Too many decorators are still using cheap contract matt to prime bare plaster. It’s an old-school approach and you shouldn’t do it in modern decorating. There’s no need.
I see it all the time on the Decorators Forum UK. People arguing that, “contract matt allows plaster to breathe”. Well yes, it does, until you coat over the top of it with something that doesn’t. So that argument is null and void.
Or another one I see is, “you don’t prime plaster with a paint full of vinyl because it creates a film”. A film? A vinyl or durable matt will adhere to bare plaster better than it will a contract matt. You’re literally giving the paint less chance of sticking.
The best one, “it’s cheaper than vinyl matt so you’re saving money”. Absolute poppycock!! If I’m using a vinyl matt and I’m faced with bare plaster, I give it 2 coats of vinyl matt. You give it a coat of contract matt and then 2 coats of vinyl matt. How is your way cheaper??
The Right Way to Mist Coat Bare Plaster
For the love of God, follow the manufacturer’s instructions!! They are there for a reason and no decorator is qualified enough to know better than the scientists who make the paint. Every vinyl matt I know of tells you to use a diluted vinyl matt to mist. With the exception of Tikkurila Optiva 5 and Farrow and Ball Modern emulsion, every durable matt I know of tells you to use durable matt as a mist coat. Even acrylic eggshells are the same!
Paint sticks better to bare plaster than it does a cheap chalky contract matt. The contract matt is your weak link. I don’t understand why decorators still want to use the stuff. The only time it is ok to use contract matt is when you’re house bashing.
FAQs
What is contract Matt paint used for?
Contract matt is generally used as a “builders finish” on new build houses. This is for a few reasons;
You can use it on plaster that isn’t fully dry.
Contract matt is easy to touch up, or “patch” if other trades damage the walls.
But mostly because it’s cheap. Contract matt is less than half the price of vinyl matt, so a contractor is saving around £400 on materials throughout the house.
Can you use contract matt on new plaster?
You can use contract matt on new plaster, but as the blog above explains, you should not use it as a primer before applying different types of paint.
What’s the difference between vinyl Matt and contract Matt?
The difference between vinyl matt and contract matt is the “vinyl”. This is a polymer resin that is added to paint to bind all the other materials. Vinyl matt contains more polymer binder than contract matt, meaning it is more durable and less porous.
Final Thoughts
Some decorators are stuck in their ways and will carry on using contract matt as a mist coat. It doesn’t matter what I tell them, or what it says on the tin of paint. All you hear is “I’ve been doing it this way for x amount of years and never had a problem”, or “this is how I was taught in collage”.
However, using contract matt does cause issues. Maybe not straight away, but over time you’ll get flaking. Paint has changed, so the way we decorate needs to change too.
What Other Decorators Have to Say
I use whatever is specified by the manufacturer for the finish product, usually a diluted coat of the same.
OR a 60/40 mix of Goodhome T&D. It may not be as good as it used to be as a straight emulsion, but it provides an excellent sealing base. 👍🏻
I always use MacPherson Eclipse for mist coating. It has better coverage and it’s easy to roll with a 15% water mix. I have used contract emulsion many times with decent results. When I was an apprentice back in 79, we used Crown and Dulux paint for mist coating. That’s probably why the painting looked better back then on new builds, unlike today when house bashers leave an inferior job, bumping mist coats and undercoat and filling etc.
I always ease down vinyl matt to miss coat. I always have over the past 40 odd years and I’ve never had a problem.
If the plaster is completely dry or if painting plasterboard, I tend to use a watered-down coat of the paint I’m using as a topcoat. The higher the vinyl content the more water I use.
If the plaster isn’t completely dry, then it isn’t ready for paint in theory. So, why would you use a contract matt to mist then put vinyl over the top and trap moisture?
I don’t mist coat if I’m using matt emulsion as a finish coat. I just apply two coats of matt.
I used to use contract matt all the time as a mist coat, but over recent years I just dilute the finish paint as per manufacturers guidelines. It all depends on the plastering sometimes you get that over polished plaster that’s got a sheen to it, so when I come across this, I use a primer sealer just to be on the safe side. The headline “don’t use contract matt as a mist coat” is misleading as It is an option you can still use.
I have always used contract matt watered down as a mist coat. I can honestly say I have never had a problem.
I’ve always used what ever vinyl Matt I have left over in the garage. I just use it watered down about 30% then over the top with two coats of whatever the finish colour is to be. In 40 yrs never had a problem
I actually worked with contract matt last weekend for the first time in 43 years’ Painting. I think it was Leyland White. I found it OK for the Ceilings but the vinyl wallboard was heavily dirty in places. Washed it , primed any marked and still stained areas. Then coated it twice. It reminded me of coatings in the 80’s when you had the old synthetic rollers which were OK for a couple of dips, then awful. It was like a fight to get the stuff on the walls. Thank God it wasn’t new plaster work.
You are absolutely right I’ve had this argument for years also many painters use white contract which is ridiculous when using colours as need an extra coat to cover the white
Another failing seems the use of contract matt to seal bare plaster before wallpapering. The wallpaper paste softens and lifts the contract matt.
Hi so if i wanted to use john moores ceiling paint on new plaster 50 m2 what would you recomend.
Is it worth usinng an armstead vinyl first or do i have to suck it up and just use more johnmoores.
Is there any way of saving money here, end of home extension and busget is gone but want a decent finsh after all the hard work
thanks mark
Hi mike can I ask what you suggest doing if you do in fact do a mist coat using the contract matt? We were misinformed and have done a coat with it, only to find out we shouldn’t have. The paint is not peeling but I’m keen to rectify the situation.
Cheers
It’s still a 3 coat system regardless if you’re doing it properly.
I have never had any problems using contract as a mist, it’s what the paint is designed for, needs to soak into the plaster. The only problem i see is people not thinning it down enough. Oh well, after 20 years i’m better off sticking to what i know is tried and tested and worked.
Hi I have just used a diluted contract Matt on my new plaster I have only done one coat which I thought was ok I want to use a durable Matt paint now on bathroom ceiling but have read this may be an issue as it may not bond to the diluted contract Matt. Please advise
It isn’t ideal, but 9 times out of 10 you’ll be fine. Just heavily dilute your first coat of durable matt
Isn’t it about satisfying the porosity of the new plaster to get a good key for the paint films to adhere too?
A contract matt allows the plaster to dry and breath as well as provide a key for the emulsions to be applied too !
All emulsions dry by coalensence and evaporation.
I’ve used contract Matt for 30 plus years and never had a problem!
Hi Mike
We use contract Matt all the time on new plaster, like all other painters & decorators most paint manufacturers specify that process unless they ask for a specific finish, Dulux trade Supermatt is also a good product for new plaster
Hi, which paint manufacturers? Sticking with Dulux, you’re supposed to use their vinyl matt to mist with their vinyl matt as a top. Their diamond matt to mist for diamond as a top. Armstead vinyl to mist when using it as a top. Armstead durable to mist, when using Armstead durable as a top.
Hi all… I have worked with many decorators over the years and we nearly all work the same way.
Check data sheets before you start on all products materials And brands change.
Mist coat in a trade white…
Sand back
Coat of Clients colour
Sand
Second coat of clients colour.
Hi, am currenlty getting quotes to decorate a new extension – all new plaster throughout. One guy came to quote today and said that misting the new plaster is old hat. He uses two coats of the chosen paint and its all fine. Is he right?
I’ve always beleived it needed the watered down caot first, regardless. Thoughts please
Always rub down new plaster with high graded number 600, helps to break down polished plaster. Seal with Zinsser Gardz and apply Zinsser All Coat. Works every time. PVA and Unibond solutions applied by plasterer react with the 1st coat.
Mist coats of emulsion can work if you adopt this practice but follow advice above and you should have no problems.
Interesting post , thanks for sharing I’ve been in the trade 30 years shows your never too old to learn or change , thanks again 👌
yes and no. your correct can use almost any paint for mist coat. however bare plaster is a 3 coat system for me especially getting whites to a solid colour. so a coat of thinned contract matt and 2 tops is cheaper than 3 tops. plus filling/caulking and sanding should be done after mist. contract matt doesn’t cause adhesion issues and it’s not chalky where it will rub off on your hand. the stuff is literally designed for new plaster and then to be painted over at some point. it does remain porous so thin first top coat down 10%. never had an issue as a pro decorator for 25 years.
Great advice.thank you
If you have used contract matt as a mist coat, What is the best way to remedy poor adhesion with your final coat
I’m doing a self build. Plasterers finished and I’m ready to paint. I was going to use johnstones vinyl matt paint and thought I’d ring their technical line about the mist coat. Chap there advised not to use contract matt as its rubbish paint buy just thin the vinyl matt. Just like you said. Builders only use contract matt as its cheap.
The voice of reason! I love it!