Technology of plastering walls for painting – 8 simple steps

A smooth and polished finish is largely dependent on plastering the walls, particularly in the lead-up to painting. Knowing the proper method can make all the difference when remodeling a space or updating a room. We’ll simplify the plastering process into eight simple steps that anyone can follow in this guide.

Every step of the process, from surface preparation to final coat application, will be demonstrated to you. You’ll discover how to prepare your walls, select the best supplies, and guarantee a faultless plastering job. These instructions are meant to provide you the best possible outcome with the least amount of trouble.

You can plaster your walls with confidence if you adhere to these simple instructions. Professional skills are not required; all you need is a little perseverance and the appropriate strategy. Now let’s get started and prepare your walls for the ideal paint job.

Step Description
1 Prepare the surface by cleaning it and removing any old paint or wallpaper.
2 Repair any holes or cracks with a filler or patching compound.
3 Apply a primer to help the plaster adhere better and ensure an even finish.
4 Mix the plaster according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5 Apply the plaster to the wall using a trowel, starting from the top and working down.
6 Smooth the plaster with a float or trowel to get an even surface.
7 Allow the plaster to dry completely, following the recommended drying times.
8 Sand the dried plaster to achieve a smooth finish before painting.

Requirements for the quality of the surface before painting

Upon close inspection, the paint plate’s tiny thickness is the first thing that catches your eye. Paint compositions conform to the base’s surface to create a thin layer that repeats even the smallest bulges and bends in large pores or depressions. A thin film gives sections of the wall a consistent color, which helps the viewer understand the surface’s texture and highlights any cracks or bumps. As a result, the finisher’s primary responsibility is to maximize the painted surface’s evenness and smoothness. The surfaces are leveled for this purpose.

Standards for finishing works were created with this in mind. SNiP 3.04.01-87 specifies that the plaster surface that is going to be painted needs to be:

  • smoothed (no roughness is allowed on it);
  • with cracks sealed and leveled (they must be opened at least 0.2 cm, filled, sanded);
  • cleaned of grease, construction dust, dirt;
  • without irregularities larger than 1 mm (only 1 defect per 2 m2 is allowed);
  • without drips, marks of a trowel;
  • primed, dried (humidity up to 8%).

We offer instructions on how to manually level a wall in preparation for painting, highlighting the significance and validity of each listed requirement.

What is needed to level walls for painting

Proper inventory, tools, and materials are needed for plastering before painting walls.

Assemble a reserve in advance:

  • priming agents;
  • Dry plastering mixtures, individual components for the solution or finished compounds:
  • starting and finishing putty;
  • reinforcing mesh (if strengthening of the plaster layer is required), corners, serpyanka;
  • beacon slats;
  • masking tape.

  • containers for preparing the leveling solution;
  • scaffolding or stepladder;
  • portable lamp;
  • film for covering furniture, floors and other open areas;
  • personal protective equipment;
  • clean rags;
  • garbage container.

The primary instruments that will be useful are:

  • trowel;
  • float and half-float;
  • rollers;
  • spatulas;
  • brushes;
  • tape measure;
  • level;
  • rule;
  • sandpaper;
  • mixer;
  • sprayer;
  • sponge.

Plastering for painting – work technology

Plastering is done in order for painting, just like other construction tasks.

The following is a detailed list of the works:

  1. surface preparation (remove the unusable part of the old wall finish, inspect the wall condition, repair the identified defects if necessary, clean the surface, prime, install beacons);
  2. preparation of the working solution;
  3. application of the plaster solution (leveling);
  4. priming;
  5. puttying;
  6. priming;
  7. drying;
  8. painting.

Let’s go into more detail about each stage individually. But in brief, as each operation’s specifics are covered in great detail in their own articles.

Surface preparation

This step aims to remove any inappropriate elements from the previous coating, locate and seal any flaws, and establish the right conditions for the leveling solution to firmly adhere to the base material. The wall surface at the exit should be spotless, dry, and free of defects.

This is accomplished in turn:

  1. Prepare the premises for work: take out the furniture, protect window units, floors, door panels. Remove the lamps, dismantle the sockets, de-energize the wiring.
  2. Remove whitewash, deteriorated paint, wallpaper, peeling plaster from the walls.
  3. Inspect the wall, identify defects, curvature, remove unnecessary hardware.
  4. Clean walls from traces of oils, fungus, rust stains, efflorescence.
  5. Expand cracks, masonry joints. Isolate left hardware.
  6. Remove dust.
  7. Repair defects.
  8. Apply a layer of primer, dry, apply a second, then (after drying) – a third.
  9. Install beacons.

Plastering on beacons

There are two methods for attaining geometric perfection on walls: plastering on beacons and dry plastering, which involves installing plasterboard. These wall-leveling techniques are covered in separate sections. Thus, let’s talk a little bit about beacon plastering here.

Using the beacon method, an auxiliary plane is made and it passes through the upper sides of the beacon strips. In order to uphold the rule, the beacon strips themselves serve as reference points and stops. After applying the solution to the wall in between the beacons, a rule is used to level it. The top of the beacon strips and the surface of the resultant plaster coating line up. After the strips are taken out of the plaster layer, the resulting grooves are leveled along the wall’s existing plane and filled with mortar.

Which putty is better to use

Even a flat wall surface becomes too rough and uneven when leveled with a rule. It will show up after paint is applied and has pores and other minor flaws that are easily seen in side lighting. Putty alignment of the walls must be done separately before painting.

Putty is actually a plaster mix analog. The composition particles’ sizes vary, which affects their plasticity and capacity to form a smooth layer. The starting and finishing putty masses are identified based on their degree of granularity. based on the binder—gypsum, cement, or polymer. By granularity: coarser putty is used for joint and crack sealing at the beginning, and finer putty is used for finishing.

The selection of putty mixture can also be determined by the following conditions:

  • for outdoor work and damp rooms, cement-based mixtures are more often chosen;
  • if the mixture is intended for living rooms, children"s rooms and other dry rooms, gypsum compositions are used;
  • polymer masses are suitable for living rooms and bathrooms.

A distinction is made between dry and ready-made mixtures based on their level of readiness for use. Although the latter are more costly, novices can operate with them more easily. When it comes to parameters like elasticity, plasticity, and durability, polymer compositions are known to be the best. Their paint will give walls a long-lasting, brand-new appearance.

Putty

Puttying is likewise done in phases:

  1. From the dry mixture, a sour cream-like viscous mass is prepared, which should not flow from the trowel or from the wall. Starter mixtures harden quickly, so it is better to dilute a little, in accordance with the individual speed of work.
  2. After drying the primer put on plaster, a spatula or cell is applied to the wall surface of the solution of the solution, starting the imposition of a new smear from the ceiling of the smear trace applied earlier, by 5 cm. The tool is held at the same angle as when applying plaster. It is easier to putty corners using an angle spatula.
  3. Allow the applied starting mass to dry.
  4. Apply the finishing mixture in a layer of up to 2 mm.
  5. After drying (at least 12 hours), proceed to grinding.

The final stage of preparation for painting

The technology for leveling the walls for painting must be maintained, but its points must be coordinated with the desired outcome. A particularly smooth surface is not necessary if textured paint is used for painting. Should the walls require a glossy finish, grinding will be required. Sanding can be done manually or with the use of equipment (with the right disks).

Every bit of the resultant dust is eliminated after "smoothing." For this, use what you have on hand. Wet cleaning or using a vacuum cleaner yields the best results. Wet dust removal must be followed by the necessary drying of the surface.

Although plastering walls in preparation for painting may seem like a difficult task, it is actually much easier to complete when broken down into clear, manageable steps. You can give your walls a polished, seamless finish by following the eight steps listed.

For a strong foundation for your plaster, begin with thorough wall cleaning and repair. Primer application improves plaster adhesion and creates a level surface for painting. Applying even, thin layers of plaster and properly mixing your mixture are essential for achieving a smooth surface.

Let every coat completely dry before adding the next. Sanding the surface after each coat is applied and allowed to dry guarantees a flawlessly smooth surface that is prepared for painting. Carefully following these steps will result in a gorgeous, long-lasting finish that improves the overall appearance of your area.

Painting walls after plastering them doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. These eight easy steps will help you finish smoothly and professionally with the least amount of hassle. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from surface preparation to plaster application and painting readiness, making it simple and doable.

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Elena Sokolova

Architect and interior designer with a deep interest in traditional and modern methods of wall finishing. On the site I share tips on choosing materials and techniques that help create a cozy and stylish space.

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