrock and replace. Finish, prime and paint.

2. Remove all loose paint and paper, prime the mess you have, skim with sheetrock mud, sand, prime and paint.

3. Remove all loose paint and paper, prime and paint with texured paint and texured roller cover.

4. Move, sell house "as is'.

Next time don't use fabric softener. Try warm water applied multiple times with a fine mist sprayer. the only reason I can think that primer would peel off walls is that the walls weren't dusted after the joint compound was sanded. Be sure to dust your walls with a slightly damp rag if you choose options 1 or 2.

Answer 2

Your wall was probably not properly prepared before the wallpaper was installed. Could be that the first layer of drywall is what is coming off, rather than a primer. Select a paint that is made to cover a rough surface. Try it in a small area and see how you like the finished look. It may never be smooth, but a rough surface can create a visual interest. Use a matte finish rather than a shiny one such as a semi-gloss or glossy paint.

Answer 3

Sorry, you can't paint over peeling primer.  You will need to scrape it off.  Use something like a wallpaper scraper, and keep going over the wall until there are no peeling bits left.  Any bits of primer that are still solid and don't budge easily can be left.

It's not a nice job but if you don't do it now your new paint will start peeling in a few weeks and you will have to scrape that off as well.

Answer 4

Sorry, but it sounds like you are going to have to sand the walls.  You have to get off all the peeling paint before you prime again.  Just scrape off all the peeling stuff & sand the edges to smoothe out what is left.  If you paint over what is peeling, you will just end up with more peeling paint.

Good Luck