HELP! I need to paint my apartment, and the paint won't stick to the walls, and goops up easily?

Question

I have the cheapest, thinnest, slickest sheetrock ever, and the landlord's painters use this primer/paint (off white) which yellows, attracts dirt, and shows every hasty painting neglect/mistake. I want to redo the job myself, with the Behr semi-gloss, but it wont stay on the wall! I tried Zinnser Primer next, but that won't stick either! Roller or Brush doesn't seem to matter. Do I really HAVE to sand the walls 1st? Is there an easier way that I just don't know about? It's like the wall is actually rejecting the paint...it slides, drips, and forms little globs and balls...and if I try to fix it with another coat, both layers go back on the roller or brush. Help!

Answer 1

Here's something cheap you can try. Get some TSP at your home center. It's a strong cleaner. Not only will it will remove any residue but it kills any gloss on the paint surface. Just try it in one small area first to see if this works (no sense making extra work). Let the area dry and try the paint. If the painting goes properly, scrub all the walls, then paint. Hope this does the trick.

Answer 2

There may be an oil based paint or primer on the walls. That would explain the yellowing.

You can go to your local Sherwin Williams (or other local) paint store and get a primer to use over that oil based paint. Then your Acrylic based Behr Semi Gloss should stick.

Just curious, Why a semi gloss? Are you painting a kitchen or bathroom or a living room/bedroom? Ususally a flat isbetter in living areas and semi gloss in areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Answer 3

It sounds like the walls have a coating of something on them. Grease from cooking, wax from candle burning, smoke from, well whatever someones been smokin, etc. etc.
You need to scrub the walls with a good detergent type cleaner like Mr Clean, top job, 409, etc, first. Let throughly dry and then try again using original kilz primer.
Try it in a small area and see if that dont work.

Answer 4

sand it with an electrical sander then try to paint it if not try mineral spirits and sand.u gotta get the wall ruff so the paint sticks

Answer 5

the wall is probably painted with oil base enamel and water base paint will not stick to it. you must use another oil base paint to cover it. you need mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean up with instead of water. it smells bad but works good. oil base is more washable and stays longer and wears better.

Answer 6

try using something less glossy, i know it sounds crappy but a matt finish does really nice when you are trying to cover p dirt....the landlord should help you out with that but the guys at the piant store or home depo will tell you exactly which one to use too, good luck!

Answer 7

you need to ether sand the walls or by new paint

Answer 8

try a spot with kiltz its a stain cover put it on let it dry then try to paint over it

Answer 9

you need to prim them first OK use paint primer before you paint.