Walls & Painting · Walls
Fix Peeling Paint
Repair summary
Peeling means moisture or poor adhesion. Scrape back to a sound edge, sand the feather line, spot-prime with a stain-blocking primer, then repaint two thin top coats.
Likely issue
Moisture ingress or poor original prep
DIY difficulty
3/5
Estimated DIY cost
$40–$70
Estimated tradie cost
$250–$500
Tools required
- Scraper
- Sanding block
- Brush
- P2 mask
Materials required
Step-by-step instructions
- Probe the area with a scraper to find where adhesion is sound.
- Peeling means moisture or poor adhesion. Scrape back to a sound edge, sand the feather line, spot-prime with a stain-blocking primer, then repaint two thin top coats.
Safety warnings
Homes built before 1970 may contain lead paint — wet-scrape only, wear a P2 mask, and dispose of dust as hazardous waste.
When to call a tradie
Call a licensed tradie if the work is outside the scope of this guide, involves regulated trades (electrical, gas, structural, waterproofing), or if you discover hidden damage. A professional will typically charge $250–$500.
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