Before painting on newly skimmed walls, you'll need to wait until the plaster is completely dry. In good conditions – typically in summer months – this will usually take around three days. However, we'd recommend leaving it for at least two weeks if possible to be safe.
Generally, you should be prepared to wait about 4 weeks for fresh plaster to dry completely. If the walls have only received a skim coat of plaster, they will take less time to dry. Typically, it will take 3-4 days for a skimmed surface to be completely dry.
Plaster generally takes around three to five days to dry fully. It will turn from a brown colour to pale pink. Then, you can apply your mist coat of paint or wallpaper. How long the plaster takes to fully dry can depend on how thick it is, and the conditions of your home.
With freshly plastered surfaces, leave approximately six months to dry completely before painting.
In good conditions – typically in summer months – this will usually take around three days. However, we'd recommend leaving it for at least two weeks if possible to be safe. In the wrong conditions, plaster can even be known to take up to four weeks to dry!
Rushing the process can lead to issues such as peeling lining paper and ruined paint. Patience is crucial during the drying period, which typically takes 3-5 days. Accelerating Plaster Drying: To expedite the drying of plaster, using an electric heater on a medium setting can help remove moisture.
Let the plaster dry
Your plaster will dry quicker with a heater or if you open a window. If you try to apply paint to wet plaster this can cause adhesion problems. Applying emulsion to wet plaster also means that it may not bond properly and you could find that it peels off your wall.
The drying out of the new plaster is enhanced significantly by increasing ventilation to the area. Opening windows and doors, and the introduction of a dehumidifier, will remove moisture in the atmosphere. The introduction of heat must be considered with caution.
Curing: Begin curing as soon as the plaster has hardened to ensure maximum strength and prevent cracks. A minimum of seven days of curing is recommended for plastered surfaces.
First and foremost, let the plaster dry. Paint won't adhere properly to wet plaster, so make sure it's fully dried. This takes around 3-5 days for overskim or 4-6 weeks for a new plaster wall, though it can take longer depending on humidity and ventilation.
While some may suggest plastering and painting on the same day, it's essential to allow the plaster to cure before applying paint. Waiting for the plaster to dry completely, typically for around two weeks, allows all moisture to evaporate. This helps prevent issues such as paint peeling in the future.
It will take around 20 minutes for the plaster to dry slightly and at this point, you will probably find small and sporadic lumps spread across your plastered wall. Use your trowel to gently smooth them out, especially around the corners at the bottom and top of the wall.
Can you paint directly over old plaster? You should only paint onto old plaster if it isn't flaking or cracked. If it is in poor condition, you should repair and/or use sandpaper before you begin painting. Any imperfections in the surface will show through even multiple layers of paint.
Without the mist coat you're likely to have very poor adhesion between your paint and your plaster and quite often it will crack, flake or even peel off in sheets in some instances!
For a freshly plastered wall to be completely dry, it can take up to 4 weeks, sometimes even more.
As a rule of thumb, plaster takes up to 4 weeks to dry completely. You can speed things up with a heater or by opening a window. Top tip: If you don't let the plaster dry and apply emulsion paint to wet plaster, it's likely to crack and peel off.
In good conditions, for instance in summer months, plaster will typically dry in around three days. However, it's safest to leave it for at least two weeks to be safe. If conditions are bad, your plaster could even take up to four weeks to dry!
One of the easiest ways to speed up the setting time of plaster is to use warm water when mixing it. Gypsum plaster reacts more quickly when mixed with warm water because it accelerates the hydration process. Simply using water that is warmer than room temperature can shave several minutes off the setting time.
As a general rule of thumb, a newly plastered wall should be left for 28 days before any painting should begin. Walls should be fully dry both visibly and to the touch. Painting walls before they are ready will cause adhesion problems, and result in cracking and peeling of paint and uneven colour.
Due to the fact that newly plastered walls cannot be painted using certain paints until they are completely dry, contract matt is the best paint to use.
Newly plastered walls need sealing in the same way as your ceiling or drywalls: they should have a stabilising primer layer first, before they're applied with at least two coats of paint. A previously painted wall should also have at least two coats, without the primer layer first.
For best results, keep the optimum temperature for plastering below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celcius). This will help to speed up the drying process, as well as helping to minimise problems with cracking.
There's no harm in postponing decoration for a while, in fact it will give the plaster time to dry out fully and any subsequent shrinkage cracks can be filled before painting. The only downside in a kitchen area is the risk of grease spots and splashes which would resist a subsequent water based paint.
What is the recommended thickness of plaster for external walls? The recommended plaster thickness usually ranges from 15 mm to 20 mm for exterior walls.