Painting onto new plaster - do I need to sand walls before painting?

Hi Tom, The answer to your question really depends on the standard your plasterer has finished the walls to. Sanding down the walls with a medium grade sandpaper can ensure the surface is free from any imperfections such as splashed plaster and grit/dust and ensure a good surface for the paint to adhere to. However, if the walls are smooth to the touch and appear free from any such imperfections then you should be fine to apply your mist coat. If you do chose to sand the walls, ensure you use a medium to light grade sandpaper (such as a 120grit or above) as using too coarse of a paper may scratch and mark the walls. I hope this helps! Lee. Neil Bird & Son

NEVER RUB DOWN NEWLY PLASTERED WALLS!! before the mist coat has been applied, You’ll end up scratching the plaster surface, You always prepare surfaces between paint coats, steps to follow. 1) mist coat 2) prepare surfaces e.g fillers/sanding down 3) apply 2 coat to surfaces 4) prepare surfaces e.g fillers/sanding down 5) spot prime any filler surfaces that was done in section 4 Now surfaces should be 100% before the final coat is applied 6) apply final coat Follow these steps and any painting surfaces will be perfect Hope this will help

Hi Tom I would always scrape down newly plastered walls to take off any nibs of plaster off, making sure the areas are completely dry i would then proceed to rub down area with a medium grade sandpaper to allow the miss coat to penetrate the wall. I would normally wipe down area with a damp cloth to make sure the area is free of dust and once dry apply a 50/50 emulsion and water mixture as a miss coat to seal all new plaster, once the miss coat has dried your free to either fill walls if needed or start to apply your wall or ceiling colour. A useful hint is to put a splash of water to emulsion as it rolls on the wall better and leaves a flat finish, rather than heavy stipple. I hope this helps.

Glass finish is bad for paint adhesion and hand applied plaster will always have small imperfections FACT Ask any painter

I always give new plaster a quick "key" with a 120 grit sandpaper. Doing this creates a pourous surface for the paint. Then I mist coat at a 60/40 paint to water split. This will then show you any other imperfections that are visible in the wall. You can then rectify these before applying your 2 top coats. Hope this helps

Hi walls should never have to sanded if they have been skimmed by a professional plasterer. The wall should be smooth like glass and shiny. If you look along from a narrow angle you can see a reflection. If this isn't the case I would recommend light sanding only where needed otherwise imperfections could show up after paint is dry.

Almost always sanding required especially in corners. Use 180 grit. And Hoover as much as possible be painting

Hi tom i find the best way to know whether your plaster work is good or not is to water down your paint and give it a miss coat and then a first coat so then once you have that on your wall or ceiling you can see a lot better if you need to sand down or apply filler to your walls because if you fill or sand down before applying a coat of paint to a plaster wall you dont get the whole picture of how good the wall is and if there is any prep needed.

Hi Tom, When applying paint directly to new plastered walls it’s always good practise to lightly sand the wall with 120grit sandpaper. The main reason is to give the paint a key, especially If the plaster is shiny and super smooth the paint will not key/bond to the plaster. For your first coat of paint always water down the emulsion based paint with clean water at a ratio of 50/50. This dust coat as it’s called will show any imperfections in the plaster, these can then be sanded, dust coated and once dried, painted with at least two coats of paint. As a little tip it’s cheaper to use white as your dust coat paint as this will not affect the top coat colour I hope this helps Kind regards Martyn Dimblebee John Martyn Interior Solutions

Hi Tom, Depending on the finish as most of people said, I usually apply the first / miss coat, after that feel the wall I find it highlights it more, then give it a light 120 sandpaper rub it doesn’t need a great deal just a rub over which should relieve all grit under the surface, as sometimes you can also get (if the plastering isn’t that great) you can get the grit in the paint which will make the walls rough so a light rub for the extra smooth finish is always what I go for! Hope it goes well for you!

Hi Tom, First, use a lamp: put it on the wall parallel to it, check for imperfections; if so, then surely you have to sand before painting. By the way, there is no perfect plastering 100% :)

Remove any snots or plaster build up on edges and corner with light de nibbling Then you have a couple of options Zinseer gardz to seal plaster then on with chosen topcoat Or Tikkurila optiva primer as you miss coat Or look at data sheet of paint which might say some like like On bare plaster dilute 1st coat 20% or so But if it doesn’t say that then I would use optiva primer or zinser gardz Far superior adhesion to plaster and subsequent coats Than any cheap diluted contract matt which you can scratch of easily You want maximan adhesion and in my option cheap contract Matt diluted is Not it!

If the walls are still uneven and have alot of trowl marks in them I would firstly get the plasterers back on a snag and get them to sort it! You should never sand new plaster as it will scratch the surface once you have mist costed the wall you should always pole sand between coats. You will also sand again after the first fill and that would get any snotts or imperfections in the plaster. Hope this helps.

Hi Tom Myself I would not sand down any freshly plastered walls but you would have to look 1st to see if there was any small imperfections throughout the wall but I would just go ahead mist coat on and I would recommend using a 60 40 when preparing your paint

Hi Tom, I find it better to go on with your mist coat first (mix of paint and water). Then this helps to emphasise any defects. You can tackle them easily with a 240 grade sandpaper. That being said, a good plasterer will have left you with little to no issues of this kind and a mist coat followed by top coats should be all you need. Hope this helps! David Expert-HI

Hi Tom. It is only necessary to sand the walls if the finish of the plaster is not perfect .However if you are sanding the walls use a sanding paper that is over 120 just so you make it very smooth to the touch . After , when you are happy with the walls you have to make sure there is no dust left on the walls as it might damage the aspect .Finally you can apply the emulsion on the walls and the result will be the one you hoped for .

There are two reasons to sand a freshly plastered wall. One is to de-nib and remove any excess splashes or hight spots. This can also be done with a flat scraper as the snots should just fall off with a gentle tap. The second reason is if the plasterers have overdone their job and left a glass-like finish that paint won't adhere properly to - I met some today who were laughing that painters hate them. They think they're being cool by overworking the plaster to get this shiny finish. This needs de-glossing or keying much like gloss paint, and a swivelling attachment for a roller pole is the tool for the job. Mist/missed coat/s can then be applied.

I always sand a wall down before and between coats using different grades of sabdpaper will help to get the best result

Hi Tom, Running A flat hand hald blade over the plaster to “de nib” any uneven plaster and plaster splatter can’t hurt, You can then apply a “contract emulsion” by brush and roller this first coat once dry will show up any imperfections in the plaster which you can then address before applying finish coats.. Slight drop of water in the first coat will make coverage easier. Hope this helps Carl C.W DÉCOR

Hi Tom, sometimes a light sanding might be necessary if you can see some minor imperfections in the plastering. Opting for a light to medium grade sandpaper should prevent you from overly sanding down the surface. If you use a sandpaper that is too coarse, you may find that you end up scratching your walls. Hope this helps. Adrian

This is depends on your plasters if the walls are smooth to the touch and appear free from any such You don’t need to ! But if the walls is got scratch or lines then usaly we put a light sandpaper 120 grit Thanks!

Hi Tom you can just paint if they plater did a good job

Hi it depends on the finish the plasters have left .should just need pva sealant first then painting in the colour of your chose. Hopethos helps joe.

I would definitely rub the plaster down but making sure it’s completely dry.then I would put a miss coat off watered down emulsion to draw into plaster let it dry after afew hours apply your first coat off paint hope this has helped you.

Hi Tom the answer to your question really depends on the quality of plaster sanding down the walls with a 120 grit sandpaper can ensure that there are no imperfections on the wall and when the walls are smooth to the touch you should be ok to apply your mist coat.i hope this helps Patrick

Hi it’s all ways best to give slight rub down. As this will get any imperfections out the plaster

If you have just had your walls skimmed, it's not usually necessary to sand the walls before painting. Skimming creates a smooth surface that is ideal for painting. However, there are a few factors to consider before deciding whether or not to sand the walls: Surface Quality: Assess the quality of the skimmed surface. If the walls are already smooth and free from any bumps or imperfections, sanding may not be necessary. However, if you notice any rough patches or high spots, you can lightly sand those areas to achieve an even surface. Dust and Debris: After skimming, it's possible that some dust or debris may have settled on the walls. If you notice any visible particles or irregularities on the surface, you can use a soft cloth or a drywall sanding sponge to gently remove them. This will ensure a clean surface for painting. Primer: Applying a primer before painting is generally recommended, especially for new plaster. It helps with paint adhesion and creates a more uniform finish. Watered-down emulsion can serve as a primer, but you might consider using a dedicated primer specifically designed for new plaster. This will provide better sealing properties and enhance the durability of the paint job. Here's a general step-by-step guide for painting onto newly skimmed walls: Clean the walls: Ensure that the walls are free from dust and debris. Wipe them down with a damp cloth or use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove any loose particles. Fill any remaining imperfections: If you notice any small gaps, cracks, or nail holes, use a suitable filler or joint compound to fill them. Allow the filler to dry and sand lightly if needed. Prime the walls: Apply a coat of primer specifically designed for new plaster. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and drying times. Paint the walls: Once the primer has dried, you can proceed to paint the walls with your chosen emulsion paint. Dilute the first coat slightly with water, as this can help with absorption into the new plaster. Apply subsequent coats as needed, allowing sufficient drying time between coats. Remember to follow the specific recommendations of the paint and primer manufacturers for the best results. If you have any doubts or concerns, it's always a good idea to consult with a professional painter or decorator.

The answer to ur question is the quality of finish on the skimming. When painting onto new plaster, it's generally recommended to sand the walls lightly before painting. Sanding helps smooth out any imperfections in the plaster and provides a better surface for the paint to adhere to. Be sure to remove any dust and debris from the walls after sanding and consider using a primer before applying your paint for the best results.

Hi Tom it all depends on the type of finish left by the plasterer and also down to your preference. A good skim should allow a mist coat and then topcoat.

Hi, yes agreed with the majority of people on here. Give your fresh plaster a mist coat or two first, that way you can see anything that needs filling/sanding a lot easier then when it’s just originally plastered. Then do your prep work as stated above, paint, be sure to give it a gentle sand/rub/flick over between coats. Jobs a good’n

It shouldn’t need sanding and should wait until it’s completely dry before paint

Hi Tom, If there is any visible dust or any imperfections on the wall then sanding the walls before painting is recommended.

If the plaster is not good Definitely yes

If the walls are smooth to touch, you can apply your mist coat, if you have slight imperfections then I'd suggest to lightly sand down with a low grade sand paper.

You should never sand bare plaster as it scratches the finish. You should always put a mist coat on to bring out any defects in the wall e.g. filling and sanding. You should then apply your finishing coats following the preparation needed.

If the plaster was done at a high quality don't need sanding. If there are imperfections i recommend to sand it with 180 grid sanding paper just to dont scratch the plaster. You will need to apply contract matt paint first and then do the top coat

Most of the time you need to apply mist coat first than you need to prept surfaces.After this you can start painting the first coat.You need to make sure is everything okay before you apply the final coat.

If the plasterers did a good job, you will have less sanding to do, but in any case, this will be necessary.

I would suggest scraping all the bits of excess plaster and then proceed to sand walls with medium grade sandpaper. Preparation is the most important part when it comes to painting. The end result always comes down to how well everything has been prepped. So the sum up, yes, definitely sand newly plastered walls even no matter how good the plasterer was.

Prep work will always be needed, but it's important what the state of the surfaces is. If the plasterers did a good job, you will have less sanding to do, but in any case, this will be necessary.

I recommend lightly sanding down new plaster with 120 grit, be careful not to scratch the plaster too much as this will increase the risk of the walls not having a smooth enough finish after paint. To avoid scratching, applying a mist coat then sanding down is always an option (make sure to dust and clear area of any dust).

If the plaster has any imperfections ie trowel marks or brush marks scrape and sand down to desired finish. After doing your first coat on the plaster any further imperfections will be easier to see so you can fill and lightly sand to get the best finish. When sanding on new plastered walls always use 120 grit sandpaper or even a 240 so you don’t scratch new plasterwork.

I was going to say the same thing. If you use a 120grit it would be smoother and easier to then dust down and finally start the easy process of painting.

I would paint everything first with a contract white matt which will show up any imperfections. You can then see were you need to do any rubbing down or possible filling.

Yes, I would yous two miss coats then finish with your choice of Colour that would be fine two paint the new plaster the only way I would sand the plaster down before painting if it was rough and fully smooth

Hi Tom, if you’re walls have been recently skimmed and they are to a good standard I wouldn’t recommend sanding the walls as it creates unnecessary dust. I would only sand if they’re are blobs of plaster or glue etc.

You don’t need sanding incase if you fill any gap …! If you like to sanding for smooth finish use no :220 but make sure before undercoat clean wall very well with dry soft brush. Regards

Give the wall a light rub just to remover any nibs that may be there and then add a 60/40 mix for a mist coat.

Hello, before sanding the walls I recommend doing the mist coat first which is 50-50 of white emulsion and water then it will make it easier to see the imperfections, from there I would use a worn down piece of 120 sandpaper and rub down the imperfections and fill if needed. If you use sandpaper on the bare plaster it will scratch the plaster causing it to need filling

Hi, It is recommended to use undercoat for the walls before painting and after sanding. Best luck

Myself I would not sand down any freshly plastered walls but you would have to look 1st to see if there was any small imperfections throughout the wall but I would just go ahead mist coat on and I would recommend using a 60 40 when preparing your paint. Once mist coated it is then easier to see any imperfections for filling.