How to Paint New Plaster

Painting plaster can be fairly messy work, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions and suitably protect the room ahead of painting. Although it is highly unlikely that there will be any furniture in a room that has been freshly plastered, in the case that there is, be sure to remove any furniture and cover with a dust sheet to ensure maximum protection.

For those that may not be familiar, the ‘mist coat’ is a highly watered-down paint mix that can easily drip if proper care is not taken. Opt for old clothes if you’re hesitant about potential accidents with the paint and for additional protection for the clothes and eyes, wear a Seriously Good Protective Suit and a pair of Seriously Good Safety Glasses.

When it comes to painting plaster board, it’s crucial to remember that the surface is extremely sponge-like. Should you attempt to apply normal emulsion paints, they will be quickly absorbed into the wall. This common error causes you to use more paint than you necessarily need, which can be costly if you have a whole room or house to complete.

One of our easy, Harris-approved tips for painting new plaster that helps to overcome this issue is using a watered-down first layer of paint called a mist coat.This mist coat helps the plaster to absorb the paint superbly.  As a new, thin layer has been painted first, the finishing top coat is guaranteed to apply beautifully, especially if you use a Harris Ultimate Walls & Ceilings Roller Set.

Before you begin applying the mist coat, mix the paint well using an Essentials Paint Kettle or Ultimate Large Handy Hold as your container. While there is a great deal of conflicting advice on which ratio of water to paint is best for painting plaster, we advise anything from two parts water to eight parts emulsion paint, down to 50/50 to ensure success – check the manufacturer’s tin for the requirements for your specific brand and feel free to add more water if the mixture appears too thick.

Once you have your consistent water mixture, it’s time to begin to paint the room! For a detailed guide to perfecting your paintwork, read our tips on how to paint a wall. As one of the best brushes for painting on plaster; the Ultimate Flat Brush will help you achieve a flawless finish in no time at all. Taking your brush, cut in around the edges of the room and around detail areas such as the light switches. Be sure to work in 1m sections with the brush to ensure precision and then switch to an Ultimate Walls & Ceilings 4″ Mini Roller to achieve the smoothest coverage and blend the carefully brushed section into the rolled section.