Can someone tell me if it is a good idea to scrape away old paint before applying two coats of new paint? Some painters so yes, some say no. If the old paint stays in place and starts to peel or crack under the new paint, won’t that cause the new paint to peel and crack?
Absolutely scrape away old paint. Also, use primer instead of two coats of paint. The primer will help even out your painting surface and help the life of the new paint.
If there is the possibility of it being lead based paint, leave it alone and paint over it as is.
If not, then you will definitely get a better looking and longer lasting finish if you scrape.
Oh yeah, lead based paint is a total different story! A possibly expensive story…
I know I’m late on this, but here’s my thoughts as a former fulltime and now side-biz painter.
If it’s lead, I’d be comfortable scraping (DO NOT SAND) until no more wants to come off. Patch bad spots and hard lines left by chipped off paint with either shrink-free spackle or drywall mud. Then a coat of a good primer. Oil based primers can be a paint to work with, but a great sealers. The safety advice here is to sweep/vacuum up all paint chips that fell.
If it’s not lead paint, then scrape off as much as will come off, then with sandpaper “feather” the hard edges back about 1". Use a small enough grit (100 or 120) that will not leave too many marks in the wall. A coat of good primer and your ready to paint.
For the rest of the wall that didn’t peel wipe it clean with some warm water and TSP cleaner to get any dirt and grime off.
Here’s what he EPA says:
Take precautions before your contractor or you begin remodeling or renovations that disturb painted surfaces (such as scraping off paint or tearing out walls):
o Have the area tested for lead-based paint.
o Do not use a belt-sander, propane torch, heat gun, dry scraper, or dry sandpaper to remove lead-based paint. These actions create large amounts of lead dust and fumes.
o Lead dust can remain in your home long after the work is done.
o Temporarily move your family (especially children and pregnant women) out of the apartment or house until the work is done and the area is properly cleaned. If you can’t move your family, at least completely seal off the work area.
o Follow other safety measures to reduce lead hazards. You can find out about other safety measures in the EPA brochure titled “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home” (PDF) (26 pp, 933 KB, About PDF)". This brochure explains what to do before, during, and after renovations.
o If you have already completed renovations or remodeling that could have released lead-based paint or dust, get your young children tested and follow the steps outlined to protect your family.
I’m with you on this but I was “dain-bramaged” before I started. But, the truth is that it’s not safe to scrape LBP at all.
More at: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm#remodeling
Keith
Thanks all for your feedback!