What's the best way to paint plaster, should i use primer?

Question

What's the best way to paint plaster, should i use primer?

Answer 1

Yes, you most definitely should use a primer otherwise the plaster will suck the moisture out of the paint, most often in uneven and blotchy ways, giving you a very uneven sheen and finish to your paint job.

Wipe the plaster with a slightly dampened cloth to remove plaster dust. Then prime and paint. Pay special notice as to whether the primer is building or if it is being absorbed into the plaster. More than one coat of primer may be necessary to build a well-primed surface to which paint can adhere.

If this is a new plaster wall, plaster supposedly should cure for 30 days before painting.

Answer 2

ive painted my plaster walls and didnt use a primer--but the walls were of light color to begin with. and it looks great

Answer 3

If you made repairs to the plaster, yes you need to prime the repaired areas before your put on the finish paint.

Answer 4

It all depends on what is painted on it already. If it hasn't been painted then you need to use a primer first. You can have the primer tinted close to the shade of paint you will be using. If it was painted with oil based paint then you will have to prime before using a latex paint or it will peel.