So now I have all this paint, peeling right off the wall, and I’m supposed to do a finish over it, that includes applying a low-tack, vinyl stencil. I call the contractor who first tells me it must be the humidity. It has been in the high 90’s for the past few days, but this paint was applied well over a month ago, when it was not humid, and the house is totally air-conditioned, all the time. I’m not buying it, and neither are the home owners.
Much to the contractor’s credit, he comes to the house so he can really see what is happening. The homeowners and I have both sent him photos of the problem. After questioning his painters, it is determined that a waterbased primer was used after the wallpaper was removed vs. the required oil based primer. Residue from the wallpaper paste/glue is leaching through the waterbased primer and the latex paint just will not adhere properly. The contractor agrees to have the painters return, scrape this all off, prime and repaint. Of course, the lead painter is now on vacation for the week, so everyone must wait for his return. I’d like to say I knew the answer to this problem instantly, but I really was not sure. Lucky for me, I belong to a wonderful online community of seasoned decorative painters from all over the country. In this private forum, we discuss all aspects of our business and help each other trouble shoot when these types of incidents occur. Many in this online community knew exactly what the problem was and one woman in AZ was experiencing the same dilemma on a huge stenciled ceiling she was working on for a show house, on a very tight deadline. She and her crew had to take care of the repair themselves to stay on schedule, so I was feeling quite grateful that this contractor was stepping up to the plate.
One of the very best things about this job was the fact that I had the fabulous P.J. Goddard helping me out for two days! P.J. came to deal with this one tall wall and was going to help with the stencil, had things not been delayed. Here you see her, fearlessly working where I would just be hopelessly clinging to the ladder.
While P.J. worked in the front foyer, I worked in this adjacent area to the foyer that was getting the same finish.
Here is the completed front door wall done my P.J.
This finish is a done with 2 glazes layered over Lusterstone.
Part 3 of this series will conclude with the finished stairway walls.
gorgeous!