I have recently had my roof replaced and on the inside the ceiling has been plastered. I have been told that the plaster needs to be sealed before painting to prevent my choice of coloured paint from 'flaking', what is the best way to do this?

I have been given the following advice from various people:

Use PVA watered down
Use a PVA primer from B&Q
Use matt emulsion - 3 parts water 1 part matt
Use non vinyl matt emulsion - 5 parts water 1 part matt (not sure if this is any different from 'normal' matt emulsion)

As you can guess I am completely confused so any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Layla, December 2008

can i use pva over matt paint ????

Razz, May 2012

hi, when i have finished a job(plastering)and i want to paint or decorate over the plaster to seal it i mixed water with matt emulsion 1:1 ratio(you might need to give it a couple of coats),i have been in the trade for a little over 20 years and never had a problem with this method.

nick rolo, September 2010

Hi, Jim here, what memo man has stated is good advise allways use P.V.A.diluted , i have been painting for over 30 years and if i told you what i used to kill the alkali in the plaster so i could paint over it i dout whether you would believe me i now use P.V.A. diluted and i wont use anything else now hope this helps

jim, January 2010

Definately use pva as previously advised 4 to 1 should be fine apply 2 coats better than one if suction is great. dont rely on thinning emulsion paint. I was ill advised by paint manufacter. The reason if there is any lime / cement dust or other it may react with modern paints which can contain a cocktail of different chemicals. And will not give a really good bond. Also painting will be easier and you wont need to thin the paint so much if at all. Dont take a chance alays use pva as first coat .

memo man, January 2009

Sorry just want to add, sometimes PVA can reactivate when wet because its water based. Ok if your going to paper on top but if painting i would use water and matt

chops, January 2009

Go for matt emulsion - 3 parts water 1 part matt maybe even half water n half matt

chops, January 2009

anyone is okay but the pva is the better choice as if you wanted to wall paper later on i found it better for the paste to adhere to it down to personal choice at end of day

jobby do good, December 2008