Hi,

I just searched this forum for skim related answers, but can't quite
find what I'm looking for.

I've had two walls skimmed by my local plasterer and just waiting for
them to dry. He used the British Gypsum Mutti-Finish Thistle stuff
(http://www.british-gypsum.com/immediacy-899) and recommended I don't
touch it for 7 days.

I wanted to know what I should apply before I start painting. He
recommened I apply diluted white paint as it works the same as (and is
cheaper than) the primer/sealer stuff.

However, some of the older members of the family are suggesting I
should use watered down PVA. In their opinion, using paint will start
cause the paint to flake in 2-5 years time.

Could someone please tell me what is the best product to use ?

I don't mind buying Primer / Sealer stuff, but would like to get your
opinion on what's best to use.

Many Thanks

DarkKnight wrote:

I wanted to know what I should apply before I start painting. He
recommened I apply diluted white paint as it works the same as (and is
cheaper than) the primer/sealer stuff.
[...]
Could someone please tell me what is the best product to use ?

If your final finish is to be ordinary emulsion paint then well-thinned
white matt emulsion makes a perfectly good base coat (known in the
decorating trade as a mist coat (or **** coat)). The paint
manufacturers usually recommend thinning by about 20% for this, but see
the instructions on the tin. Allow to dry, then and apply two coats of
the chosen finish. "Mist and two" they call it.

--
Andy

DarkKnight wrote:

I wanted to know what I should apply before I start painting. He
recommened I apply diluted white paint as it works the same as (and is
cheaper than) the primer/sealer stuff.

However, some of the older members of the family are suggesting I
should use watered down PVA. In their opinion, using paint will start
cause the paint to flake in 2-5 years time.

No for chrissakes don't use PVA or you'll find the paint flakes off a
damned sight faster than 2-5 years (ie, it will do so as soon as it's
dry!) See http://tinyurl.com/q5dy4 (or
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk.d-i-y/browse_frm/thread/18b0fc99c9e6fc78/834ce0e23f8e8113?hl=en#834ce0e23f8e8113
for my own experience and others...)

Dilute emulsion is definitely the way to go.

David

However, some of the older members of the family are suggesting I
should use watered down PVA. In their opinion, using paint will start
cause the paint to flake in 2-5 years time.

White paint IS watered down PVA, but with some white bits added. It is safer
to use diluted emulsion, as it is easy to cause a disaster with PVA by not
watering down enough.

Could someone please tell me what is the best product to use ?

I use Dulux Trade Supermatt. Available in any colour and specifically
formulated for new plaster so that it can breathe. You can paint a lot
sooner than 7 days afterwards with no cracking at all. Don't use standard
Vinyl Silk/Matt on new plaster, as it can craze.

Do the first coat 30% watered down. If you are doing the ceiling as well, do
the first coat in white all over, then paint the ceiling, then the walls.
This avoids drips and gets the job done quickly.

If you are just painting the walls, just use the final colour from the off.

Christian.

Thanks for the responses folks!

Think it'll be thinned down emulsion then.

Just to confirm... when people say 20% waterdown, do they mean 4 parts
water to 1 part paint, or vice-versa ?


Cheers.

"DarkKnight" wrote in message
ps.com...
Thanks for the responses folks!

Think it'll be thinned down emulsion then.

Just to confirm... when people say 20% waterdown, do they mean 4 parts
water to 1 part paint, or vice-versa ?


Well you start with the paint and water that down by 20% so, no, its 4 parts
paint to one of water.


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)

Dulux make a paint specially for painting on plaster that is not dry-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/wh...ew_plaster.htm

DarkKnight wrote:

However, some of the older members of the family are suggesting I
should use watered down PVA. In their opinion, using paint will
start cause the paint to flake in 2-5 years time.

I'm a diluted PVA fan, but a well-diluted paint should work perfectly well
too. Main thing is to apply several nice wet coats so that it sinks deep
into the plaster. This prevents any flaking later.

weekendwarrior wrote:
Andy Wade Wrote:
DarkKnight wrote:

I wanted to know what I should apply before I start painting. He
recommened I apply diluted white paint as it works the same as (and
is
cheaper than) the primer/sealer stuff.
[...]
Could someone please tell me what is the best product to use ?

If your final finish is to be ordinary emulsion paint then
well-thinned
white matt emulsion makes a perfectly good base coat (known in the
decorating trade as a mist coat (or **** coat)). The paint
manufacturers usually recommend thinning by about 20% for this, but
see
the instructions on the tin. Allow to dry, then and apply two coats
of
the chosen finish. "Mist and two" they call it.

--
Andy

Dulux make a paint specially for painting on plaster that is not dry-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/wh...ew_plaster.htm


In the old days we called it 'distemper' and all new plasterwork got it...

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
weekendwarrior wrote:
Dulux make a paint specially for painting on plaster that is not dry-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/wh...ew_plaster.htm

In the old days we called it 'distemper' and all new plasterwork got it...

Dulux Supermatt is nothing like distemper. Distemper is a PITA.

Chris Bacon wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
weekendwarrior wrote:
Dulux make a paint specially for painting on plaster that is not dry-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/wh...ew_plaster.htm

In the old days we called it 'distemper' and all new plasterwork got
it...

Dulux Supermatt is nothing like distemper. Distemper is a PITA.

I forgot to add the smiley ;-)

Use a matt emulsion. Thats probably what the Dulux is anyway.