Is my plaster already 'sealed' and ready for painting?

[AndyyAndyy]

Hello,

I have just removed the wallpaper from my loft and decided it would be alot easier to paint directly onto the plaster instead of using lining paper

The plaster is in good condition (10 years old) and i have sanded it all down and filled in holes etc..

Basically, is the plaster already 'sealed' and ready for a couple coats of emulsion? And will it cover the tiny imperfections (tiny holes, scratches) also?

Thanks! Andy.

 

[54aardvark]

Hi AA and welcome.

Firstly ensure that you have removed all the wallpaper paste or you'll have probs with your emulsion. Give it a wash down and use a scraper to remove any remaining paste.

You can't assume that the plaster is sealed, I would suggest giving it a mist coat first to be sure - 40% water to a non-vinyl emulsion then dilute your next coat by about 20% then a couple of coats of whatever you want to finish off with. I'd use a contract matt for the first two coats (cheap and non-vinyl) - no point using the expensive stuff where it won't be seen!

Some small dinks and scratches may well get covered with emulsion, but don't bank on it, fill the obvious probs first and then check again after your mist coat and fill/sand till you're happy.

 

[AndyyAndyy]

Thanks for the advice.

Two more coats than i had hoped for though! Ah well, id better get to it then and let you know how it goes - although i am pretty methodical with regard to getting the job done!