cracked paint on walls

[Paulsy]

Hi, my hall badly needs painting, the last time my other half done it the paint dried with cracks in it in lots of places leaving it looking a right mess. Can anyone tell me why this happened please?

[mick_jwm1957]

was it wallpapered before being painted,if so it could have been that the paste had not been completely washed off prior to emulsion

[The Builder]

Most likely because it dried too quickly. In other words, the plaster needed to be primed first.
Or ........... it was a water-based emulsion applied to a gloss or oil finish.
How old is the house?

[Paulsy]

yes there is backing paper up which had emulsion on it, he just emulsioned over that. Being a DIY dunce I wouldn't have a clue, I wondered it it was anything to do with the hall being really cold and damp as it was done during winter

[Paulsy]

I know it was a matt emulsion over a silk one

[The Builder]

Yes, I can see that Matt over Silk over paper would cause movement, shrinkage, and cracking.
I think it's time to strip the paper.

[mick_jwm1957]

i wondered if he had stripped wallpaper before painting, emulsion over paper should have been ok, time of year should have no affect on it

[Paulsy]

Thanks for the advice, glad I asked and saved the same thing happening again, cheers :-)