I normally use Tikkurila optiva primer as a mist coat on bare plaster, but due to a shortage, I had to try something else.
Then I remembered someone on The Decorators Forum UK recommending this No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint. So, I thought I’d try it and give you a quick review.
No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint is basically a contract matt. It is designed for use on, you guessed it, bare plaster! It allows the plaster to breathe, meaning it is the ideal paint for newly plastered walls and ceilings. However, it isn’t very durable.
This paint is currently £28 for 10 litres, which is quite expensive for a contract matt. You do notice the difference in quality between this paint and a budget brand like Armstead contract matt.
No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint is touch dry after around an hour, and you can recoat a surface after 2-3 hours. However, you can apply two coats in quick succession when spraying.
My No Nonsense Trade Bare Plaster Paint Review
Well, I must say very impressed. You can heavily dilute the first coat and it still offers great opacity!! The second coat goes on well and looks solid, so no need for a third. Looks good too!! You can’t really ask for anything else from a contract matt. I would happily use No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint on more of my jobs as a professional decorator. In fact, I think I will. It’s just a shame it doesn’t come in any tinted colours.
Review Summary
No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint Review - Decorator's forum UK
This is basically a contract matt designed to prime bare plaster before applying additional products.
Product Brand: No Nonsense
3.5
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Clear instructions.
- Good opacity.
Cons
- “Bare plaster paint” is overused by many. Most emulsion paints do not require additional primers.
Best Tools to Use to Apply No Nonsense Trade Bare Plaster Paint
No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint is like any other contract matt, in that it can drag as you apply it. It’s easy to overcome this, but you need to use the correct tools for the job. Unless you’re spraying, you’ll need a brush with a thick stock and a long pile roller. Get the correct tools and you’ll make life a lot easier for yourself.
The Purdy Colossus is your best bet for a paint roller. It has a thick pile which holds loads of paint and seems to go for miles. Just de-lint it with masking tape before you start. Available online here.
There are a few paintbrushes that will do a job in No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint, but I like the Purdy Monarch Elite. It holds loads of paint and it isn’t too soft. Available online by clicking here.
FAQs
Is No Nonsense paint any good?
No Nonsense paint falls into the “contractor paint” category, meaning its target customers are Handymen, Multi-Trades, Builders and Professional Decorators. You’ll find the quality better than retail paint, but not quite as good as a lot of trade products.
That said, the No Nonsense Bare Plaster Paint is awesome. Two coats on bare plaster and you’ll have a solid colour.
Why use bare plaster paint?
Bare paster paint does a couple of things. Firstly, it allows plaster to breathe, which is great if it isn’t fully dry. It also acts as a primer and creates the perfect base for other products.
Can I use PVA to seal plaster before painting?
Do not use PVA to seal plaster before painting it!! This is a myth and can lead to problems with adhesion and crazing.
On a budget, can this be used as the top coat too? As in just 2/3 coats of this without any other paint on top.
I have put a coat on for now on fresh plaster, but just wondering if it is okay to just put another 2 on and leave it at that?
This Trade Bare Plaster paint says on the tub that the wet plaster can ‘breath’ and continue to dry after the paint has been applied, and dried. Thus is this a ‘breathable’ paint suitable for lime mortar and Cob walls?
Do I need to use different pair to top coat or is this ok as a top coat