THE BEST PAINT FOR NEW PLASTER WALLS & INTERIORS
Painting new plaster interior walls is one of the most straight-forward home renovations. No old paint to peel off, no cracks to fill and no holes to repair. But not all paints can adhere to new plaster. Surface priming is almost always a must.
With so many new plaster sealers and primers available on the market, choosing the right one can often be more difficult than it looks.
Our expert team has tested and rated not only the most popular new plaster primers but also several self-priming paints for plaster. Check out our favourite plaster paints below.
OUR BEST PICK PLASTER PAINTS
Zinsser Gardz Sealer / Primer
Our top pick – a high-performance alkaline primer for all porous surfaces.
Low Cost Option
Berger New Plaster Paint
Plaster paint for interior walls and ceilings – ideal if you’re looking for a one-step solution.
Best Of The Rest
Polycell 3-In-1 Basecoat
Decent 3-in-1 basecoat for new or previously painted walls – hides minor wall imperfections.
Landlords Plaster Sealer
Transparent plaster sealer for new walls and ceilings – expect rapid one coat results.
Dulux Sealer For Plaster
Outstanding coverage and easy application – two qualities of a top sealer for new plaster walls.
POPULAR PLASTER COLOUR PALETTES
Choosing a colour palette for new plaster walls is similar to choosing a colour palette for any interior walls. You should consider the exposure to light, the size of the room, and the overall style of your home.
A traditional style pairs well with neutral colours. Starting with off-white and ending with darker shades of beige, sand, and brown, there are plenty of options to choose from. Khaki and pear green add personality to a traditional environment while matching with other earthy tones.
In a modern home, play with tonalities of grey. Slate grey is a contemporary choice that works well in large environments. The beauty of a small room can be enhanced by dove grey or Manhattan grey.
Yellow is a beautiful, solar colour that adds warmth to a room. Stimulating the appetite, it is ideal for the kitchen.
Blue is a relaxing hue perfect for the bedroom, but either blush blue or navy can also look amazing in the living area or in the bathroom. For a stylish effect, mix navy with pure white and add a dash of bright yellow.
If you want to go with the flow and follow the trends, get inspired by Pantone’s colours; the trendiest choice is ultraviolet, a nuance that matches wonderfully with chartreuse, bright red, or mocha brown.
A unique sealer and primer for porous and damaged surfaces. Ideal for new plaster and drywall.
Gardz by Zinsser is an undercoat for porous and damaged surfaces, suitable to use on new plaster walls and drywall. The product is our top pick for several reasons, but our favourite trait is its versatility. In fact, this sealer and primer is ideal to use on a wide variety of surfaces ranging from new drywall and plaster to damaged walls and previously painted walls.
Designed to penetrate into porous surfaces, Gardz creates a protective film that seals, waterproofs and improves the adherence of the surface.
The product is ideal to use on chalky and crumbling walls, over flaking paints and textured finishes. It comes in a clear colour that doesn’t interfere with the colour of the topcoat and is very easy to apply with a paintbrush or roller.
Depending on the porosity of the surface, the product covers up to 10m²/litre. Quick drying formula ensures a rapid application. For the best results, we recommend applying at least two coats.
Pros
• Water-based primer has a low odour and complies with VOC regulations. It dries to a clear film that doesn’t interfere with the colour of the topcoat.
• Binds well to the damaged surfaces and it can be applied to high-PH surfaces. It is also ideal to use to seal old wallpaper adhesive.
• The product touch dries in 30 minutes and it can be re-coated after three hours. Allow at least three days to fully cure.
• Watery consistency makes the primer easy to work with. Cleaning up the brushes is easy with just soapy water.
Cons
• Depending on surface porosity, it may take over four coats to properly seal the wall and the costs can easily add up.
• Some users felt they could have achieved a similar result by simply priming the surface with a thinned coat of new plaster paint.
Quick drying new plaster paint ideal for larger redecoration projects.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, two-in-one solution to paint on your new plaster walls, Berger New Plaster Paint could be a great alternative. This product is developed specifically for newly plastered interior walls and ceilings.
Available at a great price and supplied in 10L tubs, the paint is ideal for large decoration projects of new interior. The covering power is excellent and a litre of paint is sufficient for up to 14m².
A downside, if we can call it like that, is the lack of a colour choice. Berger produces this paint in Pure Brilliant White only, which isn’t ‘tint-able’. Yet, this is the only ready-to-use new plaster paint that really convinced us.
The product covers new surfaces perfectly with just one coat; it dries fast, it’s easy to clean from the brushes and it can be used straight from the can – no thinning of the first coat and no priming required.
Pros
• Water-based paint is safe to use in poorly ventilated environments and in the proximity of children and pets.
• Easy to apply with a paintbrush or roller thanks to a superb consistency. It cleans off with lukewarm water.
• Quick drying formula helps you finish work in a breeze. The product touch dries in two hours and can be re-coated after four hours if needed. One coat is usually enough.
Cons
• The product comes in only one colour and is supplied only in 10L tubs.
An average product to consider for your new or previously painted plaster walls.
Polycell usually impresses with the quality of its products. Nonetheless, we weren’t overly enamoured with the performance of its 3-in-1 Basecoat, although the product has an OK quality. To start with the positives, we like that the product contains Polyfilla technology which covers and fixes small wall imperfections and hairline cracks.
To do this, the basecoat has a thick consistency. However, this is a trait we don’t really like. Not only is the product difficult to apply, but it also dries fast in the roller tray, with much of it becoming pretty much useless. Given the price of the product, we weren’t very happy to see it wasted.
Consistency apart, we tested the product on new plaster walls and achieved a decent result. However, we wouldn’t recommend using this as an undercoat on previously painted walls. According to other users, not only does the product have a poor covering power on coloured surfaces, but it also does a poor job of sealing old flaking paint.
Considering that we tested all of our paints and primers for new plaster walls, we do still recommend this product. Just keep in mind that it may be a hassle to get an even layer on your walls.
Pros
• White basecoat provides a perfect foundation for topcoats of all colours while fixing minor surface imperfections.
• Coverage is up to 8m²/litre, which is decent considering the consistency of the paint.
Cons
• Working with this product is a nightmare. It’s hard to achieve an even layer and it’s even more difficult to clean it form the brushes.
• The product may dry fast in the roller tray but it takes at least six hours to dry on walls.
Superb sealer for bare plaster surfaces. Provides an excellent undercoat for most paint systems.
Formulated specifically for new plaster walls and ceilings, Landlord’s sealer works wonders on porous and powdery surfaces. It can be used either on interior or exterior walls and provides superb results with just one coat.
The product is transparent, providing an ideal undercoat for topcoats of all colours. However, the product is formulated to only be visible on walls while wet. In fact, the sealer has a milky shade after application to ensure even coverage and it turns clear once dry.
We like the purchase options that give the possibility to buy just the right quantity of product. The sealer is supplied in 1L and 5L tubs and covers up to 12m²/litre, depending on surface porosity.
Another positive trait is the water-based composition. Landlord’s Sealer has a low content of VOCs and virtually no odour. It’s safe to use in enclosed spaces and it’s non-toxic once dry.
Pros
• Quick drying sealer touch dries in two hours and can be re-coated in only four hours if needed.
• Ideal to use on a wide variety of surfaces, including new and old plaster, stripped plaster, plasterboard and more.
• Great penetration power ensures a perfect seal with just one coat. Great value for money given the low price of the product.
Cons
• The transparent undercoat is ideal on new surfaces but less ideal on previously painted walls.
High-quality plaster sealer for bare walls and ceilings, powdery surfaces and plasterboard.
Like almost everything Dulux, the company’s sealer for plaster doesn’t disappoint. The product is developed for interior use and seals new plaster, preparing it for painting. According to the manufacturer, the product is compatible with only with Dulux’s paint systems but we’ve found that the product performs impeccably with other paints too.
Covering up to 18m²/litre, this is one of the products that offer the greatest value for money. A tin really goes a long way and you can choose either the 1L or the 2.5L tin, depending on the size of your project.
Formulated to be visible on walls to ensure an even coverage, the wet product has a bluish shade and turns clear once dry.
Dulux sealer is easy to apply with a brush; a roller may be used on smooth surfaces but we wouldn’t recommend applying it with a sprayer.
Pros
• The one coat sealer provides a perfect base for most paint systems in quick and easy step. Let it cure for approximately 24 hours before painting.
• The product dries to a clear, smooth finish that doesn’t alter the colour or texture of the topcoat.
• Easy to clean from the brushes with just lukewarm water.
Cons
• Although water-based, the product has a strong odour. Use in well-ventilated environments.
HOW TO PAINT PLASTER WALLS
MATERIALS
• Emulsion paint
• Plaster walls primer
• Sanding paper
• Masking tape
• Caulk
• Drop cloths
TOOLS
• Paintbrushes
• Roller
• Roller tray
• Caulking gun
• Putty knife
• Stepladder
DECORATING GUIDELINES
Step 1 – Surface preparation
New plaster walls require minimal surface preparation. Usually, a light sanding and cleaning suffice. If you’re redecorating previously painted walls, inspect the state of the old paint and remove any flakes and peeling bits.
Sand the wall to level the surface, remove the dust and clean all stains with degreaser. Rinse with clean water and let the wall dry before proceeding.
In case you want to redecorate a wallpapered wall, we recommend removing the wallpaper and its adhesive; this will leave you with a bare plaster wall that can be treated as a new surface. A difference is that you’ll have to repair any holes and cracks with caulk.
Once repaired, sand the surface to level it and remove all dust and debris.
Cover all areas not to be painted with masking tape and lay drop cloths on the floor and surrounding furniture.
Step 2 – Prime the surface
Priming is necessary on new or bare plaster surfaces. A plaster sealer or primer provides an impermeable base that reduces wall porosity while improving adherence. This reduces the quantity of paint required, minimising the costs and duration of the project.
The best way to apply the primer is either with a brush or with a roller; both tools are ideal to ensure a deep penetration of the product into the wall which is essential to achieve a proper sealing of the surface.
Most plaster primers are able to seal the surface with just one coat and you’ll just have to leave the surface to cure for about 24 hours before applying the paint.
Step 3 – Paint the surface
Depending on the characteristics of the paint, you can apply it either with a brush, roller or sprayer. The latter is the fastest method but also the messiest.
On large surfaces, the best way to apply the paint is with a roller; however, you should first paint the edges with a paintbrush, then fill in the remaining area with a roller. Leave the paint to dry as instructed and apply a second coat if necessary.
Once you have achieved your desired level of coverage, leave the paint to dry and cure for at least 24 hours.