How do I prepare chipped cornices for repainting?

msietsma

I am renovating a room, and put painters tape on the cornice while I painted the walls - I wasn't initially intending to repaint the cornice. When I removed the tape, it pulled off large patches of paint, no matter how carefully I tried to lift it. I've tried sanding it back, but I seem to be very quickly sanding soft plaster without getting rid of the ridges where the paint peeled. Should I try skim coating? If so, how do I achieve a smooth finish on the rounded concave surface? Is there something I could paint or sponge on that will hold it together and create a smoother surface? Sorry for the very poor photo quality.

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @msietsma. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for your question on repairing paint chips.

It sounds like, despite the paint delaminating quite easily when you removed the tape, the paint itself is still physically harder than the plaster cornice underneath. As you've already discovered, that makes it quite difficult to sand the edge of the paint down without removing the softer plaster instead.

I think you're on the right track. Rather than trying to sand the paint edge away, I'd build up the lower section where the paint has come away using a skim coat of plaster filler. Once it's dry, you can sand the filler back until it's flush with the surrounding painted surface, leaving you with a much smoother transition. A second skim coat over the entire area and onto the paint on either side will create a convincing repair. I've created a magnified rendering below to illustrate. The yellow layer is your paint.

For sanding the coved profile, I'd recommend using a sanding sponge rather than standard sandpaper. The sponge will conform to the curved shape of the cornice, making it much easier to achieve an even finish without creating flat spots.

Once you're happy with the repair, give the area a coat of primer before repainting the entire cornice for a consistent finish.

Please let us know if you have any questions along the way. We'd be happy to help.

Mitchell