In this article we are going to take a look at correctly painting (emulsion) your freshly plastered wall or ceiling.
Ok, so you've spent a reasonable amount of money and had your rooms plastered, or you may have even had a go yourself (Well done) but I find that many people haven't the right information concerning how to paint the finished work, your plasterer should discuss with you on how to correctly paint the finished wall or ceiling once it is dry, but here's a little reminder anyway.
1: Make sure that the freshly plastered wall or ceiling has completely dried out; you should be able to tell when this is because the whole of the plastered surface will become one colour, with no dark areas.
2: Once completely dried, get yourself some basic MATT Emulsion paint, it doesn't matter if it is of a thin' consistency (in fact, all the better.) Now, if you find that your emulsion is of a very thick consistency, it needs to be watered down first (so that the first (watered down) coat, once applied, sinks into the plaster.) To mix the emulsion & water:- Pour half of the emulsion into a roller bucket (A large square bucket) & mix in with this, about fifty percent water, mix it well together, now the consistency of the mixed MATT emulsion should resemble thick water.'
3: Use a sheep skin (or synthetic) paint roller, & roll the head of this over the surface of the mixed emulsion (taking care not to completely saturate the whole of the roller head) then commence to roll out the emulsion covered roller head over the inside of the roller bucket (to even out the paint)
4: Now, starting from the top of the wall (Or one corner of the ceiling) apply the roller head to the surface & gently roll the paint on (up & down, back & forth) until the emulsion is spent onto the surface.
You will notice that there will be roller edge marks (resembling lines of emulsion) you must use your roller and gently roll over these so that the lines dissipative. Continue this rolling' method until you completely cover the whole ceiling or wall.
5: Using a quality paintbrush, cut in around all of the edges, trying to blend it into the existing emulsion.
You will be then left with a patchy' painted surface, this is normal, because the first coat of watered down emulsion that you have just applied to your surface acts as a sealer, ready to take the next coats of emulsion once this has dried. This sealer (or mist coat) keys into the plastered surface, and is vital for your trouble free painting project. Let this completely dry out before continuing with any other coats of Vinyl Silk, Vinyl Matt, or just plain Matt Emulsion Paint:
6: But, before you continue painting any further, get out your scraper, & check over the dried, & painted wall or ceiling that you have painted, what you're looking for is any splashes of plaster that may have stuck onto the finished surface (once you have given the surface the first coat of paint you should be able to see any discrepancies, sort these out first before continuing)
Here are just a few pointers: Don't be tempted to use a thick consistency emulsion' for the first coat, you may just be successful (without it peeling off once dried) but wet it down first to be on the safe side: Never apply Vinyl Silk emulsion straight onto a new plastered wall or ceiling (A surety that this will definitely peel off once dried because this coat of paint sits on top of the surface, instead of sinking into the surface to create a key) Never put oil based paint directly onto a new plastered surface.
Always make sure that your paint roller, your roller head, your paint brush, & your emulsion is clean (Nothing looks worse than little bits' stuck to your finished, painted surface.
Thank you for reading this article, I hope that it will help you in your quest to correctly paint your freshly plastered surface: http://www.lookreadlearn.com Dale Ovenstone 2008
Dale Ovenstone is self taught & has been self employed for over 25 years in the art of Texturing/Artexing, Coving/Cornice work, Plastering, Preparing Interior Surfaces prior to re-decoration, Repairing & Matching in Texture Designs & Patterns besides training individuals on a one to one & group basis in all of the above.
Knowing & understanding the needs of his customers this has encouraged him to create & write his unique range of step by step training 'DIY' books & guides which are attractively priced and available for download
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