Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. Show
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process Updated on 06/02/22 Reviewed by Deane Biermeier Reviewed by Deane Biermeier Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board Fact checked by Alexandra Kay Fact checked by Alexandra Kay Alexandra Kay is a writer, fact-checker, researcher, and editor who checks The Spruce articles for accuracy and adds source citations. Alex frequently writes for b2b and b2c publications. When she isn't writing or fact-checking for print or online articles, Alex is an associate professor of English at a community college. Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process Joseph Sohm / Getty ImagesProject Overview
Before painting your house's interior or exterior, it's important to deal with existing paint problems. Although you can simply cover over old, peeling, or chipped paint with a fresh coat, this approach tends to leave telltale rough edges. In a certain light, this paint cover-up is highly visible. For key areas—or if you are just more of a perfectionist—you will want the underlying layer to present a perfectly smooth, flat surface as the base for a fresh coat of paint. Basics of Fixing Chipped, Peeling PaintIf you're extremely motivated and have a great deal of free time on your hands, you can strip off every square inch of paint right down to bare wood, But it's easier and more logical to make spot fixes instead of stripping away all of the paint. When peeling or chipping paint is found in a small area, you may be able to simply brush off the peeling paint and then prime the wall and paint over it. As long as the remaining edges of the peeling area are stable, this solution will work. But it's not always the most attractive solution, especially if you're dealing with peeling or chipped paint that is several layers deep. A better method is to fill the depressions with wood filler before priming and painting. In addition to being more attractive, this method also helps protect those edges of existing paint so that they are less likely to begin peeling again. TipThis type of fix is best for small and infrequent patches of peeling or chipped paint. If the house is badly damaged, all of the paint should be removed. Safety ConsiderationsOlder homes, especially those built before 1978, may have been painted with lead-based paint. Lead-based paint has been proven through research to cause neurological damage. It is particularly harmful to pregnant women and to children. Test the paint for lead before you begin stripping or sanding it. If it does contain lead, have the paint removed by a qualified remediation company.
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