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Help! Didnt seal plaster before we painted

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Not sure if anyone can give us some advice on this.

We have just had the nursery replastered and left the plaster for just over 2 weeks to dry.

As novice DIYers we had no idea that you are meant to seal the plaster first so painted directly onto it with B and Q Colours matt emulsion. It currently has 2 layers on and will need a third to fully cover it.

However, when i taped the wall with masking tape it peeled off the paint when removed. The paint was dry (has left it 48 hours) and after looking on here I think its because it didnt bond to the plaster.:mad:

Am now not sure what to do in order to fix the problem. So far we havent had any bubbling or peeling but theres still another layer to go so that may well occur after that.

Can I buy the sealer now and paint it over the 2 x layers of emulsion? I have seen there is a lot of debate about PVA vs diluted emulsion.

we spent a lot of money getting the room done ready for our new baby and really wanted to do a good job and am now worried we have created a huge problem!

Thanks in advance for any advice!
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Comments

  • BatCat
    BatCat Posts: 474 Forumite
    Hi Ellie,
    I think you should be fine.
    Please note I'm not a painter decorater but we've had quite a few renovations/new plastering/skimming done in the past 5 years or so and have never sealed the plaster (horror shock!!) with no real issues other than the paint occasionally coming away slightly on masking tape if the masking tape is left on too long. From what i understand it people tend to seal the fresh plaster so it doesn't suck the paint up like a sponge and then you spend extra on paint. Important if you're using Farrow and Ball, probably not such a big deal if you're using B&Q paints.
    Cheers,
    BatCat
  • spadoosh
    spadoosh Posts: 8,732 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Work in diy retail and normally tell customers to paint fresh plaster with a few coats of cheap white matt emulsion as most of it is absorbed by the plaster and not much point in putting expensive (coloured) paint on it to soak it all up. This is probably why you will will need 3 coats. The paint should be fine always a good idea to seal it but the stuff in shops just works out massively expensive. Next time use a pva/water mix, then undercoat with cheap matt emulsion and then topcoat with colour of choice, it seals and its cheaper!
  • spadoosh wrote: »
    Work in diy retail and normally tell customers to paint fresh plaster with a few coats of cheap white matt emulsion as most of it is absorbed by the plaster and not much point in putting expensive (coloured) paint on it to soak it all up. This is probably why you will will need 3 coats. The paint should be fine always a good idea to seal it but the stuff in shops just works out massively expensive. Next time use a pva/water mix, then undercoat with cheap matt emulsion and then topcoat with colour of choice, it seals and its cheaper!

    What the above said, except never use a pva mix on fresh plaster as all you are doing is sealing the remaining moisture in the plaster and you will get problems from that in the long run
  • Gloomendoom
    Gloomendoom Posts: 16,551 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I don't think the baby will notice... however bad it is.

    BTW I always rub my thumb down masking tape before I apply it. It takes some of the tackyness off of it and makes it a lot less stressful to remove.
  • ellie1379
    ellie1379 Posts: 37 Forumite
    thank you for all your replies and advice!

    so as long as i am careful with the masking tape i shouldnt have any problems with the paint coming off in the future?

    i have just had another look and there is one very small area of peeling but thats it.

    I suppose my main concern is that the peeling could get worse once I have put the 3rd and final coat on and then i have given myself extra work if I have to strip back to the plaster again to seal it.

    thanks again
  • 27col
    27col Posts: 6,554 Forumite
    When I built our house 34 years ago I seem to remember that we just got on and painted the walls. No question of mist coats or sealing the surfaces. I expect the first coat was watered down a bit. We have never had any problems with the paint doing anything other than sitting on the surface as it is supposed to.
    I can afford anything that I want.
    Just so long as I don't want much.
  • WhiteHorse
    WhiteHorse Posts: 2,492 Forumite
    New plaster shouldn't need sealing at all. What you should do is put on a couple of coats of watered emulsion (this is called a 'mist coat'). This soaks right in, bonds and seals. Further normal coats will cling to this nicely.

    If you put paint straight on from the tin, it's too thick and dries quickly on the surface, rather than sinking in. Thus, it forms a layer that can peel off.
    "Never underestimate the mindless force of a government bureaucracy
    seeking to expand its power, dominion and budget"
    Jay Stanley, American Civil Liberties Union.
  • daveyjp
    daveyjp Posts: 13,523 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sealing is only really necessary if you are going to wallpaper straight onto the new plaster. Using an emulsion wash or PVA as a first coat is cheaper than the more coats of the final emulsion, so this method is often used on new plaster.
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    edited 14 June 2011 at 9:32PM
    daveyjp wrote: »
    Sealing is only really necessary if you are going to wallpaper straight onto the new plaster. Using an emulsion wash or PVA as a first coat is cheaper than the more coats of the final emulsion, so this method is often used on new plaster.
    But most people here - me included - are dead agin PVA.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • misgrace
    misgrace Posts: 1,486 Forumite
    spadoosh wrote: »
    Next time use a pva/water mix,

    Everything else you said is okay, but the above is rubbish advice, never use PVA even diluted on new bare plaster :eek:
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