Craig & Rose Technical Factsheet
Painting internal plaster walls
Painted walls can normally be repainted quickly and easily with Craig & Rose Matt, Satin or Eggshell finishes. This is one of the easiest yet potentially dramatic ways to transform a wall or room. This Factsheet tells you how best to make a start and gives some tips on how to avoid common pitfalls. As always in decorating, time invested in preparation is well rewarded.
Previously painted walls
First, always ensure that the surface is clean, dry and free from grease. This is essential to ensure that the paint sticks properly and helps to prevent grease or dirt from bleeding through and spoiling the finish. Remove any old loose or flaking material and rub down to provide a robust paint-bearing surface.
Tip: If a shiny surface - such as vinyl silk - is to be painted with a matt finish, rub down gently with light sandpaper. This will help prevent cracks appearing when the new paint dries. If you are in any doubt, test a small area first.
New or bare plaster
These must be thoroughly dry before painting. New plaster may take six weeks or more to dry out thoroughly. Check with your builder for the likely drying time. If the plaster is a skimmed coat over plasterboard, it should be dry within two weeks.
New plaster should be painted with a thinned coat of your chosen paint. Craig & Rose Matt, Satin or Eggshell should be diluted with between 10-15% clean tap water. This is done because the new plaster is very absorbent and will prevent a normal coat of paint from drying properly; sometimes this can cause cracks to appear. The thinned-down coat prepares the surface perfectly for the subsequent coats.
Tip: Never use an oil-based plaster primer if you intend to apply emulsion paint on top. This can cause an adverse reaction that will show up later. Special surface primers for stain blocking or basecoats for crack disguising should only be used when really necessary - new or good surfaces should not require these specialist preparations. Two thin coats are always better than one thick coat!
Wallpapered walls
Most wallpapers can be painted over successfully but you must take care with shiny vinyl wallpapers. These can usually be sanded down and painted. However some shiny vinyl wallpapers may remain too 'slippy' for paint to get a grip and stripping is often the best option.
Tip: If in doubt, test in an inconspicuous area first. Leave overnight then examine for signs of peeling or cracking.
Traditional or lime plaster
This is often made to very old recipes using a variety of materials depending on local availability. Some traditional plasters can take as long as six months to dry out fully and, if painted too early, the paint may be 'pushed off' by the salts within the plaster rising to the surface as the plaster dries.
Tip: Traditional plaster should only be used in historic properties where regulation or age of the property requires that traditional products be used.
We hope you find this Factsheet useful. If you would like to ask Craig & Rose any specific questions on paint, please phone us on 0870-6001829 or email admin@craigandrose.com.