Stairwell walls (flats) need painted.Existing paint: cracked like dry mud (or spider web)! : cheap/ wrong paint? How should surfaces be prepared? What paint req.? (stair windows often left open).

proberbly the plaster wasnt dry enough or maybe they was paste on wall and wasnt cleaned off well enough before applying paint. dulux is the best emulsion. you pay for what you get. scrape of "spider web" if there is white powder behind then you need to give thougher rub down and apply alkali resisting primer before emulsion. if you dont want to spend too much ie: renting out or selling then apply very thinned down (with turps) coat of undercoat before emulsion. martin

Dulux from a Dulux decorating centre not Dulux from Homebase. Two completely different products - one professional and one DIY tatt. Johnstones Covaplus is nearly as good and a lot cheaper. Eggshell would provide a very good hard wearing surface providing good water resistance. If condensation is a big issue install passive vents at high level on each floor to mitigate this.

Crazing is caused by either painting over damp plaster or generally through paste residue being left .I find the most effective solution is flat off and apply a sealer/binder coat and then you can either paint or line and paint you have a choice

Tradesman Decorators is spot on with regards to crazing... this also happens if your painting matt emulsion over a sheen, silk finish or eggshell too! If its a sheen on the walls already keep it that way, more so being that its a communal stair well....

If paint was applied on fresh plaster, you should ensure the plaster is dry, and water down the first coat. Liam

Give a good scrap off and rob down,then spot prime any bare plaster with watered down Matt emulsion,fill or skim any uneven surfaces,yes you would need a hard wearing paint resistance to moisture,ask in your local decorators centre what they would recommend according to your budget,

Hi plaster doest dry enough

Hi. I recommend that you make sure that the plaster is completely dry, otherwise it will cause the paint to crack.