Thanks, richardkittyhawk for your help. Is a high build primer available to homeowners or just for professionals? I would have to roll it on. Do you know what products the painter used for satin/primer?

I think we forget about lead all too often. Not sure about you guys, but lead paint just wasn't part of my generation's experience. Kind of like black and white TV or no remotes and having to flip a dial ON the TV! lol!

Lead paints are something we all do need to be aware of and on the look out for.

Arapaho,
If I'm reading your meaning correctly...

Orange-peel texture is an applied texture. It's supposed to be that way.

Main question:
Do you want the slight texture on the wall?

>>> If not, wash then prime the walls. Have a good skimcoat job applied. This takes a practiced hand!
>>> Then prime again, and re-paint.

>>> If your "keeping" the existing texture...wash, prime, & paint the walls.

Fun-C is right...
If the walls are sound, just clean, prime, & re-paint. NO NEED to sand & risk lead exposure.

Faron

The 'orange peel' texture is just from years of paint being applied with the roller - that's my understanding of it. It's not supposed to be there.

What is a high build primer and is there one I can roll on? richardkittyhawk mentioned it.

Would that help to level things? If so, what brands should I look at.

The painters I know use Pratt and Lambert Silver High Build Primer and they topcoat with Pratt and Lambert Gold Satin.
It is available to homeowners and painters. It is a thick product and you can probably roll it. Part of the problem is that many painters try to one coat a project and use heavy nap rollers. Smooth drywall should be rolled with a 3/8 nap roller. One word of advice, do not use the new Avalon roller cover by Wooster because it is specifically designed to create the orange peel effect. Use Wooster SuperFab or ProDooz roller cover. Many homeowners buy high quality paint and then purchase a cheap roller cover or brush to paint the job, thinking it will be okay. The quality of your brush or roller covers greatly impacts your finish.

I painted my bedroom walls with benjamin Moore washable flat paint. The first coat went on well but the second has a orange peel texture. Not sure why. The second coat was put on several weeks after the first. I used the same 3/8 nap roller which was a good one that the paint store recommended. Maybe it will be less noticeable once the paint hardens. I will live with it but I'm a litle disapointed especially considering the price of the paint. Maybe I should have thinned it or used a new roller cover. Any thoughts?

rich,

High quality paint applied with a high quality roller (lint free) should provide quality results over a professionally prepared wall.

What may be wrong?

Re-coated too soon.
Too much pressure on roller.
Rolling over paint that has already *set* up. Easy to do with quality, fast drying waterbornes. That will pull the paint and leave a texture.

Tip: In the future, use high quality, 1/2" nap roller covers. Once you begin to roll, do not pause for anything until you've reached a breaking point; corner, door, etc.

The house was built in 1954 and I have no idea what's in all the layers.

You will be working with the top layer. But, avoid any scraping or dry sanding on any walls in that house.

Lead Paint.

You can work safely with lead paint. Follow the guidelines in the EPA homeowners remodeling guide. Wet surface sanding is a safe method. Follow disposal instructions of wash waters.

There are also guidelines to live by when the dwelling is known to have lead based paint and other products. Weekly maintenance reduces the risk.

Michael

Here is a link that might be useful: Protect Your Family