Prepping a wall for paint

[Valiceemo]

Just after some advice on prepping a wall in the kitchen for paint.

It was myself that last painted it, but it was a rush job to get done.

Just wondering what is the recommended / best way to prep a wall?
I was planning on sanding back with an orbital sander.
But I cannot remember what its like underneath, or what I previously painted over.

I have had a little look by scratching away paint, as in the picture

Cant decide if sanding is the best way to go, or a heat gun to strip paint, and maybe even go back to plaster.

PXL_20230613_172805756.jpg (140.95 KiB) Viewed 1156 times

[dewaltdisney]

It is difficult to see from your picture, is it painted over lining paper? A wallpaper steamer might make it easier to remove.

DWD

[Valiceemo]

It is difficult to see from your picture, is it painted over lining paper? A wallpaper steamer might make it easier to remove.

DWD

Its hard to tell, but I think it is lining paper yes.
From the small area I managed to get to, it looks in OK condition just looking again.
Can one sand back to liner, or should it be replaced?

[dewaltdisney]

You cannot sand back paper, it will be a right slog and a mess. I would say that it would be best to remove the paper you can get wallpaper removal chemicals that soften the paste but I have always used a steamer. Once the paper is gone, if the wall is poor then a skim might be needed but care in the paper removal ( don't dig the scraper) will mean minimum making good before paint. Steamers are around £30 it is often cheaper to buy than hiring.

DWD

[Valiceemo]

You cannot sand back paper, it will be a right slog and a mess. I would say that it would be best to remove the paper you can get wallpaper removal chemicals that soften the paste but I have always used a steamer. Once the paper is gone, if the wall is poor then a skim might be needed but care in the paper removal ( don't dig the scraper) will mean minimum making good before paint. Steamers are around £30 it is often cheaper to buy than hiring.

DWD

Thanks
I guess i will then need to hang some fresh lining paper? (Assuming wall and plaster is in good nick)
Was hoping it wouldnt turn into a big job

[dewaltdisney]

Lining paper is only used to cover up a poor wall in the main. Make a decision on painting over as is, making good your test area in the process. Taking off the paper and seeing what the wall is like and if good enough paint straight to wall. The first is the easy option.

DWD

[Valiceemo]

Lining paper is only used to cover up a poor wall in the main. Make a decision on painting over as is, making good your test area in the process. Taking off the paper and seeing what the wall is like and if good enough paint straight to wall. The first is the easy option.

DWD

Makes sense, thanks

Im guessing paper has been used in the past because the walls arent great.

[dewaltdisney]

Looking at your photo a bit closer I am now thinking that this might be plasterboard dry line walling that has been painted over. Lots of houses have dry lining as the inner wall these days so where you have taken some paper off shows the plasterboard core. Hard to tell off a picture but the painting over looks like a safer option.

DWD

[Valiceemo]

Looking at your photo a bit closer I am now thinking that this might be plasterboard dry line walling that has been painted over. Lots of houses have dry lining as the inner wall these days so where you have taken some paper off shows the plasterboard core. Hard to tell off a picture but the painting over looks like a safer option.

DWD

This is good to hear! LoL
I guess a good sanding is still advised to take back as much of the existing paint?

[dewaltdisney]

No, you do not want to damage the paper face of the plasterboard (if it is) just wash it down with sugar soap to degrease the surface an then you can go over with a stain blocker like Zinsser Bullseye 123 as a primer undercoat for the emulsion finish coats.

DWD

[Valiceemo]

No, you do not want to damage the paper face of the plasterboard (if it is) just wash it down with sugar soap to degrease the surface an then you can go over with a stain blocker like Zinsser Bullseye 123 as a primer undercoat for the emulsion finish coats.

DWD

ah OK.
Good job I checked!
I was gearing up to buy a new sander!
I have a few old hanging holes I need to fill, they'll need sanding down once filled...presumably just needs to be done with care?

[dewaltdisney]

Just be careful and minimise damaging the paper skin. I would make up a cardboard mask so you can protect the surrounding surface when you spot sand. Of course this is if my interpretation from the photo is correct. How old is the house?

DWD

[Valiceemo]

Just be careful and minimise damaging the paper skin. I would make up a cardboard mask so you can protect the surrounding surface when you spot sand. Of course this is if my interpretation from the photo is correct. How old is the house?

DWD

I'm not 100% sure on when the house was built, but its not a new build by any means. I think it was built somewhere between 1930 and the late 1940s
The plaster and lining paper behind the paint looks to be in good condition, and I would guess it is less than 15 yeas old - having been redone by the previous owners prior to us buying.
I'm still toying with the idea of giving it a sand back - wont painting over a light green colour be difficult?

[dewaltdisney]

My comments are based on supposition from interpreting your photographs. It is possible the wall is dry lined, it could be poor plaster papered over it is too hard to say. You will have to experiment slowly to avoid a bigger making good job.

DWD

[Valiceemo]

My comments are based on supposition from interpreting your photographs. It is possible the wall is dry lined, it could be poor plaster papered over it is too hard to say. You will have to experiment slowly to avoid a bigger making good job.

DWD

I'll try and get some clearer pictures when I get a chance.
And you are right, I definitely do not want to make the job any bigger / harder!