Applying emulsion to unpainted plastered internal wall

[Possom]

Once an internal wall has been plastered and has been allowed a number of months to thoroughly dry, is there anything which should be done to the wall before applying matt emulsion?

I have heard of some applying a thinned down coat first, but I don't know if this is a necessary/correct thing to do, or why it's done, or to what extent the emulsion was thinned.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[CJRatch]

You definetly want to apply watered down emulsion on the first coat. Anything around 30/70 water to emulsion is fine.

This is done because the plaster on the first coat of paint absorbs more moisture.

You don't need to do anything else unless there's a few blemishes in the plaster finish. In which case a quick run down or fill and rub along with a clean off and away you go.

 

[Possom]

Thanks ver much CJRatch - much appreciated!

 

[opps]

30/70 is not a hard and fast rule.

Dulux Trade emulsion is normally 10/90 (water to paint).

Follow the recommendations on the back of the tin.

If you do not thin the paint the moisture from the first coat gets sucked into the wall and the paint doesn't cure properly. Often when the second coat is applied the roller starts to pull the first coat back off.