Painting newly skimmed walls

Posted by Diane Rimmer, on Fri 06 Dec 2013 07:11pm

I have recently had several rooms newly skimmed which I intend to paint. However have received conflicting advice as to whether should use "watered down" pva prior to painting as it will prevent the paint cracking. Advice please : "to pva or not to pva that is the question".

Rhys John Bottriell

Sat 07 Dec 2013 09:08am

Hi Diane, Do not use PVA prior to painting as this will create a seal between paint and plaster and will only make the paint peel. The steps to follow would be to water down some white paint and use this as a base coat on the newly plastered walls. Wait for this to dry and then you can go over the base coat with your desired colour/paint with 2-3 coats as you would normally. If you do not feel competent to use watered down paint you can also go to B&Q where they sell off the shelf plaster paint which will be the base coat and no watering down will be required. However this option may be a bit more expensive. Hope all this helps RJB Construction Quality, Honest & Reliable Building work Specialist in Plastering and Decorating.

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Neil Clark

Sat 07 Dec 2013 06:44pm

DO PVA the new wall best regards Neil

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Andrew Smith

Sat 07 Dec 2013 03:44pm

Hi Diane, i fully agree with Rhys, you should not apply P.V.A as it will create a barrier for the paint, you actually want the opposite to happen ie, the thinned base coat(white matt emulsion) to penetrate the new plaster, and then your desired colour and finish. A.L.SMITH DECORATING SERVICES. EST 1980

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Michael Emery

Mon 30 Dec 2013 10:33am

I use a mixture of pva/emulsion for miss coat before applying to further coats of a good quality vinyl matt emulsion, alternatively Wickes do a very good new plaster paint. Do not put silk paint directly on to new plaster Mick Emery Emery Painters Decorators

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Tony Michael

Tue 10 Dec 2013 06:42pm

hi diane,wickes do the best paint for fresh plaster for a miss coat and then two coats of chosen colour is the way to go.i have been usin it for years and definitely the best stuff.

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Michael Day

Mon 09 Dec 2013 09:07am

hi Diane, Don,t PVA walls as this will seal the new plaster use a 50/50 mix of emulsion and water this will soak into the new plaster and then finish with normal emulsion. Mike

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Paul Collins

Tue 10 Dec 2013 06:03pm

50/50 emulsion definitely, and don't leave it too long. Dry plaster will start absorbing moisture if it's left un sealed.

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Brian Joseph Lenehan

Tue 10 Dec 2013 01:56pm

Hello... I would think that the skim has had pva added when applied so you would not have to use it. The first coat of emulsion should watered down by about a third then two subsequent coats applied to achieve a super finish. Thank you B J Lenehan

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Marek Kluk

Sat 07 Dec 2013 06:38pm

Hi Diane, Mix first coat 50/50 with water, then you put 2 coats of good quality paint Forrest Fox

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Michael Tucker

Sat 07 Dec 2013 05:24pm

Hello Diane, Fist coat mix with water half and half this will then be soaked into the new plaster, then continue with 2 coats of your desired paint. Regards Michael

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sean jefferies

Sat 07 Dec 2013 04:30pm

hi diana use watered down paint 50/50 mix and apply 2no coats to secure a long lasting seal to the new plaster then apply a neat coat and another if needed. thanks sean

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