New plaster - how long before painting?

bpk101

Currently having a new bathroom installed. Walls and ceiling have just been plastered (yesterday), how long does the plaster need to dry before I can start the mist coat?

I need to move fairly quickly as I'd like to get the painting finished in areas we will no longer have access to at the end of the week when the installers have finished (behind the towel radiator and a wall to the side of a very snug fitting vanity unit).

The installers seem to think I can mist coat as early as Tuesday evening, will the plaster really be dry enough by then? The radiator I could possibly remove at a later date to paint behind but the vanity unit will be sealed in and tiled round so non-removable.

Thanks

wymondham

wait till it all turns nice and pink .... you'll see it dry...

bpk101

Okay great - next question(s)...

Diluted Contract paint for the mist coat on fresh plaster I presume? But we have one wall that has not been re-plastered or skimmed (the installers just felt it wasn't necessary)...

Current paint is a nasty yellow/green colour, and we want a nice bright white for the new bathroom. What do I use for under coats on a pre-painted wall and how should I prepare it (light sand perhaps)?

And what rollers to use for new and old walls - foam or a long haired type?

And what's the best type of paint to use for the top coat in a bathroom, we'd like to get as close to a matt White as possible.

Thanks

TheCyclingProgrammer

I'd go over the old surface with undiluted contract matt to help show up any imperfections then you fill and sand before top coating.

At this time of year you're probably looking at at least a week for the plaster skim to be dry enough to paint, maybe longer. If you use a breathable paint (non-vinyl) you can get away with painting before its fully dry but as this is a bathroom I'd imagine you'll be using a non-breathable water resistant paint like eggshell or special kitchen/bathroom paint. You don't want to use this until the plaster is fully dry or it won't adhere and it will just peel off.

If you want a matt finish in the bathroom you could consider something like a clay paint which will give you a very flat matt finish whilst being resistant to condensation and mould due to its breathability. Be warned though that whilst it will happily absorb moisture and then dry out again, it will mark easily and isn't wipeable.

DRP

we're going to use this when our skim eventually turns pink:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-trade-bare-plaster-paint-brilliant-white-10ltr/51004#product_additional_details_container


it has good reviews and is breathable etc.

27col

"SOS DIY" seem to paint the plaster only a matter of hours after it has gone on the wall.

DigForVictory

We were advised to water down our paint for an initial base layer.

About a decade later, we've still to get around to it - I envy you the deadline!

TheCyclingProgrammer

DRP wrote: »

we're going to use this when our skim eventually turns pink:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-trade-bare-plaster-paint-brilliant-white-10ltr/51004#product_additional_details_container


it has good reviews and is breathable etc.

Have used it and it is pretty decent. For more recent work I used diluted Leyland trade. The bare plaster paint was much less hassle.

bpk101

Thanks all - I've had a lot of good recommendations for Armstead contract matt and will probably go for that (diluted for plaster walls, undiluted for pre-painted walls).

Any tips on what type of rollers to use for 1. new plaster and 2. pre-painted walls?

Xeorix

bpk101 wrote: »

Thanks all - I've had a lot of good recommendations for Armstead contract matt and will probably go for that (diluted for plaster walls, undiluted for pre-painted walls).

Any tips on what type of rollers to use for 1. new plaster and 2. pre-painted walls?

Just brush on the diluted coat. The idea is for it to soak in, so as long as its watered down you won't be left with brush strokes.

For your top coats, get a decent brush, a 3-4" Harris will do for cutting in. Then just use a medium pile roller for emulsion. Personally, I quite like the ones from Wickes that fit their yellow telescopic pole.
We've done the entire house using these and the walls are as smooth as smooth can be. Throw them out after a single use though. No point in wrapping them up to use the next day as you'll end up with bits in it

TheCyclingProgrammer

I wouldn't waste time trying to brush the mist coat on. Just use a roller. Medium or even fine pile will be fine.