On 12/29/2015 3:59 PM, Eagle wrote:
Oren was thinking very hard :
On Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:40:30 -0800, "Eagle"
wrote:

Question: is there a preferrable primer to use? Or ones to avoid?
Thanks

Try scraping off the paint and use a stone or metal wall scraper to get the
old paint off, then use driwall topping compound and a trowel to smooth the
wall.

The question is about paint primers. Don't let facts interfere.

I don't believe in painting over primed plaster. After 30+ years as a
plasterer,

Frenchman?

I avoid priming plaster walls, both interior and exterior. A bit of
work and you avoid old paint lifting after priming.

I'd like to learn how to do "smooth" -- folks here won't touch it;
always opting for aggressive textures (to hide their sins!). Any
pointers besides "practice, practice, practice" (joint taping)?

We're also debating ceiling treatment. Popcorn had to go -- nasty
and dirt magnet. Not particularly fond of the various "knockdown"
textures as they are common on most walls, here. Grew up with
brush swirl but I'm not sure even that would fare well, here.

Might opt for something like a slapbrush as it would be a bit more
forgiving without being as "noisey" as the knockdowns.