Michael -
If calcimine/distemper has been ruled out (easy to test for, tough to remove) then I would suggest a PH test to determine the alkali content of the surface of the plaster. There are specific primers that are targeted to high-alkali surfaces, like Sherwin-Williams LOXON, which is an excellent primer for alkali or chalky surfaces. Many typical primers do not do well with plaster. You don't say if the present paint is a new coat over older paint or if you removed all the paint down to the plaster surface. If the latter, then neutralization of the stripper (or not) may be an issue.
Also, it's not necessarily lime plaster. The early 20th century (1904) included new proprietary gypsum plaster materials as well.
Regards,
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Jeff Clarke
________________________________________
T. Jeffery Clarke AIA NCARB LEED Green Associate
T. Jeffery Clarke Architect LLC
116 Commons Way
Princeton NJ 08540
(609) 252-1164
email -
tjefferyclarke@comcast.netwebsite -
www.jeffclarkearchitect.comPlease visit us on Houzz -
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-31-2016 20:51
From: Lauren Dillon
Subject: Experience with paint delamination?
Michael -
Most times a paint failure or loss of bond isn't due to issues with either the paint or the original plaster but rather are caused when new HVAC systems are introduced to the building's interior or the interior climate is stabilized to a different level. Your lime plaster takes on and releases moisture phenomenally - naturally regulating your interior environments from season to season. However, when updated systems are introduced and set to a specific temperature and humidity level the moisture that the lime plaster has held for all of these years is slowly and systematically pulled out of that lime plaster. As the moisture continually moves out of your existing plaster walls the paint peels and flakes with it as a consequence. So most times neither the plaster nor the paint are actually having issues, it is just that you have now changed the interior climate and the building is adjusting accordingly. The moisture stability of plaster is one of the main reasons why joint compound/drywall mud should never be used to restore existing plaster - it will fail over time due to the clay composition of drywall mud verses the chemical composition and the chemical changes lime plaster go through when exposed to the carbon dioxide in the surrounding air. Calcimine could be a potential issue with the failure of the paint bond but this is less likely. If a layer of calcimine was added before the application of the original paint layer you will have systematic failure throughout your structure and will need to remove all of the calcimine before addressing new paint layer applications. Hope this helps!
design@masterofplaster.com
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Lauren Dillon
Executive Designer
Master of Plaster Finishing Systems, Inc.
Columbia SC
Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2016 16:08
From: Michael Bjornberg
Subject: Experience with paint delamination?
We have some issues with paint delamination in an historic building circa 1904.
We know it is not distemper paint or an issue of latex paint over enamel paint.
It occurs in a variety of areas an conditions, but the failure seems to mainly express itself at the original plaster and paint juncture/layer.
I have read some possibility about the plaster size causing failure.
Michael Bjornberg FAIA
Project Management
HGA Architects and Engineers
420 North 5th Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Direct 612.758.4385 | Fax 612.758.9385
Mobile 612.859.2762
MBjornberg@hga.com
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