There is no easy fix. You really need to remove the calcimine by manual methods, lots of work. I have had luck with applying Gardz after removal to lock down any residual but it is not labeled for this purpose. If you can get some Draw Tite from Scotch Paint, it is a better product, it is still not labeled for this but should work better than the Gardz

Here is a link that might be useful: draw tite

Just a thought, do you need to be worried about lead paint?

Yes - I'm aware of lead paint and use appropriate precautions....etc....etc.

Right now, I need to know if I have to get ALL paint removed from the wall in order to prep it for next steps.

Are you able to answer that question?

You don't need to remove all the paint. What is stuck is stuck. Using the Gardz or any type of sealer before you apply patching is good because you will have a base for the patch. It also works to prevent any bubbling that may occur when you patch over problem areas usually caused by moisture.

The neat thing about calcimine is that even after these long years it is still water soluble. So start scrubbing. You may want to learn how to use a wall scraper to remove the subsequent paint and expose the calcimine so it can be washed off faster. BenMoore makes a primer called Calcimine Recoater 306 made just for the purpose of fixing the problem should you choose not to wash it off.
Casey

Thank you for the responses! This project is driving me nutty!!

So, to clarify, if I may, once 'the loose stuff' is removed, I do NOT have to spend time trying to chisel off the paint that is not loose? I can then wash the wall (soap & water), then paint it with Gardz -- then, plaster skim coat? Then, it should be ready for the primer and paint color?

Do I have the steps and the order correct?

Thank you all so very much for your advice! I cannot tell you how tired I am of looking at walls that should be in a abandoned hauted house...

So, to clarify, if I may, once 'the loose stuff' is removed, I do NOT have to spend time trying to chisel off the paint that is not loose? I can then wash the wall (soap & water), then paint it with Gardz -- then, plaster skim coat? Then, it should be ready for the primer and paint color?

after sanding and cleaning the dust

You got it and you can just prime with the Gardz again

So, apply Guardz as a primer to the skim-coat? Can I also use regular primer on top of the Guardz?

No need for another primer,Gardz is a primer already!

Okay....got it! Thanks for the help with this.

Spent most of last night scraping the wall of loose paint....and, there is still MORE! Ugh!!!!

One more question about this (sorry!), I've begun the 'washing the wall' part. I'm using a spray bottle with a hot water and Downy mixture. The plaster wall base color is a pale yellow.

Some of the water residue that drips from the wall is amber-in color. I had thought that watered-down calcimine would be similar to dirty-dishwater in color...not amber?

Could this be something else besides calcimine or is this normal?

....or, does it even matter and I'm simply over-thinking this?...LOL...

Thanks!

, does it even matter and I'm simply over-thinking this?...

To much thinking and not enough painting!

LOL....yeah, that's what I thought too. Thanks chritophern! ;-)

Have fun, I am sure it will be nice when finished.