How to seal a plaster wall which is not to be painted.

[neville1983]

Hi,
I have just finished plastering a bedroom and have decided to keep the plaster walls as they are (ie unpainted). I will need to seal the walls, but unsure of what product to use.
I would normally use water down emulsion, but as i am leaving the plaster exposed I am unsure what to do.
I would like the surface to have a slight sheen.
I came across a forum that mentioned using linseed oil. Do you think this would be a good idea. Is linseed oil not flammable and rather smelly?
Would a very water downed solution of pva to water be ok?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,

Neville

 

[AdrianMealing]

Why not get a paint in the colour of the plaster, mist coat first with basic 50/50 white emulsion water, then paint with a soft sheen or similar mixed by Dulux Trade or the likes, PVA should not be used in my opinion, and any form of oil base will mean you could not paint or paper in the future, it may not be you that has to do that but what if you want to sell the property?

 

[Alastairreid]

http://www.dulux.co.uk/products/info/plaster_sealer.jsp

 

[misterhelpful]

Zinsser Gardz dries to a clear waterproof finish and doesn't really need decorating over whereas the Dulux version should really be painted/papered over.

http://zinsseruk.com/shop/Product.aspx?cId=130&pgId=359

 

[neville1983]

Thanks for the advice.
Curious to know why you wouldn't use a water down PVA solution?
Thanks

 

[misterhelpful]

PVA re-activates with water contact so would become sticky if you were to wash the walls. It is also not suitable for use with paint so would cause problems if you ever decided to paint it in future.

 

[neville1983]

Thanks. Will definitely not use PVA!
I have some Johnstones water based polyurethane varnish. If I watered this down, do you think this would be ok to use?
Would i be able to paint over that surface in future if needed?
Thanks

 

[misterhelpful]

I have some Johnstones water based polyurethane varnish. If I watered this down, do you think this would be ok to use?
Would i be able to paint over that surface in future...?

Can't say I've ever tried varnish on plaster so honestly don't know. I imagine it would peel in time, so personally wouldn't risk it.
If you do and it does work, then theoretically, you should be able to paint over it at a later date but it will probably need sanding or a multi-surface primer to provide a key.