Mist coat for plastered walls.

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Hi. I've got a load of newly plastered walls to decorate. There now dry. I've been reading up about applying mist coat before my choice of emulsion paint. It's all a bit confusing everything I read gives a different ratio of paint to water. What ratio have others used that has worked out alright.
Any general pointers and tips greatly appreciated too xx

I also read anywhere between 50/50 and 90/10 (10 water) when I was researching the same thing, but the more experienced consensus seemed to be that more water was better.

I aimed for 50/50 each time, but found that a bit too sloppy (it goes evvverrrywhere) so ended up around roughly 70/30-60/40 and it's worked out fine.

Make sure you use a proper matt and not a vinyl matt.

Yes, I'd use half water half emulsion as well.

I did 50/50 matt white, just used some cheap Wickes stuff. Make sure it's not vinyl.

We used half & half. It worked out fine. Used cheap paint as well.

We used the Screwfix No Nonsense trade Bare walls plaster paint , which is actually designed for the job , it worked very well .

We’ve done up a few houses now. I know everyone goes on about mist coating, but we’ve never bothered and have always been happy with the finish. To be honest, when we have paid to have it done we can never tell see the difference and DH is spectacularly fussy and is happy to spend ££££ on a high spec finish...

You run the risk of your paint peeling off if you do not mist coat - the plaster will suck the water out of the paint and the rest will peel off.

Thanks all. Think I will start off with nearer 50/50 then and thicken up a bit if it all gets a bit splashy. It totally makes sense the thinner the better so it can really soak in to the plaster. I hope I can wizz round quickly with it.

I hope the paint I got is ok. I take it that if it was vinyl it would be printed obviously on the front?

If all else fails, read the instructions.

I tend to thin mine more than that, but then you need at least two coats, as it soaks in and disappears.

you know you have sealed the surface when it no longer sucks the moisture off your brush.

p.s.

you mention vinyl. Emulsion paint will be vinyl unless it says otherwise. Non-vinyl is used on plaster that is damp and still drying out. It may be called "paint for new plaster" but Dulux Supermatt is I'd say the best known brand. These paints are not very durable but they make the place look decent until you get round to applying your long-term finish.

If the house is newly built and the walls were standing in the rain before the roof went on, they take about a month per inch of thickness to dry. If it is an old house and the walls were dry before plastering it will only take a couple of weeks.

The plaster will go from shiny chocolate to dull, dusty pink as it dries out. If there is a wet brick underneath or damp patch you will see the dark colour remain.

I just mist coated the lounge tonight with a 50/50 mix. Ready for a coat of white on the ceiling and above picture rail height tomorrow / Monday. I always aim for 50/50. Goes on quickly but be aware if can splash lots.