Using a latex primer on ceiling.

Questions & AnswersCategory: Painting Walls and CeilingsUsing a latex primer on ceiling.
Eric Chang asked 10 years ago

I’m applying a latex primer on a ceiling that has a paper like surface. It doesn’t want to adhere to the ceiling, starts clumping up & looks like cottage cheese. I swept the ceiling to take off any debris. But primer still clumping. What is happening & what could I do to properly paint this ceiling?

1 Answers
Crowder Painting answered.

Use an oil base or shellac primer. Most likely the latex primer is loosening the "paper" surface, causing the clumping. This is just like priming wallpaper, latex primers often cause bubbling of the wallpaper while oil base or shellac primers usually don't.