I know how frustrating it is when you can’t make progress because your paint won’t adhere to the surface. Before we take a closer look, here is a quick summary of the seven main reasons why.
The causes of paint not sticking to a ceiling are due to low-quality paint, lack of primer, change in paint type, dirty surface, high humidity levels, wrong temperature, textured surface, and paint being too thin. The cause could be from just one factor or a combination of two or more.
Don’t despair. This article is going to help you identify the cause or causes so that you can put it right and get on with finishing the job.
1. Low-Quality Paint
Poor-quality paint can lack some of the key additives present in premium-brand paint that would help with self-leveling and even drying. You may find that the color in cheap paint is inconsistent when it dries. Cheaper paints also tend to struggle to stick to any surface that is not pristine, porous, and flat.
Another common issue with cheap paint is chalking. Chalking is where a white powder forms on the surface of the paint as it dries, which will come off on clothes if anyone brushes past it. The chalkiness is due to the lack of pigment-stabilizing resin in cheap paint.
The Fix
The cheaper the paint, the more time you will need to spend cleaning off the old surface before you start applying it. Use a primer to improve the tackiness of the surface and to seal in any contaminants.
And when you mix the paint, keep the dilution within the recommendation and mix with a paint mixing attachment. If the paint creates bubbles when using a roller, it is a sign that the mixture is too thin, and you need to mix in more paint.
2. No Primer
Trying to apply paint without first using a primer may mean that you end up with poor coverage. Whether painting on absorbent drywall or treated plaster, any inconsistency in the drying rate is going to give you problems. Your paint may not be able to stretch as it dries, and without a primer, the paint will dry unevenly and crack.
It is possible to apply paint and primers improperly. If your paint is peeling off from your coat of primer, it could be that the primer is oil-based, and you tried to paint over it with water-based paint.
The Fix
Primer improves the tackiness of the surface and helps to fill in small cracks and holes. Primers, like paints, come in both oil-based and water-based solutions, so make sure you are using the correct one. Primers will stick to most surfaces, but you will get a better result if you prepare the surface first.
Clean off contaminants, repair cracks, and scrape off loose material. And wait for the primer to dry, as recommended by the manufacturer, before trying to cover it with paint. Applying paint over a primer that is only partly dry will cause everything to ball up on the roller or brush.
3. Change of Paint Type
Gloss paints are easy to spot, and a gloss finish often means that the original paint was oil-based. Your water-based paint may look like it is sticking, but the adhesion will be minimal, and even light contact after it dries will be enough to peel it off. The paint will also start to flake soon after application, and you will be able to peel off large sections of paint by hand.
The Fix
If you have questions about how porous and stable your surface is, then you have two options. If the rendering is slick and non-porous, consider using oil-based paint. Oil-based paints stick to metals, plastics, and most water-based paints.
4. Dirty Walls
Though most paint will be able to stick to a dirty surface, the dirt will reduce the longevity of your application. Cooking will put a lot of oil into the air. This vaporized oil will then condense to a kitchen wall and make its way around to other walls and ceilings in your home. Grime, oil, and chemicals from pollution on a surface will all stop the paint from sinking in.
The Fix
You can try washing down the surface with a sponge and mild soapy water. If the surface is caked with mud or grime, then use a hose or pressure washer to blast off the dirt. Give the surface time to dry before painting it, and use a primer to improve the adhesion of the paint.
5. Humidity and temperature
Humid air will increase the time it takes for paint to dry and give the paint more time to run down a surface. High humidity may saturate any material you are trying to paint, making it difficult for the paint to sink in and adhere.
Air temperatures below 70°F (21°C) are also a problem since the paint will have trouble curing before it drips. Temperatures above 90°F (32°C) can dry the paint too quickly and cause peeling.
The Fix
Check the weather forecast before you get out your painting equipment as it’s worth waiting a few days for dry conditions. Leave the window open if you are painting a bathroom or a kitchen to prevent the build-up of steam and condensation. And if you have washed the surface to rid it of dirt and contaminants, let it dry before painting.
6. Surface Texture
Some decades ago, textured ceilings and walls were a favored design feature in homes. These types of coatings are premixed with paint with the idea that they will not fade or peel. What does happen after a couple of years is that large chunks of coating will fall off where the adhesion breaks down. Applying paint to a textured surface is a slow and painful task, often using up massive quantities of paint.
The Fix
If you are pulling off the textured coating with your, you should use a paint sprayer. A sprayer will get into the gaps in the texturing and give you fuller coverage. Wear goggles and a respirator when using a sprayer, and when painting a room, make sure that it has plenty of ventilation.
7. Paint Viscosity
All fresh paint will need to be mixed with water or a mineral spirit, depending on the base. Thicker paint may peel, but it is better for second coats or over primers, and it will smooth over lumps and cracks. A thin paint will have worse adhesion, take longer to dry, and drip more.
The Fix
Avoid shaking your paint when mixing it with the thinner, as this will create bubbles that take time to dissipate. All paint should be thinned to the recommended percentage between 5-10%. Thinning the paint slows the drying time, makes it easier to apply, and improves the adhesion.
Use a paint mixing attachment and mix slowly. Pour the mix into a paint tray and wait for the bubbles to rise before applying the paint with a roller. Rollers can suck the water out faster than the paint. So, mix the paint in a separate vessel and in quantities that you can use up in a couple of hours.
