Redecorating lime walls

[Louise C]

Hi,
We’ve just gone through the painful process of removing 1980s woodchip from our hallway, stairs and landing. Thankfully the lime plastered walls were in relatively good nick and have only required a few bits of patching.
We are about to start redecorating and have a decorator coming next week to start prepping with the intention to line everything with lining paper before painting. However, in his most recent message he’s said that before he puts the paper up he will paint everything in a thin coat of emulsion to show up imperfections to see where needs filling/sanding.

Having just spent a fair bit of effort trying to save the original plaster, I’m keen not to mess things up. Is the emulsion going to cause issues? Is there something he could/should use instead?
Am I overthinking things?

 

[skierhughes]

using emulsion is not good.
But then again using lining paper isn't that good either, mostly depending on the paste that is used. Modern pastes contain loads of plastics and aren't really breathable, and some lining papers are the same so if you are going to use it, may as well use the emulsion.
The option is to use more natural pastes and basic paper lining paper.

 

[paulc]

using emulsion is not good.
But then again using lining paper isn't that good either, mostly depending on the paste that is used. Modern pastes contain loads of plastics and aren't really breathable, and some lining papers are the same so if you are going to use it, may as well use the emulsion.
The option is to use more natural pastes and basic paper lining paper.

Agreed, emulsion is probably not the best idea. But I'm not convinced that modern pastes & lining papers contain large quantities of plastics. Yes, the ready mixed pastes often contain polymers.. However, looking at something like the Solvite powders, the main ingredient appears to be a modified starch with the addition of a biocide. If one goes for a traditional non-woven lining paper, and there appears to be a wide selection available, these are unlikely to contain vinyl.
Certainly avoid the "insulating" lining papers as many have a plastic core and don't really provide any insulation worth talking about.

The paints used on top of any lining paper should be given some thought if you wish to maintain breathability and reduce the amount of plastic used.

 

[Louise C]

Hi both,

Thanks - yes, much thought has already been given to paste, paper and paint to go on top of lining paper. Which was why I was thrown by the thin emulsion suggestion.
I guess I was asking, if it’s thinned is it still a problem? Sound like, yes. Any suggestions on anything else he could use instead?

 

[a twig]

Limewash?

 

[skierhughes]

or distemper.

My Uncle, a painter and decorator of years and years, could always pick out imperfections by eye and if he couldn't see them, then they weren't worth worrying about.
If you can't or he can't see them now, you are very unlikely to be able to make them out after putting paper up. Same as my father in law, a carpenter, he'd say, that's a 1/16 out and it was. I don't have any such eye.

May I ask why you are papering, if you do intend to just paint with an appropriate paint afterwards? Why not just paint onto the plaster. I understand it's not going to be as flat as a pancake, but it is old and characterful.