Paint Plaster Walls
Plaster has been around for a long time now. It was commonly used in homes a very long time back. Some say that plaster was used as far as in the 1950s. May people like it then as it was easily made, which made it popular, cheap and easy to find. Even now, there are even more people who just love to have plaster in their homes.
Plaster is manufactured from gypsum, water and sand. Plaster is used and considered important to make walls, ceilings and many more architectural features. Painting plaster walls is not a difficult task to accomplish. It\’s quite easy if you know your way around. Moreover, it\’s important to follow the steps and process given so that everything will go smoothly.
It is not that complicated to prepare plaster walls for painting by yourself. If you prepare and let the plaster dry off properly, the paint process will be easier and smoother. Here are the steps on how to paint your plaster wall so that it looks new and compliment your deco as well.
You will need:
- Chisel
- Taper\’s trowel
- Tack cloth
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Premixed drywall mud
- Wall sander with sandpaper
- Stain-blocking primer and roller
Steps:
- First, the old wallpaper should be removed before painting the plaster wall. If you are painting over the existing wallpaper, it will only result on bubble and buckle under the coat of paint. Check for any cracks, gouges and loose plaster over the wall. Scrape any crumbly plaster out of the cracks with a chisel before filling with premixed drywall mud.
- Then, scoop enough mud with a taper\’s trowel to fill the crack and smooth into the hole. Smooth the mud level with the surface of the wall by pulling the edge of the trowel along the filled crack.
- You will have to repeat the process until it is filled and smooth if the crack is large. Use a wall sander fitted with a sanding paper to sand the wall. Check the smoothness of your wall by running your hand over it. Sand again if necessary until the wall is very smooth.
- Next, vacuum all the dust from the room to prevent mottled effect by the dust in your paint. After the vacuum session, apply a stain-blocking primer to the plaster wall as it will seal these areas and to prevent them from showing through the final paint coat.
- Use an angled paintbrush to cut-in the paint along the edge of the wall where it meets the ceiling. Handle with a light touch and steady hand when cutting-in the wall, around the windows and the doors. Then, roll the wall in one corner and apply smooth coat until you reach the opposite corner. To prevent the paint runs, you should not press the roller into the wall.
- For a more polished and professional finish, repeat the cutting-in process and the rolling process one more time.
- These plaster walls are still in good condition in many older homes. The walls still provide a good surface for repaint.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4480799_paint-plaster-walls.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seier/4366841913/
