McCONNELLS

SURFACE PREPARATION
PLASTER, CEMENT, BRICK & STONE

INTRODUCTION

Dry Surfaces:
Difficulties are not normally experienced when decorative paint systems are applied
to new, sound, dry surfaces.

Wet Surfaces:
Special care should be taken if decoration must be applied to surfaces before the
building fabric has dried out. In these conditions, paint films are liable to chemical
attack from alkalis. Oil paint applied to damp surfaces will not adhere and may
blister or peel. Initial decoration should be confined to emulsion and water paint until
the building is completely dry. These paints are porous and allow the natural drying-
out process to continue.

Where efflorescence, a crystalline deposit is present on the surface, brush off

regularly until the formation of crystals ceases. Efflorescence is caused by salts
brought to the surface during the drying-out process, and will occur until the drying-
out is complete. Paint must not be applied until efflorescence ceases.

PLASTERS

Lightweight Plaster: Correctly applied over a uniform backing, these plasters provide
a smooth surface of even porosity which is very easy to decorate. ‘Over troweled’ and
incorrectly applied plaster will provide a surface of uneven porosity, resulting in
patchiness of colour when paint is applied.

Hardwall Plaster:
This forms an exceptionally hard surface, and when correctly applied, presents no
decoration problems.

Incorrect application can result in variable porosity, and consequently a degree of

colour-patchiness when painted, although not to the extent experienced with
incorrectly applied lightweight plaster.

TECHNICAL ADVISORY:
The information contained in this Technical Data sheet is based on many years experience and usage of the product. However, all
recommendations and suggestions are made without guarantee, since the conditions of use are beyond our control.
More detailed Technical Data Sheets are available on request.

www.mcconnellspaints.com Industrial Coatings, Adhesives and Paint

Manufacturers Ireland
 McCONNELLS
SURFACE PREPARATION
PLASTER, CEMENT, BRICK & STONE

Lime Plaster:
The hardness of these plasters varies according to the lime content. They are usually
highly porous, reducing the spreading capacity of the paint, especially the first coat,
but invariably a good solid colour is obtained when decorated. Because of their high
alkaline content when new and reasonably dry, lime plaster surfaces should initially
be decorated with water paints systems such as Keim Mineral Silicate paints, or
emulsion paints.

Spray Applied Plaster:

When dry, this provides a hard surface of uniform suction which is easy to paint.

Acoustic Plaster:
Due to their porosity, these plasters are usually spray-painted. Water based paint
systems such as Keim Mineral Silicate paints, or emulsion paints may be used.

Fibrous Plaster:
A primer coat is required before decoration, since these plasters are highly porous.

CEMENT & CONCRETE

Cement Rendered Surfaces:

Provided they are correctly applied over uniform substrates, these present no
decoration problems. Incorrect mixing and application will however cause variable
porosity and unevenness of texture, resulting in an unsatisfactory paint finish. Newly-
applied renderings are highly alkaline and initial decoration should consist of emulsion
and water paints.

High Density Concrete:

The surface of cast-in-situ concrete varies from rough to smooth, according to the
type of shuttering used. It usually has a high moisture and alkaline content, and
initial decoration must be restricted to emulsion and water paints. Pre-cast concrete
for industrial buildings has a very smooth surface, equal to that of good plastering,
and because of its dryness and low porosity, can be decorated immediately with most
types of paint finishes.

TECHNICAL ADVISORY:
The information contained in this Technical Data sheet is based on many years experience and usage of the product. However, all
recommendations and suggestions are made without guarantee, since the conditions of use are beyond our control.
More detailed Technical Data Sheets are available on request.

www.mcconnellspaints.com Industrial Coatings, Adhesives and Paint

Manufacturers Ireland
 McCONNELLS
SURFACE PREPARATION
PLASTER, CEMENT, BRICK & STONE

BRICK & STONE

The guidance given regarding wet surfaces should be followed. In addition, it should
be noted that “underfired” common bricks can contain salts which will damage and
discolour paintwork applied before the brickwork is dry. Stonework is not usually
painted, but when decoration is required, ensure that the surface is sound, clean and
dry.

Revision reference: 2. Issued on 22/08/2009

TECHNICAL ADVISORY:
The information contained in this Technical Data sheet is based on many years experience and usage of the product. However, all
recommendations and suggestions are made without guarantee, since the conditions of use are beyond our control.
More detailed Technical Data Sheets are available on request.
TECHNICAL ADVISORY:
www.mcconnellspaints.com Industrial
The information contained in this Technical Data sheet is basedCoatings, Adhesives
on many years experience and
and usage Paint
of the product. However,
Manufacturers Ireland
all recommendations and suggestions are made without guarantee, since the conditions of use are beyond our control.
More detailed Technical Data Sheets are available on request.