Paint Falling Off

Hi there! I am completely stumped as to what is happening to my vintage console table. The paint seems to be bubbling and then falling off!

The wooden legs have formed indents in them where the paint can just flake off. Below is a description of the item and images

Console by nyc270 posted Feb 15, 2021 at 5:42 PM

Console by nyc270 posted Feb 15, 2021 at 5:49 PM

Console by nyc270 posted Feb 15, 2021 at 5:49 PM

Console by nyc270 posted Feb 15, 2021 at 5:49 PM

 

I usually see paint do that when the wood has gotten wet and dried back out. Is it in a new drier environment? If so it doesn't seem to appreciate it.

 

It looks to me that the original legs matched the top and someone painted them black. If you paint with a different kind of paint - let us say oil based paint or urethane and then use water based paint and don't prep the surface properly, the new paint won't stick. This is my guess as to what may have happened. Perhaps someone else will weigh in with a different idea.

 

Vintage 1990? This looks like an import item. Would say the paint was not completely compatible with the finish underneath. Over time, the paint contracted and separated. Not totally unheard of for import stuff.

 

Thanks to your response! We had the table for about 5 months before it started to peel. It may have taken that long for the wood to dry out? Nothing has ever spilt on it, but possibly from the different environment?

 

Yes, we had the console imported from Italy. The seller said it was from 1950’s and has been refinished.

 

The points where the paint is chipping and bubbling up have groves and indents in them. At first wasn’t sure why it seemed to have those holes which were not there months ago

 

Go back to importer and make him eat the table....

The dating is questionable and the refinishing...was done improperly and with poor materials ...
or so it would seem.....
imo