Basecoat Advice

sobeitjedi

Hi.

Just stripped wallpaper off a large room and underneath, there was a thin layer of paint. In some areas, where the wallpaper has come off, it's taken off this thin layer of paint. So some areas have this layer of paint, others just have the plaster. The paint does scrape off but the room is large so it would take ages. So ....

I intend to paint this room but I think to cover the imperfections on the walls (the different levels of paintwork underneath, nail holes, a hairline crack or two) I will need a basecoat.

I've seen this Polycell Basecoat: http://www.polycell.co.uk/products/polycell_3_in_1_basecoat.jsp

Is it any good? It's quite pricey though. Are the B&Q / Wilkinsons own brand versions as good?

B&Q: http://www.diy.com/nav/decor/paint/preparation-undercoats/preparation___undercoats/B-and-Q-Basecoat-White-5L-11517626

Wilko: http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/decorating-preparation-products/wilko-basecoat-pure-brilliant-white-5ltr/invt/0240196/

Or is there a better product out there?

phill99

On the bare plaster paint on white matt vinyl emulsion thinned out by 50%. Fill the holes and cracks with a 'polyfiller' type product and sand it smooth when it's dry. At the edges of the existing paint, sand it smooth so there is no visible distinction between the painted and non painted areas.

Then just paint as normal. This will be a lot cheaper than any kind of base coat. And remember, the professionals don't use such products.

nickj_2

i personally would get the walls lined , it sounds as if they did not have a mist coat in the 1st place , if you are not carefull just filling can leave it looking like the dogs dinner