I’m sure this was talked about once, but I can’t remember and I couldn’t find it. How soon after the plaster is applied can it be painted. I’ve seen references to “cured plaster”, but how do you know when it is cured? (other than when it is no longer sick!).
Thanks.
Rich Beckman
Replies
Hey Rich,
Look at the paint can of the brand of paint that you will be using. It should tell ya how long to wait.
I know primer cans tell ya to wait 120 to 160 days before priming. Some brands of paint will tell ya too, but then again some won't.
Since we do not use plaster arounf here, I really can't tell ya from experience.
James DuHamel
J & M Home Maintenance Service
"Southeast Texas"
Rich - Veneer plaster? Can be painted a lot sooner than 3-coat. Most quality primers indicate the time on the label.
T. Jeffery Clarke
I read on another board about a test you can do to determine whether the plaster is cured: Tape a 12" x 12" piece of poly to the wall and leave for 24 hours.. if no moisture is trapped in the poly, then the plaster has cured.
mOst plaster bags say thirty days on the label. Surface coat only can be less with latex.
Oh well. That's what I was afraid of. I'm a bit disappointed in myself that I didn't think of that as soon as the customer started talking about repairing the plaster.
I don't remember anything on the plaster instuctions about time til painting...and I'm sure I read them.
Thanks everyone.
Rich Beckman
Hi Rich
We do alot of plaster houses here in the VI. It is not the moisture taht needs to cure but the lime from the plaster.You can speed up the lime leaching by wet curing (mist it twice a day for a week..). Our paint guy Mikes Paint store in St. Thomas gave me a small bottle of solution to run a litmus test. I dropped some in various places on the walls and if it turned pink the walls were not ready.....I'm sorry I don't know what it was he gave me...Call Charlie at Mikes paint 340-775-0429 and find out