Can You Paint Exterior Plaster Walls of Your Tampa Residence?

Some new homeowners may find themselves wondering, “Can you paint plaster walls?” If you’ve found yourself wondering the same question, take relief in knowing that you can. A new coat of paint on plaster walls helps cover up stains and blemishes and allows for an inexpensive way to enhance the overall look of your home. 

Unlike normal walls, however, painting a plaster surface requires slightly different methods and materials. Before grabbing your paintbrush to get started on your next big paint job, learn the most effective ways to paint plaster with advice from Original Florida Painting Co., the award-winning exterior house painters in Tampa. 

Factors to Consider Before Painting Exterior Plaster Walls

A new coat of paint on plaster walls helps cover up stains and blemishes and allows an inexpensive way to enhance the overall look of your home. Since you can’t paint new plaster directly, you’ll need to take certain steps to get the results you’d like. 

For the best results, always check the condition of your walls before painting. For plaster walls in poor condition, you may need to sand them first.

Whether or not you decide on sanding, you’ll need to use a damp cloth to clean your exterior walls next. Elements like dirt, debris, and grease will impede your paint from adhering to the plaster properly. Once dry, use a small area to test your paint color with wide, even strokes against the wall. 

Type of Paint for Exterior Plaster Walls

Painting your exterior plaster walls can add an inviting appeal to your home and brighten your outdoor aesthetic. When choosing the right paint, always pick a high-quality paint specifically designed for plaster walls. High-quality latex paint, for instance, will offer better adhesion during the painting process and can withstand cracking and peeling from outdoor elements.

While paint costs may vary, the most common types of paint available for exterior plaster walls include:

• Latex paint
• Oil-based paint
• Specialized paint

As a water-based paint, latex paint allows for easy cleanup without the need for special preparation before painting. Oil-based paint offers more durability and overall resistance but won’t clean as easily as latex. You can also choose specialized paints for additional protection, such as textured paint or anti-stain and mildew paints.

Painting Your Exterior Plaster Walls

How can you paint plaster walls and still achieve a full, colorful finish? After using the right preparation and painting techniques, you can have professional results for your exterior plaster walls that will last years to come. Start by having the right materials for the job, including the following: 

• Emulsion
• Water
• Masking tape
• Paintbrush/roller
• Topcoat paint

Letting Plaster Dry

If you start with a new plaster wall, you will need to let the plaster dry completely before painting. Wait a few days until any visible damp patches have disappeared. Painting a wet plaster wall will lead to adhesion problems and will cause peeling issues when you try to apply emulsion.

Preparing a Mist Coat 

Mist coats help seal the color of your topcoat and provide a long-lasting finish to your plaster wall. To make your own mist coat, simply mix one part water with three parts emulsion, and continue stirring until your emulsion no longer has water on the surface. Since ratios may vary, always review the instructions available on your emulsion bucket before mixing water. 

Purchasing a pre-mixed water or oil-based primer can save you the trouble of making your own mist coat. However, if you decide to choose your primer, use a similarly colored emulsion as your topcoat to achieve the most even finish while painting. 

Applying Primer

For exterior plaster walls, a roller works best for painting. Using your newly mixed primer, apply smooth upward motions to completely cover your plaster wall. Paint over drips or streaks before they have a chance to dry to avoid an uneven finish. 

Your primer should dry within 24 hours or less after applying the primer. Once fully dried, you can now paint your wall with your topcoat. 

Applying the Topcoat

Can you paint plaster walls in a large “V” motion?  Try this technique to quickly apply your topcoat evenly and efficiently over wide areas. You may need to coat your walls more than once, but with a little patience and consistency, you’ll end up with professionally painted plaster walls. 

Let Original Florida Painting Co. Help Today

For free residential painting quotes in Tampa, FL, contact Original Florida Painting Co. and transform your home today!