Painting - Latex paint

We just finished painting the walls of my living room with eggshell latex paint. After the second coat was dry, we removed the masking tape on the ceiling and the latex paint would "go"' with the tape, like a gum, as we were peeling it away. In other words, the paint did not stick to the wall. This caused an uneven line between the ceiling and the wall. What should have I done differently? Now I am re-painting the edge (the point where the ceiling and wall meet) with an edge painter. Any other suggestions to solve this problem?

Did you prime the walls first? I'm not expert here, but have heard that if you use one type of paint and then cover with another the paint may have trouble adhering to the original paint.

Kay

Yes, we did put a coat of primer.

Was it an oil-based or water-based primer? I used a water based primer and then painted with a latex paint. I had the same problem in some areas when removing the tape.

I'll check around and see what I can't find out.

Kay

I used an all-purpose primer as this one site wrote about. However, I also noticed that an undercoat? should be applied.

This is an excerpt from the site.

Primer - These may be oil or water based and are used to seal unpainted surfaces to prevent covering coats of paint soaking in. The appropriate type of primer should be used for the surface being painted - wood, metal, plaster or tiles. There are some 'all purpose primers' available which are designed for two or more of these surfaces.

Undercoat - Usually oil-based, undercoat is applied on top of the primer. The undercoat should be of the correct colour to provide the right colour base for the finishing coats.

I'll keep checking.

Kay

You simply left the tape on too long. Remove the tape that same day, before the paint cures.

I know that must have been what I did. I waited 24 hours after painting before I removed the tape. Wanted to make sure it was good and dry before I did.

Now I know. Thanks.

Kay