Bare Plaster

[Neil Duffy]

Hi,

Just about to start decorating my front room which was plastered throughout over a month ago.

As I understand it, the bare plaster needs priming.

I've read about using watered down emulsion, pva mix and i've also seen a substance designed for this in wickes.

Which one is the preferred method?

Thanks

Neil

[Broadback]

PVA has been good for me.

[Lobster]

Yes it does; watered-down emulsion is fine, and I expect the Wickes stuff is little more than this. But for heaven's sake don't use PVA; it will seal the plaster and prevent the paint from adhering properly (as I know to my cost!)

David

[John Rumm]

I would go with the watered down emulsion...

(the watered down bit seems the most significant part with PVA or emulsion - you want something that soaks in. If you put the first coat on too "rich" there is the danger you just coat the surface without getting any real adhesion to the surface - you may then have real problems getting a decent finish without further coats just bubbling / peeling off!)

[AlexW]

We used a slurry coat of 1:1 water:emulsion IIRC for our entire house ... it looks fine.

HTH,

Alex.