Why is my paint rubbing off??? (hardwood, roof, window, color)

[spacelord75]

We have a room painted with latex flat paint. I had to do extensive drywall repair, therefore a lot of mudding. Afterward, I painted with latex primer (Glidden Gripper) tinted gray, then applied a coat of flat Sherwin Williams dark red about 2 hours later. Now the paint layer is rubbing off! Any ideas on why this would happen?

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by spacelord75

We have a room painted with latex flat paint. I had to do extensive drywall repair, therefore a lot of mudding. Afterward, I painted with latex primer (Glidden Gripper) tinted gray, then applied a coat of flat Sherwin Williams dark red about 2 hours later. Now the paint layer is rubbing off! Any ideas on why this would happen?

Glidden Gripper isn't necessarily the best stuff ever, but you shouldn't have a problem painting over it with a flat latex.

I suspect you didn't allow the primer to fully cure before you painted over it. If there was any "tack" to the primer at all when you started painting you could wind up with exactly what you are describing. For some very scientific reason, dissimilar paints or finishes (meaning oil-based and waterborne) have trouble making a good bond if the bottom layer is still offing its volatile components.

**EDIT** On second thought, is the primer coming off or just the topcoat?

[spacelord75]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Glidden Gripper isn't necessarily the best stuff ever, but you shouldn't have a problem painting over it with a flat latex.

I suspect you didn't allow the primer to fully cure before you painted over it. If there was any "tack" to the primer at all when you started painting you could wind up with exactly what you are describing. For some very scientific reason, dissimilar paints or finishes (meaning oil-based and waterborne) have trouble making a good bond if the bottom layer is still offing its volatile components.

**EDIT** On second thought, is the primer coming off or just the topcoat?

Just the top coat. This happened while I wasn't home and it was the plumber rubbing the paint off...said he had a wet sponge and it caused the issue. Perhaps it seems logical this might happen since I had just painted it yesterday and it's flat, which I think might absorb the water to a degree and come up.

[Steve Bagu]

I'm no painter by trade but my experience was always to alow at least 24 hrs for the first coat to cure (dry). Just touching with finger and thinking the coat is dry is NOT always true as it could still be wet/damp underneath.

Better to be safe then sorry later on.

[Itz]

every experience I've had with FLAT paint = rubs off.. wipe the wall down - paint rubs off. *shrug*
I've been advised that flat paints belong in places such as closets and places that receive low traffic...

but this was years ago so i don't know how the "technology" may have changed.

i always use Semi-gloss based with no issues - and will always use.

[jimboburnsy]

I've typically seen semi-gloss used on door casing, crown and baseboards. That may look a little unusual on a textured (or untextured) wall, but I dunno.

I'm fairly certain that this is a bonding problem from insufficiently cured oil-base primer covered with a latex paint.

[the painter]

Here is the big question....Why was the painter taking a sponge to a fresh painted wall? It is recommended that paint cures for 30 days before any type of cleaning is done, it takes that long for it to completely cure. That being said, red paint has a deep base and along with any other color in deep base it is also recommended to go with a higher scheen than flat. the reason is the dark colors will always scar no matter how long they cure, a damp cloth/sponge will always take off some of the color. IF the paint is peeling off of the primed spots then that is a different story and I would say it is that the primer had not dry enough.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by the painter

Here is the big question....Why was the painter taking a sponge to a fresh painted wall? It is recommended that paint cures for 30 days before any type of cleaning is done, it takes that long for it to completely cure. That being said, red paint has a deep base and along with any other color in deep base it is also recommended to go with a higher scheen than flat. the reason is the dark colors will always scar no matter how long they cure, a damp cloth/sponge will always take off some of the color. IF the paint is peeling off of the primed spots then that is a different story and I would say it is that the primer had not dry enough.

It's even more intriguing if you substitute "plumber"

[spacelord75]

Sorry...long story, but I had a 1 day window between having new hardwoods put in (the final coat of poly) and having a plumber out to install a sink and toilet (in addition to a gas line for the kitchen as well). Due to the tight time frame, I had to prime and paint after work (hence the short dry time). The plumber then was wiping the wall around where the sink basin was being caulked against the wall. Obviously this was not the optimal conditions, but I was doing the best I could! Additionally, I would usually have eggshell or satin in a bathroom, but the walls are old and have tons of imperfections and since there is no tub or shower, moisture in the air wasn't an issue, so I opted for flat to hide the imperfections. I basically just touched up the areas after the plumber was done and will just be wary of not rubbing the walls! Thanks for the inputs!

[sjuraud]

Is there any moisture coming through the sheet rock? It's possible you might have a small leak somewhere in your roof that you don't know about. I had this happen around some flashing on the roof that was letting moisture through.