Can you paint over painted beams?

[TamsenCB]

I want change the colour of the ceiling beams in my downstairs rumpus room. They are currently painted brown - and i would like to paint them white - same as existing ceiling. the paint that is on there new literally dissolves when adding water - as it is on the ceiling - i do not want to sand it, or worse wash to paint off - can i paint over it with a primer  - would that work?

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @TamsenCB. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about painting ceiling beams.

If the paint dissolves when water is added to it, it sounds like it is exceptionally compromised. Compromised paint should always be removed and not painted over. This is because the new paint may not bind adequately to the old and fail.

You could certainly attempt to prime and paint the surface, but there's no guarantee that it won't fail in the future.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell