How long before painting on newly skimmed walls?

After you’ve had your walls freshly skimmed, the last thing you want to do is paint on wet plaster. In fact, if you apply emulsion paint to wet plaster, it’ll likely just crack and peel off. So, how long should you wait before painting on newly skimmed walls?

How long before painting on newly skimmed walls?

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. In the wrong conditions, plaster can even be known to take up to four weeks to dry!

The colour of the plaster should help you tell whether or not your walls are ready to be painted. As the walls dry, they’ll start to develop lighter colour patches. Once the whole wall is this light colour, this indicates that the plaster is dry and ready to paint.

How to paint newly skimmed walls

Once your walls are dry, you’ll probably be chomping at the bit to take to them with a paintbrush. But hold fire! Before you go slapping fresh paint on your newly skimmed walls, you’ll need to apply a mist coat.

A mist coat is a mixture of water and emulsion paint, typically 3 parts paint to 1 part water. It helps to prepare your walls for painting by soaking into the plaster and creating a bond that will allow your paint to stick properly. Without it, your paint could fail to adhere and flake off.

When painting on new plaster, here’s the process you should follow:

1. Wait for the plaster to dry
2. Sand your walls to ensure they’re completely smooth
3. Apply your mist coat
4. Let it dry for at least 24 hours
5. Apply your coats of paint (normally at least two!)

This will give you the best chance of getting a smooth and even finish that will stand the test of time.

Find a painter and decorator to paint your newly skimmed walls

If you’re short on time, why not find a painter and decorator near you to paint your newly skimmed walls instead? Not only will they save you a ton of time and hassle, but they’ll also ensure a professional finish that you can be confident will last long into the future.