Paint peels from walls for specific reasons. Painting over peeling paint without fixing the cause just moves the failure one layer deeper.
Moisture behind the paint
The most common cause of exterior paint peeling in Bloemfontein is moisture in the wall pushing paint off from behind. This can come from rising damp, a failed waterproofing detail at the eaves or parapet, or a leak running down behind the external render. Paint applied over active moisture always fails - the question is how soon.
Inadequate surface prep on the last repaint
If the previous painter applied new paint over old flaking paint without removing it, you get the classic 'alligatoring' pattern where paint breaks into irregular islands. The only fix is to strip back to sound paint or plaster, treat the surface, prime and repaint. There is no shortcut.
Wrong primer or no primer on a new surface
Unpainted render is highly alkaline. Alkali saponifies oil-based paints and causes adhesion failure. New render needs either a dedicated alkali-resistant sealer or to cure for several weeks before painting with an acrylic. Skipping the sealer is a common shortcut that causes early failure.
How to fix it properly
Remove all loose and peeling paint by scraping and wire brushing. Identify and fix any moisture source. Repair cracked or damaged plaster. Apply the correct sealer for the surface type. Prime and paint with a quality exterior acrylic rated for Bloemfontein's UV and temperature range. Done correctly, a repaint lasts 7–10 years.
Go deeper:
Damp Walls? Why Waterproofing Can't WaitFrequently Asked Questions
Can I paint directly over peeling paint with a thick coat?
No. A thick coat over loose paint just gives you a thicker layer that peels. All loose material must come off before any paint is applied.
How do I know if the peeling is from moisture or poor prep?
Moisture-driven peeling tends to be localised to areas near gutters, parapet walls, ground level or corners. Poor prep peeling tends to be more widespread and follows the coverage pattern of the last paint job.