Painting - A big painting mess

My wife and I recently bought a new home which the former owner had painted before we moved in. We didn't like the color so we decided to paint over it. We weren't sure if the painter had used latex or oil in the kitchen, so we roughed it up with some sand paper and primed it with Behr latex primer. Since we were doing a few different colors, we used the blue 3m painter's tape to mask off a few areas. When we began pulling up the tape, the primer under it began peeling off. When we looked closer, we realized that not only was our layer of primer peeling off, but the layer of paint that the primer was over was coming up with it. After some investigation we came to the logical conclusion that the painter had used a latex paint over an oil based paint with no primer. The painter vigorously denies that he could have made a mistake like that, but is offering to fix the edges and places that have peeled. Should we be satisfied with this or should we press him further until he agrees to strip it all down and re-paint? Thanks.

It would probably be useless to have him try to strip it all down. Have him fix it the best way he knows, (scraping off everything that will come off), and at least insist on him using an alkyd primer. This is your best bet for locking it all down to a stable surface. It may or may not work, but its about all you can do.

1. I doubt that latex paint was used over oil paint. Latex has been around for many many years and has been the paint of choice for much of that. I remember using mostly latex 30+ years ago.
2. Could be one of several reasons why the paint failed. Hard to tell without a personal look at it.
3. It is unreasonable to insist the painter strip it all down and redo it. It will also never happen. Let him fix the edges and be happy with that.
4. One tip for you - learn to paint without taping. Its not hard. But if you do use tape, pull it off as soon as you are done with the room. I can't tell you how many times we've responded to the same complaint about tape pulling off the paint. Its avoided by pulling off the tape before the paint cures.

Bob,
You would not believe how in love this painter is with oil based paint. He says that anyone who uses anything other than oil in a bathroom or kitchen is throwing their money away.
I found another interesting thing out last night the can of "oil based paint" that was used in the kitchen was left in the house when we bought it. Last night I tried some Goof Off on some paint that had dried on the side of the can, and it came right off. The Goof Off website (http://www.goof-off.com/goofoff/PRODUCTS/goofoff.html) claims that it will not affect oil based paint, but will remove latex paint. Is it possible that the paint was mislabeled by the company? It is Scotch Paint (a small, local paint company). Just wondering.
You guys have been a huge help. We feel much more comfortable now just letting him fix the problem and trusting him for the results. Thanks again.

erik

I use DrawTite which is made by.......Scotch Paints. I was also going to recommend having the painter seal it down with ....... Drawtite. I'm surprised the Goof Off worked on it, you are right in saying it shouldn't effect oil paints. Hmmmm.

In the total spirit of non criticism; I disagree with BobF. All the charicteristics you described are a "latex over oil situation", and the Goof Off validated this. I my humble opinion; this is one of the biggest, almost irrepairable mistakes that can be made in painting. Unfortunately I see it quite a lot these days. In fact; most painters coming down the pike now, know absolutely nothing about oil base paint. I'm not sure how much of this is their fault though. This is almost an all latex world now. Latex is absolutely great in it's proper place, but it's turned into a do all for all situations. That's great if so desired; but not after oil has been used as the foundation. I over hear younger painters(and not just the younger ones) at the paint store discussing their job, and they will ask for the managers suggestion, and he(she) will ask"what is on there now", and more often than not they will say"I guess(or probably) latex. I can't comprehend not knowing, or finding out what was used on a job before on got there. I think Prowallguy is right on line. I think I maybe would have allowed the skimming of the peeled areas and spotting it and doing a repaint, until I found the paint he used and that he intentionally misled you, and has left you to deal with it; I think now I would push the issue. Pardon the long post; I guess I'm just tired of seeing what is happening to a great trade that was once held in a higher regard. I would also like to say that I have followed many threads in which our moderatorhas replied, and it's obvious to me that he is someone I would feel 100% comfortable doing my painting for me. Thank you Prowallguy. Good luck utaker611 with whatever coarse of action you choose.
John Sr.:)