Help with pealing paint (first timer here)

JTKemp

We have an older house, built in the 60's. When we moved in, we had an issue with the roof leaking a little and we ended up with a few water damage spots where the paint on the ceiling started pealing off. There is also areas where no water damage is, yet the paint has started to crack and peal on it's own. I think it looks like the paint layers have built up over time and now it's pealing off. We're wanting to redo the paint now but we're not sure how to go about it all. We want it to look nice and be done the right way. How do we make sure the ceiling and walls are prepared correctly and that the paint won't peal off again? Any help is great. Also, we're expecting in 2 months and we don't want paint that would be harmful to breathe or touch, so please keep that in mind. Thank you for your help!

Forgot to say, the walls and ceiling are plaster. You can see the waves of rows whoever did the ceiling last made. It looks like rows along the ceiling, we'd like to fix that as well, make it look smooth.

Mr. Paint

JT: A couple things to know: Bells Peal, paint PEELS. Secondly, please don't get caught up in the hysteria that paint is harmful to touch and breathe. Generations of people have survived modern paints. Concern about indoor air-quality is applicable only during the application and curing process. The paint industry has developed some premium-quality, zero-VOC (Volatile Organic Content) indoor paints and many now have zero-VOC colorants. Ask for these features at your local dealer.

The areas that have peeled must be scraped/sanded to remove any loose coating. Prime the damaged areas with Zinsser Cover-Stain. This is a fast-dry oil primer that will not allow the water extractives to bleed through. Do whatever spackling/patching is needed, sand to match surface profile, prime patches and apply finish when primer is recoatable.

Once you hav scraped the walls, you may have an un-even substrate. Some areas where paint peeled and others where it wouldn't budge. Prime the walls with XIM Peel-Bond. this will even out the un-eveness. You can finish as desired with flat or the very popular eggshell and low-sheen finishes.

Good luck with your project.