How to fix peeling paint on ceilings is a question people ask that we can readily answer. You can read about how to do it in 4 steps. There is also information on what causes it and how you can help prevent it.
First, put on your goggles and a dust mask. Paint and lungs don’t mix well.
- Scrape off peeling paint on the ceiling with a putty knife. Use 150-grit or higher sandpaper. Clean off any dust.
- Patch the peeling area with a thin layer of patching compound and putty knife. Let dry. Apply a second coat. Sand and clean the ceiling.
- Prime the area with an oil-based primer. Let dry.
- Paint with a flat acrylic paint.
Sanding allows your patching compound, primer, and paint to bond more tightly. This reduces the chances of it peeling again.
Patching levels the surface for a better-looking paint job. Areas with thicker paint tend to stick out.
When priming be sure to have any fans on and windows open (it will have a strong smell).
We can paint your interior if you don’t have the time >>
Why Your Paint Is Peeling
One main cause of why you see peeling paint on your ceiling could be improper painting preparation.
If the surface isn’t clean or doesn’t have proper priming the paint can peel much faster. This happens mostly due to moisture. Moisture gets between the paint and the wall, causing it to peel.
The brand of paint may not be high enough quality. Ceilings in high moisture areas need a paint that sticks better and is flexible. This way it can expand and contract with the heat and moisture.
One last reason ceiling paint peels could be not enough drying time. This can cause severe cracking, or “alligatoring”.
3 Ways To Help Prevent Peeling Ceiling Paint
- Use high-quality paint (bathroom/kitchen specific for those areas)
- Allow enough drying time between coats
- Ventilate the room with open windows, fans, and/or vents
Now You Know How To Fix Peeling Paint On Ceilings
No more will you look up and see a peeling disaster. Your ceilings can look just as good as the walls holding them up. You can once again live in your home without worrying about how it looks (because it will look fantastic).
Thank you for the advice! Quick question. I’ve always read that you cannot use a latex paint over an oil based paint, but can you use latex paint over an oil based primer without concern of it easily peeling off?
You can use latex paint on top of an oil-based primer without concern. We use this process often.
The ceiling I’m working on has several sections of peeling paint, but the rest of the paint is in tact. After second coat of joint compound is dry and sanded to all effected areas, can I prime the entire ceiling, including the existing paint I did not need to repair and then paint over the entire thing so the ceiling is completely uniform? Or should I only prime and paint the areas I fixed?
Either option can work!
I have Luke’s question as well.
Either option can work!
Thanks.
Once everything was prepped and the patched and sanded areas were wiped free of dust, I went to roll on the primer and the joint compound started to peel off. I redid the steps of patching and sanding, then went back and rolled the ceiling again with primer, this time nothing came off. This was yesterday. I came back today and there were a couple of spots where the primer was cracked and slightly peeling. Interestingly enough it appears they only cracked on where I primed over my joint compound. I know for sure the compound was dry as I waited about 2 weeks in between. So I’m wondering what I could possibly be doing wrong as everything I’ve read says pricing over joint compound is totally fine. Do I go back again and scrape, patch, sand, etc and try to prime a third time hoping nothing cracks again?! HELP!
I completed all sets, then when I came back after first coat of primer had dried, the ceiling was cracking again. I went back and did it all over again. Took extra care wiping down ceiling before priming. Seemed ok after first coat of primer and first coat of paint. Went back after second coat of paint and it had peeled again. Don’t know what options are now. Rip the ceiling down and have someone put new drywall or just drywall over entire peeling ceiling to cover it up?
Luke could you tell me more about the ceiling you are painting? Is it drywall or plaster? Do you know why the paint was peeling? Was there water damage or dark staining that would indicate moisture had been an issue? Thanks for this information it will help in answering your questions.
The ceiling is plaster, house is about 90 years old. I don’t know why paint was peeling, I just figured they had done a poor job of prepping or cleaning dust before they painted before they sold the house. When I scraped off the peeling paint when I started the job, there were no indications of dark spots or water damage from what I could see. I followed your steps and still have cracking paint once it’s dry.
Hmm at this point it’d be best to send us some pictures so we can see exactly what’s going on. That’s the best way for us to help you.
Has this issue ever been corrected? I am dealing with the same problem. Plaster walls and ceiling.
I have one patch over a toilet area in bathroom ceiling. The ceiling is kind of textured. Is there a tool you recommend to get the textured look so it all matches? Maybe I should hire someone but would I hire someone who does drywall or a painter or both??
Hi Carrie,
Textures can be tricky to match. Most experienced painters and drywallers have experience with this. But unless you texture the whole ceiling, no matter how good the person is doing the repair, it will not match perfectly.
Hope this helps.
I have one large ceiling area where the paint is peeling at a rapid pace. My ceilings were painted over 7 years ago and have not had any problems. About 5 years ago I had a very heavy mahogany front door installed – it’s it’s close to the area where ceiling paint is peeling. – I’m not sure if the two are connected. There does not appear to be water or moisture damage. However the peeling is above a large front window which looks out over a front porch with an overhang. I’m not sure if I have structure problems with the outside overhang or if I simply need to repaint the ceilings.
Hi, Liz. Thanks for your question. I don’t believe the door and the peeling are connected. Have you had anyone inspect the space above the ceiling, assuming it isn’t livable space? Also is the ceiling drywall or plaster?
Thanks
Our house was build in 1944 and is stucco. The interior walls are plaster and I assume the ceiling is also. Our dining room ceiling is peeling slowly in places. I’ve read your tips and process, along with your advice to others. I know I must scrape, sand, patch, sand, prime, and then paint. Do you recommend a sanding block, square palm sander, or round orbit sander? Also what patch and primer do you recommend?
Had a small fire in house with a lot of smoke damage. House was professionally and chemically cleaned and painted. Since then my ceilings all seem to be getting flaky can I put it down to bad paint as it was painted professionally at a Hugh cost
My bathroom ceiling is peeling terribly. About 2 years ago I scraped off the texture, patched it primed it with latex primer then painted it with 2 coats of ceiling paint. It has peeled now worse than before. What patching compound and paint do you recommend?
My home is build in the tropical island. Is all made of cement with the exception if the doors.
It was empty for some time, this year I desired that I will move in and found that not only water was leaking in but the ceiling was peeling really bad. The house that my dad build looks like the house of horror. I fix the leaking roof but can’t seem to fix the problem of the peeling ceiling. I need help. With the financial statics I can’t afford to pay someone to do this for me, so I will have to do it myself. Thank you