Bathroom ceiling paint peeling

[Doug71]

Just after a bit of advice on sorting out some peeling paint on a ceiling above a shower.

I've scraped off all the loose paint and a bit more, I could keep scraping, more will come off but it's not actually loose if you know what I mean.

A quick Google and Phil Beckwith (who always seems knowledgeable) recommends Zinsser Peel Stop, I was then going to go over the whole ceiling with Zinsser PermaWhite.

Does this sound like a good plan? A bathroom firm I know says they don't like bathroom type paints because if moisture gets behind them it can cause more problems, they recommended a plastic type ceiling but that sounded a bit extreme!

The bathroom is well ventilated and has insulation above so I can't do anything to improve that.

Any thoughts?

 

[sploo]

Got exactly the same issue, and also seen the suggestion of Peel Stop followed by PermaWhite (possibly with B-I-N® AQUA being used in between); so I'd also be interested in advice from those with experience.

 

[Lorenzl]

I always use eggshell paint on my bathroom ceilings and have never had a problem.

 

[Ollie78]

The product needed is an adhesion primer like Tikirilla otex ( the oil based one ), it really will stick to almost everything and is nice thick and opaque. A coat or two then a denib and whatever topcoat you want.

 

[Beau]

Looks like the initial mist coat didn't bond with the plaster very well. I haven't used any fancy paints on our bathrooms but I've always applied a 50/50 paint water mist coat first and had zero problems

Be careful with the Zinsser paint as on another group I saw someone have problems with peeling after Zinsser had recommended only a slightly diluted mist coat. They were having to strip back the whole room

 

[Jake]

Classidur AF is an option but very pricey.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

sometimes the paint is put on before the plaster is fully dry
when G Dad, Dad, and I did plastering we always said leave to dry for six months before paint/paper
that looks very much like the paint was applied whilst the plaster was still drying.
yes it says woodsmith dont let that fool you

 

[AndyMc]

Zinsser is good. Had exactly the same problem, followed this guide: https://www.zinsseruk.com/casestudies/zinsser-tackles-mould-and-peeling-paint-on-a-bathroom-ceiling/ and all sorted now.

 

[Bingy man]

Is there adequate extraction in the room, I agree that new plaster can be a problem. If the 1st coat is not diluted it can peel . When my late friend plastered my ceiling ( 20 ft x 13 ft I let it dry for several months . It was in the summer and a hot day I got a primer from my local crown paint shop . They are all x painters so I ask what they use on new plaster . I wish I could recall the name but memory not what it was . It was however oil based , it was cream in colour and dried clear , there was a slight sticky feel it and it took a couple days to fully dry ( but still a bit sticky ) I then painted the ceiling with full strength Matt emulsion and that was sev years ago and none of it has peeled . I did my kitchen and bathroom ceilings at the same time and again no issues. Other primers used in tiling may also work as I’ve used these prior to tiling and making good where the tiles meet the walls .

 

[GerryT]

Doug.

I’ve used Peel Stop loads of time combined with Zinsser’s Mould resistant paint and it’s been very good.
But the prep is the key here I think.
It’s a shower so it needs to dry out properly before you apply the Peel Stop.
I know that sounds obvious but it might look dry but isn’t, so I’d not use the shower while the ceiling is drying.
The idea of Peel Stop is that it seeps under any loose edges and binds it to the surface and gives a nice finish for a top coat.
The Peel stop drys quickly and it can be painted an hour or two after .
May be best not to use the shower for a day or so after painting with your top coats.
Despite the manufacturer saying it dries in such and such a time I’ve seen plenty of peeling bathroom ceilings where the steam has messed up the newly applied top coat.
I know we can all make it sound like rocket science at times but it’s not, just common sense.

 

[Agent_zed]

six months

Really? I can't imagine many people that would be happy to have bare plaster on their walls for 6 months.

I've normally left it a week or so and I don't have any problems with peeling paint. Just use the leyland or crown 10litre white emulsion from the likes of Toolstation and water down the first coat by 10%.

Something I was told by a plasterer was that if you hate the person doing the painting you finish the plaster to a super smooth finish, as it's really hard to get the paint to stick. Maybe I'm just lucky, or perhaps mine sticks because I don't ever get a super smooth finish.

 

[Delaney]

6 months is over kill.
I used to spray new builds and you could go on with a mist coat whilst the plaster was still wet. A spray mix coat is 50/50 of 60/40 water.

This usually happens when someone doesn’t apply a contract matt paint, as the mist coat.
If your mist coat has vinyl in it, it will still not adhere well, no matter how much you dilute it.

As a quick fix I would sand around the immediate area; looks like heat and moisture above the shower, is getting between the plaster and base coat.
You could even scrape around area to see how far you get till the paint seems more stable.
Then go over what you’ve exposed with a watered down contract matt. Put the first coat on thin 50/50. let it dry properly; min 4 hours. Then apply another slightly thicker coat say 75/25 contract.
Let this dry properly.

Then go over with vinyl emulsion. You can use eggshell if you want.

If you continue to get peeling, keep chasing it in the same way. If you’re lucky, you should only have to do the immediate area.
Once you’ve solved the problem, then go over the whole ceiling with a fresh top coat.
You can then watch in horror as your roller sucks of random patches all over the ceiling.

Unfortunately misapplied paint is a real nightmare. I had an entire house that way. I ended up stripping the whole house. The paint came off like wall paper.

I generally avoid things like Zinser. Their stain blocker is good but if they could sell you a paint called ‘house builder’, they would.

 

[Agent_zed]

This usually happens when someone doesn’t apply a contract matt paint,

that's interesting. I used matt paint as I tend to prefer the finish. Perhaps that worked in my favour.

 

[Delaney]

that's interesting. I used matt paint as I tend to prefer the finish. Perhaps that worked in my favour.

Contract matt and vinyl matt are not the same.

Contract has no vinyl, hence why it’s used as a mist coat.

 

[Agent_zed]

Contract matt and vinyl matt are not the same.

Contract has no vinyl, hence why it’s used as a mist coat.

This is what I tend to use or similar. https://www.screwfix.com/p/leyland-trade-contract-10ltr-brilliant-white-matt-emulsion-paint/33680
I would assume from your statement that it doesn't contain vinyl?

Interestingly the question/answers has this -

If you are looking for a breathable paint which will avoid condensation this product will work​