How soon do I need to paint after applying undercoat?

Hi, we’re moving into a house that is decorated in very dark and bright colours. It’s not our cup of tea and we just want to cover the walls before moving in. We won’t have no time choose the final paint colours and decorate for good few weeks. So for now we just thought of covering walls in undercoat.

How long can we leave the undercoat for after covering the the walls with it? I’ve read that primers loose their effectiveness after about 48 hours we would need to prime again just before painting. Does the same thing happen with undercoat? In which case, should we paint the walls in cheap white paint on top of the undercoat too for now? Many thanks for your guidance!

P.S. the walls are in pretty good state - no marks, stains, cracks.

Asked by Dovile on 22nd Jun 2021
Expert Trade Answers
"Hello to be honest as long as the walls are clean just miss-coat all walls and that will bring a nice bright White walls and that will dry 1 to 2 hours do depending on how warm the room is. Then you can decide if you want Colour or leave it as white."
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since Jan 2021 - report
"Hi....If walls are grease and dirt free then use a decent Emulsion( waterbased) apply a good coat to cover what you have already. Ideally then leave for 4 hours,it will feel dry between 1-2 hours but a top coat could lift the bottom coat if not totally dry.
Good luck & happy days to come."
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since Oct 2020 - report
"Undercoat is for wood. For the walls use Emulsion. Paint the walls in Emulsion 1 or 2 coats so that you are 100% sure that the top coat will cover the dark and bright colours."
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since Feb 2021 - report
"Hi as undercoat paint you don’t use on walls just emulation paint and will take 3 to 4 coats to cover anyway so if your coverage is just to cover the colour for the time being before you move in this will be ok and give the wall two are three more coats of emulation when you move in."
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since Aug 2016 - report
"I'd only undercoat the wall if they are bad, if they're in good state don't use undercoat use McPhersons eclipse or Amsted contract you can get for 20 litre tubs £40 to £50 pound which will be a good base coat for now till you both decide what you final decor will be"
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since Nov 2020 - report
"The paint should be matt emulsion paint for one the next it's best to used the paint of choice to tone the colours back for saving money"
Answered on 28th Jun 2021 - Member since Nov 2019 - report
"Hi all you need to do is paint your walls with two coats of white matt, that will cover the colours you dont like and prepare your wall for your finished colour. You dont need an undercoat as that's an oil base finish, that's what they use to used in the old day, now its all water base paint so only use vinyl Matt or contract matt will do the job for you."
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since Jan 2020 - report
"Hi there, its Teddy here

When painting on dark colours do undercoat them 1st with a white undercoat or white emulsion paint, let it dry well before painting with the finishing paints of your choice.

On the bright colours is straight forward paint with your chosen colours and be happy again

hope this helps

Glorious Wright
Teddy"
Answered on 1st Jul 2021 - Member since Jan 2021 - report
"Seems from your question that you are referring to a Wall. Well get a emulsion colour of your choice.
Then you have to use a Roller ( sorry if this will be your first time to use that ) but is more quicker and covers well..

You will have to apply for 2 coat at least ( depend on the old colour wall , if is red , purple ) you will have to apply it 3 times ..

This coat can be done minimum of 2 hrs interval ..
Hope this help"
Answered on 23rd Jun 2021 - Member since Feb 2021 - report
"Once its dry to the touch, meaning it doesn't stick to your hands when you touch it. It could take 1 to 2 hours or less based on the ventilation of the room and the amount of light its exposed to."
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since May 2021 - report
"It should be ok to leave the undercoat for a few weeks as long as it stays clean of mark’s or stains."
Answered on 22nd Jun 2021 - Member since Sep 2020 - report
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