Plastering advice pls

louisehj

Hi, I am having some walls plastered tomorow including walls around my windows. I want to get my curtain poles back up asap, any idea how long before its ok to paint and drill in? I know it needs sealing before I paint it but thats about it lol! Thanks!

ormus

depends on the thickness of the plaster. but as long as possible. at least a 5 days/week usually.

louisehj

Where I want to drill into is just skimming.

brownbake

As long as possible really at least 3 days for a skim - wait until it has turned to a uniform colour but it may still be wet on the inside. You will aslso have to put at least 2 mist coats of paint on it - watered down - before you start painting on top.

The best thing for quite and decent paint coverage I was advised, and worked a charm was a Wickes Paint pad. So quick and easy.

But you have to put the mist coats on and this is a bit of a pain. You cannot just paint onto plaster - you will be wasting your time.

Mark123_2

If it's just being boarded and skimmed, the plaster should be dry within a week or two. You'll be able to tell once the plaster has lost it's pinky tones. To "seal" the plaster just get some cheap white emulsion paint, water it down as recommended on the tin and paint.

If the wall is otherwise sound and suitably prepared and is only being skimmed (not boarded as well) the above still applies but the drying time may be longer if the plaster has been applied a bit thicker, ie if it's covering areas of imperfections.

Re drilling into it I'd say go with the same timescales.

louisehj

We had one wall plastered 2 yrs ago and I remember hubby bought something to seal it, looked like a clear liquid but we can't remember what it was.

Mark123_2

There are proprietary products that are "designed to seal" the plaster.

Save your money! Buy a tin of cheap white emulsion, ie water based, water it down according to the instructions (some will even give a watering down recommendation specifically for new plaster) and paint. One coat should be sufficient but you can give it two if you really want to and have some paint left over. Then simply paint with whatever colour you choose.

louisehj

Many thanks everyone!