Journal / Paints
Putty, primer, paint: the right sequence for new walls
By the Interiors Wallah site team · Published · Updated · 2 min read
Paint is the last thing applied to a wall and the first thing blamed when something goes wrong. In practice, most paint problems are decided before the tin is opened. This is the sequence we follow on new walls, and why each step is there.
Step by step
- Let the plaster cure and dry. New cement plaster holds water for weeks. Painting over a damp wall traps moisture, which later shows as patches, bubbles or flaking.
- Check and repair. Hollow plaster, cracks and damp spots are marked and treated first. Putty is not a repair material.
- First coat of putty. This fills pores and small undulations.
- Second coat of putty, then sanding. The wall is sanded with a light held along its surface, so every ridge shows up before paint does.
- Primer. One coat seals the putty so the paint sits on the surface evenly and bonds to it.
- First coat of emulsion.
- Second coat of emulsion. Applied after the first has dried, in the same direction and from the same batch.
Repainting is shorter
A wall that was painted properly before does not need the full system. Loose paint is scraped, cracks are filled, patches get touch-up putty and are sanded, and the wall receives one coat of primer and two coats of paint.
How long it takes
| Job | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Repainting a two-bedroom flat | 4 to 6 working days |
| Fresh painting with full putty, or an occupied home | 6 to 10 working days |
| Preparation alone | 1 to 3 days |
Villas, hotel floors and whole towers are planned room by room or floor by floor, with the crew size set by the handover date.
The shortcuts that cost the most
- Painting before the wall is dry. The most common cause of patchy, peeling paint in new buildings.
- One coat of putty where two are needed. The wall looks fine until evening light falls along it.
- Skipping primer. Saves a day and costs the finish: poor coverage, uneven sheen, weak adhesion.
- Thinning paint too much. Stretches the material and leaves a film too thin to wash.
- Not masking. Paint on switches, floors and joinery takes longer to clean than masking would have taken.
What to ask for in a quotation
A good quotation names the putty, primer and paint by product, states the number of coats of each, and says what is included for masking and cleaning. If it only says "painting, per square foot", the missing details will be decided on site, and not in your favour.
To have your walls checked before painting starts, send us the project details.