Painting is a common option for plastered walls because of its adaptability and simplicity of application. The right paint can improve the appearance of your room by giving the walls color and protection. But it can be difficult to choose the best paint type because there are so many options.
There are important things to take into account to get a perfect finish, from choosing the right paint finish to knowing the best application techniques. It is crucial to understand which type of finish is most suitable for plastered surfaces, be it glossy, matte, or textured.
With the help of this guide, you will be able to make well-informed decisions about the best paint types and application techniques for your plastered walls. Let’s discuss how to use the right paint and technique to highlight the beauty of your walls.
| Paint Type | Application Tips |
| Water-based Paint | Easy to apply, dries quickly, low odor, suitable for interior walls. |
| Acrylic Paint | Durable and flexible, ideal for high-traffic areas, easy to clean. |
| Oil-based Paint | Provides a smooth, glossy finish, but requires longer drying time and proper ventilation. |
| Matte Finish | Best for hiding imperfections, great for bedrooms and living rooms, but harder to clean. |
| Satin Finish | Gives a soft sheen, easy to clean, suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. |
| Primer | Always apply before painting to ensure better adhesion and even color. |
To get a smooth, long-lasting finish when painting plastered walls, it’s critical to select the appropriate paint type and apply it correctly. In order to ensure that your walls continue to look their best for years to come, this article will walk you through choosing the best paint for your needs and provide step-by-step instructions on proper application techniques.
Choosing paint for plaster
Paints with various compositions are used to finish facades and paint interior walls. Ultimately, the prerequisites for them are very dissimilar.
For interior work
The following paint kinds are most frequently used when painting plaster inside buildings:
Water-based: form a matte surface, are easy to apply, economical, do not contain toxic substances, but are able to absorb moisture and quickly wash off upon contact with water, therefore they are not recommended for damp rooms. Water-based paint can be applied to various types of surfaces: plaster, concrete, wood, brick, wallpaper, plastic elements. Available in various colors and white for mixing with water-based coloring pigments. You can dilute it with ordinary clean water. The material consumption per 1 m2 is 0.1 – 0.15 l. That is, one 10 l can of paint is enough to paint approximately 80 m2 of surface in one layer. Drying time is no more than 1 hour.
The same water dispersions apply to acrylic dyes, but because of their higher acrylic content, they produce a coating that is more resilient and long-lasting and can be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth. However, excessive water ingress is also not acceptable. On all kinds of surfaces, they fit perfectly. It uses a little bit more than paint that is based on water.
Both matte and glossy coatings are possible. For instance, Tikkurila acrylic paint can be used indoors in dry areas and high humidity areas, like the kitchen or bathroom, to protect plaster from moisture-related damage. Ideal for painting ceilings as well.
More costly and eco-friendly, latex creates a glossy or matte waterproof coating that is suitable for use in bathrooms and other high-humidity areas. Ideal for painting ceilings and walls composed of any kind of material, including gypsum, cement, or lime mixture plaster.
Because latex paints are thicker than water-based paints, their consumption (coverage) during painting is sometimes expressed in grams per square meter. The consistency of products from different manufacturers frequently varies, and the dye consumption ranges greatly from 90 to 200 g / m2. Water can be used to dilute them up to 5% of their original volume. One to five hours for drying.
These paints are frequently applied as decorative plaster’s final coat. They do a good job of highlighting the surface’s volume and texture after painting.
Alkyd (enamels) and oil combine to provide a very robust, mechanically resistant coating that is resistant to wear and tear. Such a composition does not need special maintenance, and it is simple to clean with any soap solution. Some drawbacks are limited color options, higher consumption, and a higher risk of fire (they catch fire easily). When applied, alkyd can release harmful substances. These materials are generally appropriate for decorating both dry and wet rooms. Once it has dried, apply a thick, glossy layer.
It is not worth it to stain the walls right away because the paint will apply unevenly because of the cement-sand mortar plaster. It is preferable to first apply a thin coat of finishing putty to them. If this is still required, it is preferable to paint them multiple times with acrylic paint or whitewash them with regular lime.
There is a general rule that states that painting is done similarly to the composition of plaster. In other words, acrylic paint, lime-cement-lime, silicate-silicate, etc.D., are applied on top of acrylic plaster. If the old plaster’s composition cannot be ascertained, try coloring a sample and evaluate which dye performs better.
For external finishes
Not all paints are appropriate for use outdoors. It ought to be:
- highly durable and wear-resistant;
- resistant to ultraviolet radiation and not fade under the influence of sunlight;
- permeable to water and not afraid of moisture;
- sufficiently economical and have a consumption rate of no more than 200-300 g per sq. m.
Counseling! Paints meant for outdoor use should not be used for indoor painting. They are not always ecologically friendly and were created especially for use in challenging situations.
Plastered facades are finished with the following compositions:
Latex (acrylic): has relatively low water permeability, bright saturated colors, resistance to chemical compounds, does not fade, and is not afraid of temperature changes. For a considerable amount of time, the surface stays clean. This kind of coating is widely used and works well for painting brick, wood, concrete, plastered aerated concrete, and other surfaces. Use a brush, roller, or spray gun for application.
Silicate-acrylic mixtures. utilized for painting mineral bases, such as brick, concrete, and plasters made of cement and lime. Interior work in moist areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways is also appropriate. possess strong resistance to precipitation and vapor permeability. One layer’s consumption rate is between 0.17 and 0.2 kg/m2. If required, dilute with water and add water pigment for color.
Silicate. They consist of coloring pigments, mineral fillers, and liquid potassium glass. Paints have excellent adhesion, high water resistance, resistance to mold and mildew, and good resistance to dirt and UV radiation, but their color palette is not very vibrant. The amount consumed is 0.15–0.3 l/m^2. High vapor permeability is another characteristic of silicate dyes that makes them appropriate for direct application to foam blocks, aerated blocks, or on top of plasters that are vapor-permeable.
Silicone paints come in a wide range of colors and shades and are composed of silicate and acrylic. They create a waterproof surface that shields the facade’s plaster from moisture and mechanical damage.
Alkyd and oil have become less common in recent years because the sun causes the plastered surface to crack. The majority of these coatings are applied to wood, including fences, railings, window frames, wall cladding, etc. Metal can also be painted with oil paints, but first a primer coat must be applied. Because covering large sections of walls with plaster or over concrete is expensive, these materials are not used as frequently. The process of making oil paint involves drying natural oil, which has an impact on the cost. Consumption of material is 1 liter per 6–10 m2, depending on the surface to be painted.
Counseling! Please be aware that more paint will be needed to paint porous surfaces. Manufacturers only specify the minimum amount to be consumed, assuming that the mixture will be applied to an evenly distributed and flawless base.
Tools for work
After deciding what to paint the walls, let’s think about the equipment you’ll need. Apart from the paint itself, you will require:
- brush or roller for priming;
- two brushes for applying paint – one wide, for the main surface, the second, narrow, for hard-to-reach places; a wide brush can be replaced with a paint roller;
- to create a decorative surface (for example, grainy or patterned), you can use rollers with attachments;
- if necessary, color of the desired shade to dilute the white base;
- grater for polishing small irregularities;
- large capacity (tray);
- ladder;
- personal protective equipment: gloves, respirator when using a spray gun, hat when painting ceilings.
The durability and overall appearance of your plastered walls can be greatly enhanced by selecting the appropriate paint and applying it correctly. You can choose a paint type that best fits your needs and space by being aware of the various paint types and their applications.
A good paint job requires careful preparation. Making sure your walls are primed, clean, and smooth will give the paint a solid base and result in a more polished finish.
Whether applying paint with a brush, roller, or sprayer, using the proper techniques will guarantee even coverage and a smooth finish. If you take your time at every stage, the walls will look fantastic for many years to come and you will have completed the job well.
