Ready to hire?
Post your job in minutes, browse real reviews and choose who to speak to.Post a jobNeed some tips or advice?
Ask a questionPlastering & Rendering
Hair line cracks in new render
Kathryn James 05/08/2026 - 7.57 AM
Hello, I have just rendered a wall (the first time I have ever attempted this. I followed all the rules I could read and all went well (I thought). It is drying now and has developed very fine cracks. I did cover the whole thing when I had finshed to protect it from the sun... but... I am wondering now if the render is stable and do I need to paint it with Render Sealer / Stabilising Solution before I paint it? I would be grateful for a little advice. Thank you Kathryn
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
1 Answer
CB Builders & Son
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Hairline cracks are quite common as new render cures and aren’t always a sign that anything has gone wrong. If the render is solid and not hollow or loose, it’s usually just shrinkage during the drying process.
Before painting, allow the render to fully cure as recommended by the manufacturer. A stabilising solution is only normally required if the surface is dusty or friable. If the render is sound, use a good-quality masonry paint suitable for fresh render.
If the cracks become wider or continue to develop, it would be worth having the render inspected before decorating.
Hope this helps.
Answered5 August 2026
1