If you’re repairing damaged plaster, installing a new wall or renovating your home, a fresh coat of paint is the best way to make your mark. Modern products make painting easy, but if you’ve never painted over fresh plaster then it’s important to be mindful of plaster drying times. Painting over uncured plaster can have disastrous results, and you may find yourself stripping the paint off and starting again. In this article we’ll discuss how long it takes plaster to cure and the steps you need to take when painting over fresh Gyprock.
How Long Does Plaster Take to Dry Before Painting?
It typically takes 1-5 hours for plaster to dry, but it can take up to 4 weeks for plaster to cure fully. Plaster must be fully cured before painting, otherwise it may absorb moisture from the paint, which can lead to cracking.
Some plaster products are specially designed to be rapid-curing. Products such as Gyprock’s rapid plaster kit can be painted over as soon as your repair is completed. For larger projects, such as when installing new plasterboard in an entire room, it’s best to wait 2-4 weeks before painting. This ensures a high quality finish and eliminates the chances of the plaster being damaged by the fresh paint.
How to Tell When Plaster is Dry
Wall plaster is dry when it has changed from a light brown colour to a uniform white tone (some plasters may look slightly pink when dry). At this point the plaster should also feel dry to the touch, and you should be able to tap on the surface gently without making an impression. Although it isn’t yet ready for paint, dried plaster can be sanded back if additional coats are required.
The time it takes plaster to dry depends on lots of different factors, such as:
- How thick the plaster was applied
- The ambient temperature
- Air flow in the room
- The type of plaster being used
- The wall material being used
- Rain, storms and other weather events
The best way to check if plaster is fully cured is to follow the manufacturer’s directions. Most plaster products come with a data sheet showing how long it takes the plaster to cure in a range of environments.
Tips for Speeding Up the Plaster Drying Process
It’s best to allow plaster to dry naturally whenever possible. Curing typically won’t take the full 2-4 weeks, so it’s better not to rush the process. If you’re on a tight deadline (or if you’re struggling with humidity and moisture), you can speed up the plaster drying process by:
- Opening doors and windows to create cross ventilation
- Using gentle heat to keep the room warm
- Using an air conditioner to dehumidify the space
- Applying plaster in multiple thin coats, rather than thick coats
We recommend that you avoid using heaters wherever possible. Applying too much heat can dry the plaster out too quickly, which may cause it to crack. If you do need to use a heater, make sure the temperature is set to 25C. This will encourage the plaster to dry out without stripping excessive amounts of moisture from your walls.
Painting Over Fresh Gyprock and Plaster
Painting over fresh Gyprock or fresh plaster is very similar to painting an existing wall in your home. But there are a couple of extra steps to ensure a high quality finished product:
- Allow the plaster to cure fully for 2-4 weeks before painting.
- Apply a layer of primer (sometimes called a ‘mist coat’) to seal the fresh Gyprock and plaster. Allow the primer to dry fully before moving onto the topcoat.
- Apply the topcoat according to the manufacturer’s directions. Depending on the colour you choose, you may need 2-3 coats to achieve full coverage over a freshly plastered wall.
The primer coat is the most important part of painting a new wall. Fresh plaster and Gyprock absorb large amounts of moisture from paint. Using a water-based primer that’s designed for use on fresh plasterboard will give you nice, even coverage, and it will improve the appearance of the topcoat.
Take the Hassle Out of Repairs and Renovations with Sydney Metro Plastering!
Plastering, sanding and painting a fresh wall is a straightforward process. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, applying plaster and paint is a DIY-friendly job, and it’s something you can tackle yourself with just a few days’ work. Along the way there’ll be a few tricks to keep in mind, so it’s worth talking to Sydney Metro Plastering if you’re planning a bigger project involving ceiling plasterer work or cornice repair!
Sydney Metro Plastering provides reliable, affordable and high quality plastering services throughout the Sydney region. We work with residential and commercial clients on projects of every size. If you’re looking for small repairs, major renovations or a complete commercial fitout, we can design a plasterboard installation that makes your property stand out! Contact us to book a quote or to find out more about how long you’ll need to wait before painting your new plaster work.