painting on new plaster question

Sharra

Hi
I'd be really grateful if anyone can help me.
We've just had our artex plastered over. How long do we need to leave it before painting it? I've seen suggestions online varying from a few days to 4 weeks.
Also I have bought PVA to seal it - what diultion do I need to use?
Thirdly - if i seal with PVA, do I still need to dilute the first coat of paint?
Thanks

Doozergirl

You should't use PVA. Just heavily water down the first coat. The aim to save the first coat getting soaked up by the plaster. While PVA does that job, waterbased paint may not adhere properly because there is a waterproof barrier between paint and plaster.

We had a ceiling reskimmed last week too (don't you just HATE artex!) don't think 4 days would have been enough as mine was still clearly patchy after 4 days. It does take a long time to dry out properly. I want to be sure that it's dried right through as well, not just the surface. I'm leaving it another good couple of weeks. After all, it's better to wait and be sure than have the stuff coming off on your roller!

swake

You should try and wait as long as possible. But as long as there is adequate airflow/ventilation i cant see why it shouldnt be dry after 3-4 days.

I personally would give the ceiling a mist coat first. If your using emulsion just mix it 50/50 with water. then apply as many or little coats as needed.

Hope that helps.

woodbutcher_2

In theory,you can paint it before it has dried out,they do it all the time on these tv makeover shows but i wouldn't do that personally.To me,when it looks dry it's paintable.That is to say when all the visible wet patches have gone.

nickj_2

do not on any account use pva , emulsion paints will not stick to it .
thinned matt emulsion will do the trick ,

jason_s_2

The paint they use on the diy programmes is a breathable paint the costs an absolute fortune.

madeane

DO NOT USE THINNED PAINT IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, it will only sit on the new plaster and eventually peel off! Use plaster or artex sealer (Blue Hawk do a good one if you can get hold of it) Follow the instructions and you will get a good finish. As for drying out, wait until the plaster has an even, light pink finish, approximately 2-3 days.

SUPERJULES

My husband is a decorator and used PVA on a quite large plastered wall once visibly well dried, but lined it before painting, to give a better finish.

misgrace

madeane wrote: »

DO NOT USE THINNED PAINT IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, it will only sit on the new plaster and eventually peel off!

If your using contract matt, (non vinyl) you wont have any problems, as long as ou thin the first coat down (mistcoat) by between 30-50%, if you silk or PVA on new plaster, thats when you will get problems.

Doozergirl

SUPERJULES wrote: »

My husband is a decorator and used PVA on a quite large plastered wall once visibly well dried, but lined it before painting, to give a better finish.

He put lining paper on a freshly plastered wall to make it look better?

phill99

Misgrace is right. Use a thinned down vinyl matt emulsion as your mistcoat. This will seal the plaster and enable subsequent coats to adhere. PVA is also an option. Again thinned out. Some decorators use the mistcoat and some use PVA. There are no hard and fast rules. The mist coat is a cheaper option. You should only paint once the plaster has gone completely light pink and there are no obvious damp spots. I allow between 5 and 7 days for it to dry.