Why is my primer peeling off like plastic, and what can I do to fix it?
If the house is in the 100 year old range or older it be be a calcimide coating on the walls and ceilings. It is more of a white wash than paint. If you wipe your hand on the wall and you see a chaulky white powder on your hand, it may be calcimide. The powder prevents the paint from adhering. Sanding does not seem to help because the coating is absorbed into the porous plaster. It must be sealed or removed prior to primming. I have had decent results using Binz or Kilz first then prime and paint.