How can I fix flaking paint and spider cracking on the plaster above my kitchen cabinets before painting?
Asked by Phil Fox 
4 months ago
Last Updated: May 21, 2024
I recently purchased a house that could use some updating, and I’m currently in the kitchen. Above the upper cabinets, there are wood cabinets with sliding doors that go all the way up to the ceiling. However, the paint behind them is flaking and the plaster has spider cracking. Do you think using joint compound or something similar could fix this before I paint?
Dealing with plaster wall deterioration can be a challenge. You have options like sealing, skim coating, and priming/painting to help contain it for a good amount of time.
Yeah, I’m pretty much in agreement with Dennis on this. It really comes down to how deep you want to go. My suggestion would be to scrape and steel brush off as much as possible, and then see how rough it looks before deciding on the next steps. Also, you should consider the wall texture you need to match. If it’s textured, you can buy spray can texture which does a good job of hiding imperfections.
Is this smooth plaster
Sure, when you mention smooth plaster, are you talking about a super smooth finish like a car or more like small bumps in the paint known as stipple?
Why not consider hiring someone to put glidwall on the entire ceiling?
Ryan, I believe the original poster is talking about the top of the wall, not the ceiling.
Hey , I believe it can also be applied on walls. Pretty cool, right?
Hey Ryan, I’m not too familiar with that. Can it both fill and seal? And do you know what the texture of glidwall is like?
Hey there, ! Have you heard of fiberglass matting being used with drywall mud to repair old plaster surfaces and add durability to the walls?
Ryan Warrior, after looking into it a bit, it seems like a viable choice. My other option was to completely renovate the room, but only that one foot above the cabinets is an issue – the rest of the walls are fine.
That’s the beauty of this material – it can rejuvenate old walls and ceilings without the need for extensive renovations. However, it’s best to hire a professional for installation.
Ryan Warrior, what makes it not DIY friendly? I’m pretty confident in my abilities. I just had some doubts about this particular issue when it comes to the house.
Go ahead, !
FibaFuse 36 in. x 75 ft. Drywall and Plaster Repair Fabric without paper
I think putting back cabinets would be a great way to kill two birds with one stone
‘ only concern is that my new cabinets are 30 inches tall. If I install them all the way to the ceiling, they will be too high above the counter. The previous cabinets were also 30 inches tall, but there were built-in cabinets above them. Those cabinets were from the 60s and in bad shape, so I had to remove them.
Got it, I was referring to installing some small cabinets on top of your 30-inch cabinets.
How do you plan to do it? Frame it out and then add the doors?
If it’s pretty close to the original height, I’d go for prefab cabinets. But you could also consider building them in place.
You could scrape it down, apply a skim coat with compound, prime it, and then paint it.
Will it last a long time?
You should be fine with it…there are no guarantees for life, but it should hold up for 10-15 years..since it’s above the cabinets, it will mostly be warm…I’ve had the same issue above my stove and microwave a few times..but I think it’s due to the heat and steam..but you should be good..just make sure to use a quality primer..the results in any home project depend on the materials used..that’s my philosophy..I’ve been in the construction industry my whole life, with 45 years of experience in home building/remodeling…I believe you will be fine
Thank you. Would Kilz primer be a good choice for this situation?