Are there any special requirements for painting or wallpapering plaster?

Plaster is alkaline, and takes some time to cure. Painting: Paint manufacturers recommend waiting 30 days. It needs to be good and dry. If you are going to paint within 30 days, we recommend starting with either oil-based or shellac-based primer, which is best to block moisture. Some people use an alkaline-resistant primer. (Note: Home Depot and other hardware stores sell a white-pigmented shellac primer made by Zinsser (called Ultra Performance B-I-N in a red and white can.) Some paint stores recommend a flat Masonry Primer. Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) primers should never be used over a plaster finish, as they will cause bond loss and paint delamination. After 30 days there are no special requirements. Our surfaces are left very smooth and polished. Do not sand the plaster - it is not necessary to make the primer adhere. Sanding will only mar and weaken the hard-packed and polished surface. Wallpapering: Plaster must be completely dry before installing wallpaper. Once dry, an acrylic ...  more

Plaster is alkaline, and takes some time to cure. Painting: If you are going to paint within 30 days, we recommend starting with either an oil alkyd primer or alkaline-resistant primer. Some paint stores recommend a Masonry Primer. Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) primers should never be used over a plaster finish as it will cause bond loss and paint delamination. After 30 days there are no special requirements. Our surfaces are left very smooth and polished. Do not sand the plaster - it is not necessary to make the primer adhere. Sanding will only mar and weaken the hard-packed and polished surface. Wallpapering: Plaster must be completely dry before installing wallpaper. Once dry, an acrylic primer/sealer should be used before putting up wallpaper.  more