How to Go About Plastering Over a Painted Wall
Plastering over a painted wall is a common practice, often necessary for home improvement and renovation projects. You might need to plaster over paint to repair surface imperfections, such as cracks or holes, ensuring a smooth canvas for fresh paint or wallpaper. Additionally, plastering can improve the look of the wall, and even add insulation and fire resistance.
Whether you’re a dedicated DIYer or a homeowner seeking a reliable solution, this blog will provide valuable insights. Discover the ways that professional plasterers prepare a painted surface for plastering and find out how to get a room ready for the plastering process.
About Logic Plastering
Logic Plastering Services is a trusted name with over a decade of plastering excellence in Bedfordshire. Our experienced team comprises qualified plasterers who bring years of expertise to their work. Each one of us are skilled tradesmen who apply our knowledge practically every day.
Can You Plaster Over Painted Walls?
This is a question we get asked a good deal, and our answer is ‘Absolutely!’. You can plaster over painted walls, provided the existing paint is of good quality and in sound condition.
1. Clean the Painted Surface
You will need to start by carefully cleaning the surface. Even if you can’t visibly spot it, walls tend to accumulate dirt and substances over time, potentially causing irregular plaster finishes and complications down the road. Simply use a sponge and soapy water to thoroughly remove dirt, debris, and any lingering grease.
2. Apply PVA Emulsion
Next, you’ll need to apply PVA emulsion in order to ensure an adhesive bond between the painted surface and the plaster. Don’t be tempted to skip this step, as you could end up with cracking or flaking plaster if you do.
3. You’re Ready to Plaster
You’ll need two coats of plaster. Once you’ve applied the first coat, leave for 10 minutes, then flatten it out to achieve a smooth surface. Allow 30 minutes before applying the second coat and repeat the flattening process after 10 minutes. A newly plastered wall will take up to 6 weeks to dry out fully. Leave it at least a week before wallpapering or painting.
What if the Paint is in Poor Condition?
Old or flaking paint will need to be removed prior to plaster being applied. Otherwise, there’s a danger that sections of the plaster will pull away from the wall or begin to crack.
Start by giving the walls a good wash with soap and water to loosen and remove dust, flaking paint, and grease. Then use a paint scraper to get rid of the loose paint. A sanding block can be useful to loosen patches of paint prior to scraping them.
If there are any obstinate patches, you may need a commercial paint stripper to ensure the wall is completely free of old paintwork before plastering.
Repairing Damaged Walls
If there are cracks, or small holes in the wall you wish to plaster over, these can be filled using decorators’ caulk. If there are larger holes or cracks needing repair, you would be best served by getting a professional in. Any errors in repairing the original wall are likely to impact the new plaster coating, so you shouldn’t take any chances.
Is Plastering Over Painted Walls a Job For a Professional?
The answer to this question really depends on your skills as a DIYer, and your confidence; it’s important to recognise the complexities involved. Assess how comfortable you feel with the surface preparation, plaster mixing, and application skills required.
If you’re unsure or lack experience, seeking professional help is advisable, especially for larger projects or walls with significant imperfections. Professionals bring not only technical proficiency but also the ability to troubleshoot unexpected challenges, ensuring a smoother, more durable finish. For a flawless outcome, it’s often wiser to entrust this task to skilled plastering experts.
Preparing the Room for Plastering
Plastering is a messy job whether you’re doing it yourself, or you hire a professional. You will need to take some time to prepare the room carefully. It’s a good idea to clear the room as much as possible. Anything that has to stay should be covered in dust sheets. Your flooring should be protected with an adhesive carpet protector.
You need access to water whilst plastering, so ensure that there’s an easy route between the wall you’re working on and the water supply. If you’re replacing your skirting boards, remove them prior to plastering as it makes the job easier and quicker.
The Logic Plastering team always take great care to cause as little disruption as possible wherever we’re working. We keep the site as clean and tidy as possible, and we clean up efficiently once we are finished.
Need a professional to plaster over painted walls? Contact Logic Plastering at 07809 228328 for craftsmanship and customer service excellence.