Can You Skim Coat Over Peeling Painted Walls?

Warping

• If you apply a light coat of paint over peeling wall paint, the entire surface might appear to be warped. The underlying layer of peeling paint still exists, so a top layer of paint will likely show all the bumps, crevices and flaws in the original damaged surface. Peeling paint is often more obvious to the naked eye if you apply more than one skim coat of paint. The result is a surface that looks thick and uneven.

Further Peeling

• A skim coat of paint temporarily stops the paint from peeling while the paint is still wet. Once the skim coat of paint dries, however, the wall surface will likely start peeling again. Sometimes the skim coat of paint will separate from the original peeling paint, thus increasing the visible amount of damage. The result is two layers of peeling paint versus the original single layer only.

Light Sanding

• A light amount of sanding reduces the amount of peeling paint and ensures that the skim coat application adheres to the surface. Use a low-grit sandpaper and gently rub over the peeling areas until the surface feels smooth to the touch. Brush all of the paint chips away before you apply the skim coat of paint. Light sanding creates a suitable surface for a new layer of paint.

Rustic or Shabby Chic Motif

• In a few room designs, peeling paint is actually part of the decoration. If you want a rustic or a "shabby chic" wall design, you can skim coat over peeling paint and let the paint chips dry and flake away from the wall surface. The result is a weathered appearance that resembles a rustic barn or a shabby chic design. You can also purchase a tool from your local hardware store that allows you to purposely peel away small areas of paint to encourage the rustic or shabby motif.