Painting freshly skimmed walls/ceilings

[edenbridge]

It's an old topic, I know, but I don't want to hijack anybody else's threads.

I've recently had my whole house re-skimmed. Many of the outside walls and all the ceilings have been boarded prior to plastering.

Once dry, our builder/plasterer has recommended to lightly run a dry cloth over the walls to knock off all the water splashes, and then apply a 50:50 mix of cheap emulsion/water. This seems at odds with some of the advice I've been reading elsewhere:

- It seems the general recommendation is to use watered-down Dulux Trade Matt instead of a cheapo B&Q/Homebase emulsion.
- To water-down the first coat by only 20-25%, and not 50%
- Up to three 'primer' coats may be necessary, not one.
- Wiping down the walls before painting may lead to scratching (?).

Your thoughts and advice on this are appreciated.

 

[joe-90]

It's not that critical really.

 

[Zampa]

- It seems the general recommendation is to use watered-down Dulux Trade Matt instead of a cheapo B&Q/Homebase emulsion.

They can be better value, but its easy for us in the trade to say that, we get a discount...if your going to end up paying 30+ quid for a 10 litre tub of supermatt you might be better off buying the B and Q stuff.

- To water-down the first coat by only 20-25%, and not 50%

This is going to depend on the brand you buy, some stuff is thicker than others, osme manufacturers give their paints a false body, a paint you might think is think may turn very thin once stirred, id suggest starting at about 20% and increasing the water until it feels right.

Up to three 'primer' coats may be necessary, not one

.

No.........One 'primer' (mist coat) then fill any irregularities..rub the whole wall down with 100 grade abrasive paper, then re paint twice using the emusion thinned by aobut 15-20%

- Wiping down the walls before painting may lead to scratching (?).

No thats good advice, it will remove any plaster slurry, use a scraper too..but not abrasive paper.

If the walls are deep plaster youll need to use contract matt to allow them to breath whie the plaster is drying out..if its just a skim then any vinyl or non vinyl emulsion will do ya.

 

[edenbridge]

Thanks for that.

There's only deep plaster in a couple of areas, and they're finally starting to dry out nicely.

We'll be painting the dry areas first, ultimately with a silk emulsion.
I take it from your comments it doesn't matter if the base coats are silk or matt?
And I trust there's no difference for kitchens or bathrooms?

Thanks again.

 

[Zampa]

Sorry I should have made that part clearer...DONT use silk for your base/mist/primer coat...stick to matt its easier to rub down and fill over.

Id also suggest matt on new plaster walls..silk will show up every deviation.