Of course the trim needs to be sanded before painting. Aura is not magical paint. You still need to prep. Nothing is going to stick to a slick surface, especially if it is painting latex over oil. It is a bit strange that he would select Aura exterior for interior, but that is not the reason it is failing. Aura has a small learning curve, but any normal painter should be able to figure out how to apply it without getting drips rather quickly. I would say that you should have the painter come back, remove everything that is not adhered, sand and recoat, but it honestly doesn't sound like he knows how to paint.

but it honestly doesn't sound like he knows how to paint.

especially if he is using an exterior paint inside

Thanks guys for your feedback! The painter is actually a seasoned pro, 25 years in the job, who now hires people to paint for him (not very well.) Nevertheless he must have had a reason for choosing that paint. I assume it's cost effective, but in what way? Why not use the interior paint? I'm still puzzled. I have very little hope that he'll agree to come back and redo everything. Anyway, thanks again.

I assume it's cost effective,

Actually it is more expensive than the interior and for a "seasoned pro" something is wrong here, why not ask him why? If he will not come back to make things right,then he is in no way any professional painter.

Maybe he had some Aura exterior from another job left over.

I had this same argument with my brother who is a contractor. I had read that exterior paint is not recommended for interior use because the companies add chemicals to them to prevent fading, mildew etc. These chemicals are not approved for interior use. I don't know if the aura exterior is a low VOC paint like the interior bit I hope you don't have to worry about offgassing chemicals. He most likely had leftover paint.

Couple of interesting points here...

1) From ACE's technical-dept., and other others...
* Many INTERIOR paints are actually A LITTLE TOUGHER than Exteriors!!!
* Latex binder formulations are purposely designed to be a little more flexible for EXTERIOR use. In essence, the exterior binders need to have some "give" in order to survive the temp-extremes.
* Interior-only paints are more "rigid". Obviously...usually less temp. variations inside!
* The same colorants are used obviously.
* Some Exterior lines do have added mildewcides; but once the film has "cured/hardened", no off-gassing occurs.

2) "My paint was applied by someone who's been painting for 25 yrs...."
* Dear Lord...we hear this all the time...
* After some inquiry to a "paint-problem", we usually find it's just plain ignorance of a Home-owner or Painter. Lack of prep, the wrong prep.....the list is endless.
* We just had an incident where a "professional painter" did a large interior area. The customer came back to us and said the paint looked different at the edges....
* Turns out...the painter had done a 2nd cut-in...AND LEFT IT THAT WAY!!!!
* "Well he's been painting for 20 yrs." was the initial response...

(I think I need to start drinking....!!)

3) MANY companies' (including ACE) dark-tint bases are "Combo-bases".
* Meaning...the SAME Cherry-Chocolate color you may use on your Accent-wall, goes into the EXACT SAME can that you'd buy to trim your Exterior.
* These are labled as "Interior/Exterior" on ACE's cans.

Faron

Lots of painters use exterior paint for interior trim as they think it covers better and allows for one coat in lieu of two.

While it may cover better, the above post is correct. Exterior coatings are designed for the exterior elements and flexibility is key. Everything outside moves as the temp and humidity changes so the coatings are 'soft'.

Can't comment on the safety of the coatings as I doubt anyone else on this board is qualified either, but the paint stores knowingly sell exterior coatings to new residential contractors everyday.

Lots of painters use exterior paint for interior trim as they think it covers better and allows for one coat in lieu of two.

I, for one( being a painter) have NEVER heard of this being done and am sure that any professional painter would not even consider doing anything such as you have stated, exterior paint does not coat any better than interior.

but the paint stores knowingly sell exterior coatings to new residential contractors everyday.

No paint store has EVER done this to me or any other contractor I have ever met, unless it is for exterior work. Where are you getting this information?

He painted over oil base finish. That’s your problem