Advice on painting plasterboard walls?

Lo-Lo

Hi everyone,
This is probably a really stupid question, but we are just about to decorate our spare room for the first time. We've stripped the wallpaper and are down to the plaster, however in a couple of areas the white paint layer on top of the bare plasterboard has flaked off.

We're assuming that we need a layer of primer there to prevent further flaking, but we don't know if this will leave us with a flat finish once we paint the emulsion over the top? And is a simple multipurpose primer like this what we want to use?- http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0158981

As I say this is probably the most obvious and silly question to a seasoned professional but don't want to mess up my nice first time buy house!!!! One day I will achieve a perfect paint finish!!! :rotfl:

Thanks everyone!!

Mr_Warren_2

Try to sand the walls with a medium sandpaper. all loose paint will come off. Then apply a couple coats of a good emulsion and you should be fine.

phill99

The resason the paint has come off is that the original decorator did not seal the walls properly. To make sure they are sealed, "Miss coat" thye flaked off areas with a 50/50 mix of water and vinyl matt emulsion (Not Silk) or a 50/50 mix of PVA Glue to water. This when applied will ensure thawalls are correctly sealed. However, where the paint has come off needs to be lightly filled with a fine filler (eg Easifill or Tetron) and sanded. If not, you will still see a patch when you apply your final coat.

Lo-Lo

Thanks guys, we'll give this a go this weekend!

aliasojo

As far as I am aware (and I'm no expert...I just ask loads of questions to loads of tradesmen, lol)...mist coats are better done with matt paint, NOT vinyl matt paint. Vinyl anything should be avoided as a first mist coat.

(Before I found that out, I used vinyl matt as a mist coat and when the next coats were applied, the vinyl coat started bubbling and then peeling. I've avoided using it as a first coat ever since)

As said above, the areas where the paint has alreadly come off will need filled otherwise they will show, even after a couple of coats of emulsion.

jason_s_2

Gracie's a good person to ask.

Lo-Lo

Who's Gracie? An MSEr?

jason_s_2

Misgrace, she's a painter n decorator.Usually spot on with what she says.

misgrace

Did I hear my name mentioned?????

Hi there Lo-Lo, firstly, are you sure its plasterboard?and not just plaster walls?

If its plasterboard, it will tear/rip as you trying to strip the paper underneath, and you will be left with jagged/rough peeled bits of cardboardy paper.

Let me know exactly what it is, and if your going to hang finish paper, or just paint.

You could line the walls, but you would still have to do some prep, but if hanging Lining paper is too much for you, and you just want to paint, then I can tell you what to do.

Dont go out and buy that product yet, infact dont buy any primer/sealer etc yet, let me know exactly what it is and what your trying to do, and I will be able to advise you better.

I wont be able to get back to you till tomorrow, as on way out, but I will definately get back to you.:D

Lo-Lo

Thanks Misgrace, apologies for not posting earlier, I've not really been online this weekend (luckily i've not been in attempting to decorate either!).

Of course I would never go on MSE whilst in the office, but seeing that I accidentally have I have asked my DH for his opinion on your points. He says:

It is plasterboard but there was paint under the wallpaper so luckily the board is still mostley fine, only a few dents and scraper scratches. some of the paint behind the wallpaper has come off with the paper and other parts the paint is "loose?" - and crumbles off easily.
He's read that he shouldn't try and get the rest of paint off the wall in case he damages more plaster board. Ultimately we want to have a paint finish on the walls, we won't be papering.

Thanks for your help,
L