Painting

Plaster surfaces are very good substrates to paint because plaster has good "tooth" for the paint to adhere to, is smooth and reasonably dimensionally stable. However, new plaster will not hold paint well. New plaster contains a lot of water that must come out before paint is applied. If the water is not allowed to come out, the water may force itself through the paint causing blistering and lost of adhesion. Also, new plaster is very alkaline. This strong alkalinity can adversely affect adhesion.
 
Martin McMahon Plaster is a "master" when it comes to adding color to your plaster. We strongly recommended that new plaster be allowed to dry thoroughly, at least 30 days before a primer is applied. We do not recommend painting plaster before 30 days drying time. Quite often, in freshly plastered rooms, the high humidity can be felt. If after 30 days the humidity in the rooms is still extraordinarily high, more drying time is required to allow the water to escape from the plaster.
 
Since the surface of plaster is so smooth, we recommend using a short-nap roller, such as as 3/8", certainly no longer than 1/2", to minimize the marks left by the nap on the wall. Spraying is an ideal application method to preserve the smooth surface of the plaster.

When it comes to painting your plaster, drywall or stucco be sure to consult with Martin McMahon Plastering for tips and tricks to help you guarantee a satisfactory result