Homes that still have plaster walls in prime condition are often valued by homeowners and home buyers alike. Not only are they beautiful and solid but they are especially good at soundproofing rooms. But plaster walls respond to inevitable foundation shifts and climatic changes and can begin to crack. Everyday life, with its bumps and bangs, takes its toll on plaster walls. And certain key areas, such as above and beside doorways and windows, are classic areas of cracking. Nearly all homes with plaster walls will eventually develop window and door cracks.
Cracking paint can be caused by a variety of conditions ranging from the expansion and contraction of a substrate, moisture seepage problems or to something as simple as someone having applied a water-base paint over an oil-base paint. First, try to determine what caused the cracking. I'm doing a painting on canvas using acrylic paints, and for some reason my paint cracked and looks like lizard skin almost. I don't know what happened, my teacher says I may have accidentally mixed tempera and acrylic, but I'm not so sure I did. Fast and use very light pressure or you will burn through the paint. As to the cracked paint, for that you need a body shop. It will need to be sanded down, then new paint & clear coat feathered in & polished. About $200 or so depending on your area. Jan 15, 2019 Sometimes it’s hard to avoid overspraying when you are hitting a piece with lots of curves like my lights. Just spray what you can from the angle you are at, let dry thoroughly, then come back and change the position of the piece to get other spots rather than trying to cover the entire piece at once. Paint cracking and peeling off ceiling and walls. Paint cracking and peeling off ceiling and walls. Skip navigation Sign in. Quick fix for gaps and cracks around electrical sockets. May 03, 2013 How to paint over cracked paint. What I’ve been doing all this time is actually a good idea. That’s not always the case. Oh, yeah, and that picture isn’t of a wood slat ceiling I know. It was really hard to get a good shot of the cracks in the ceiling since.
Though they may look scary, your cracked plaster walls are not beyond repair. You do not even need a special plaster repair kit. One way to quickly fix cracked plaster walls is with basic drywall tools and materials that you can easily and inexpensively obtain at a home improvement store.
Plaster vs. Drywall Repairs
Understanding how plaster walls are constructed will help you fix your cracked plaster wall. The process is different for plaster than for drywall. If you have ever repaired drywall, you may know that it is often easier to replace entire portions with new pieces of drywall—it's possible to remove just the section that needs fixing and a few inches beyond, without the entire wall collapsing. Because drywall is one layer with no backing, once you cut through drywall, there is nothing behind it except for studs and insulation.
Plaster walls, by contrast, are constructed of two layers: the outer plaster and the inner wooden or metal lath. With plaster, your best bet is to preserve the existing plaster and to fix it, rather than tearing it out. Ripping out chunks of plaster often becomes a seemingly endless process, with one chunk leading to another chunk. Successful plaster crack repair means taking it slow and being patient enough to add multiple layers of joint compound to the wall.
Tools and Supplies You Will Need
- Utility knife or 5-in-1 painter's tool
- Putty knife
- Paper drywall tape
- 220-grit sandpaper
- 6-inch drywall knife
- 12-inch drywall knife
- Scissors
- Shop vacuum
- Primer
- Interior paint
Instructions
Score the Crack
With the putty knife, 5-in-1 tool, or a dull utility knife, score the crack to open its edges. While this may seem counter-intuitive, you need to increase the area for the joint compound to stick. Do not vigorously scrape into the crack; be gentle and go slow. With the shop vacuum, remove all crumbs and dust from the crack.
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Cut the Paper Drywall Tape
Measure and cut one or more lengths of paper drywall tape to fit the crack. Drywall compound begins to dry quickly, so cutting the tape in advance makes this work go faster and prevents accidentally creating creases, folds, or bumps.
Use scissors to cut the tape, as tearing the tape by hand will produce a ragged edge.
Spread the Joint Compound
Stir up the joint compound, then put a small portion on the edge of the six-inch taping knife. Smooth a thin layer of joint compound over the cracked section. Move immediately to the next step, as joint compound dries rapidly.
Apply Tape to the Crack
With the 6-inch knife, press the paper tape into the wet area, directly over the crack. Smooth over the tape with the knife just once or twice. Too much knife-work at this point may tear the tape. Let the joint compound fully dry.
Apply Joint Compound Over the Tape
Add a layer of joint compound over the taped area so that the compound extends a few inches past the taped area. Let the joint compound fully dry. Lightly sand it down with fine sandpaper to smooth prominent bumps or ridges. Do not sand so hard that you dig into the tape.
Finish the Repair
Add a third layer of joint compound, this time using the 12-inch knife to extend the edges even farther. This last coat should take the joint compound out as far as 12 inches. Allow the joint compound to dry completely, then sand lightly to smooth out the repair area. Again, take care not to sand down into the paper tape—a very light sanding is all that is required.
After sanding, clean the surface with a shop vacuum and wipe it with dry cloths. Any area that has been patched with joint compound must be primed before painting.
Active2 months ago
4 years ago, after repainting my 1980 Chrysler LeBaron, I'm seeing many lines appear in the paint. These lines appear all over, but especially around corners, and much more on flat, upright facing surfaces, not really on the sides. This leads me to believe it may have something to do with being in the sun a lot.
We repainted it the original color, with the original paint, and used commercial grade clear coat. The paint was applied by a friend whose day job is as a body mechanic, though not usually painting, though he had experience.
Waxing masks the lines for a short period, but then they become visible again after a few weeks. It only seems like I am seeing more and more of them. They are not scratches- there are far too many and I'm protective of things being set on my car.
How To Fix Cracked Paint On Car Bumper
What is causing this?
How To Remove Cracked Paint
Is there anything I can do to prevent more of these lines from coming?
Is there anything I can do to 'erase' the existing lines?
sehcheesesehcheese
1 Answer
This looks like textbook cracking. This is a failure that can be caused by a myriad of sources, from chemical incompatability of paint and clearcoat to improperly applied paint. Your friend's inexperience with painting might be the root cause. Four years is a long time for a poorly applied clearcoat job to start showing issues, it could be something else.
Taken from the Sherwin-Williams Automotive Paint Troubleshooting Guide (PDF, page 19):
CRACKING (Checking, Crazing, Spitting, Alligatoring, Crowsfeet)
Cracks or lines of various lengths and widths in the topcoat finish often resembling the cracking of dried mud.
CAUSE:
- (A) Excessive film thickness of the undercoat and/or topcoat.
- (B) Refinishing over a previously crazed/cracked surface.
- (C) Insufficient flash time between coats and/or force drying undercoats using air from the spray gun.
- (D) Mixing incorrectly or using too much hardener.
- (E) Paint ingredients not thoroughly stirred or agitated.
- (F) Breakdown of finish due to prolonged exposure to sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperature changes.
- (G) Using generic reducers and/or hardeners.
REPAIR
- Remove all cracked paint film and refinish.
PREVENTION
- (A) Apply all materials following label direction.
- (B) Completely remove crazed/cracked finishes before refinishing.
- (C) Do not force dry undercoats by fanning with spray gun air.
- (D) Mix ingredients thoroughly using the recommended additives. Add each component in proper sequence following the recommended mixing ratio.
- (E) Stir or agitate materials thoroughly before use to ensure all ingredients are in solution.
- (F) Use premium two component undercoat and topcoat system to provide maximum gloss and durability.
- (G) Use the recommended thinner/reducer and hardener, and then measure accurately.
Examples:
Fundamentally, what is happening is your paint is shrinking. It's shrunken to the point where visible gaps are showing up between the pieces of paint still there. There's a lot of causes, and since it held up for several years it's likely to be environmental more than a poor application of paint.
Your permanent recourse is take it all off and put new stuff on.
MrDoomMrDoom