Painting not new plaster

[Coniferman]

Have read a hundred posts but want to get it right. Room previously had a combination of wallpaper and paint. I've taken it back to the plaster which is generally in good condition. A small number of hairline cracks and probably a hundred (!!!) holes from a dado rail which have been fixed/filled. I'm taking my time getting the plaster as good as I can.

Previously some of the paint had flaked in small areas and/or crazy paved, so I want to make sure I get it right this time. I did have a problem with small damp spots on one wall, the (external) cause is now fixed. The spots have now almost completely dried and gone, there is no effervescent of whatever the word in. The plaster is just ever so slightly darker where a couple of spots were. I'm assuming this does not need any treatment.

So, do I just want to use a thinned down "mist coat" using ANY emulsion paint or do I want to buy a primer? I was going to use Dulux matt brilliant white but read to use anything but that! Is this "mist coat" really needed or is that just for new plaster.

The final colour will be white or something close to white.

If I go for a "trade" paint, in what ways is this supposed to be easier??? I understand it is worth paying more for due to better coverage?

Any other tips, such as how to ensure the filed dado rail holes won't show, other than sand, sand, sand??? (some holes grew a little as I drilled out rawl plugs)

oh and please don't say lining paper.

 

[blightymam]

Heya

Mist coat is for bare plaster, rather than new if you know what I mean. So if your plaster is bare, then yes, please do mist coat.
You can use any matt paint as a mist coat, so if you've matt hanging around, by all means use that. Make sure the plaster has dried completely before painting to be on the safe side.

Just sanding that filler is the best and only way to make sure nothing shows - and lastly, trade paint covers better but it's up to you really! Easier on in the sense that 2 coats of trade will do the job, but sometimes some of the off the shelf paints may need 3 coats. So easier on your time?

Have fun