Plaster Wall People - Help!

I live in a brick exterior apt with plaster walls on the inside built in the late 40's.

I am noticing large cracks in my paint on the walls that face the outside - It seems like just the paint, not a serious crack in the actual structure. There are no cracks on our interior walls. I think it is because these outside walls are very hot/cold with the outdoor temperature - I guess we don't have good insulation?

We moved in 3 years ago and freshly painted and are about to redo the bathroom for a different color.

Is there special paint we are supposed to use? Anything to prevent this?

Re: Plaster Wall People - Help!

here's how to fix it. just painting wont help.

1. Using a putty knife or a utilty knife, score the hairline crack to open its edges. This may seem counter-intuitive, but you need to increase the area for the repair compound to stick to. Brush off any loose crumbs.
2. With a wide taping knife (of the type used for drywall), smooth a thin layer of joint compound over the cracked section.
3. Press paper tape or fiberglass tape into the wet area, along the length of the crack. This is ordinary drywall tape. You don't need to purchase any special plaster repair tape.
4. Let dry. Feather joint compound over taped area so that the compound extends two or three inches past the taped area.
5. Let the joint compound dry. Lightly sand it down with fine sandpaper to get rid of any bumps or ridges. Don't sand so hard that you dig into the tape.
6. Feather a second layer of joint compound, this time extending the edges even farther to about six to eight inches. Let dry. Sand.
7. Finally, your third coat of joint compound takes the edges out to twelve inches. Since this is your last chance to get the sanding right, be careful to make it smooth.

Unfortunately plaster cracks over time so you might have to repair every now and then.

Re: Plaster Wall People - Help!

Thanks!

Is it from the hot/cold outside?

anything else to do to prevent?

Re: Plaster Wall People - Help!