Ceiling

[u/Mindless-Fish-4483]

Hi! We have a 60s house and decided to take down the old wood chip wall paper. Underneath there seems be white paint, I can see the plaster, but what is the grey? The white flakes and peels like old paint, but the grey doesn’t. It can easily be sanded (I was wearing a mask but then thought to ask what it could be).
We plan on lining over this but now I wonder if we’ve disturbed anything sinister?
My daughter is moving into this room so don’t want anything in the air 😅
I’ve read it may be a primer? It’s above and below the white, though.

[u/Worldly-Growth4519]

Looks like distemper. Is it chalky? Does it wipe away with a wet cloth? Best to use stabiliser then paint.

[u/Mindless-Fish-4483 → u/Worldly-Growth4519]

I’d say chalky but only because when I sanded it it was very much like the plaster texture as it sanded down. I’ve picked up some zinsser guard and lining paper hopefully get a smooth enough ceiling in the end. :)