Lining paper on lime plaster.

[Abecedarian]

Hi,
Having taken the old wallpaper off I've found that the lime plaster underneath has quite a lot of hairline cracks. The plaster seems solid enough.
If I cover it with lining paper, rather than skimming with plaster, will the all important breathabiliyy be maintained?
Am I right in thinking that the paint coat has more influence here?

Thanks,
Paul.

Also, can I use any paste to apply the paper?

 

[Abi Cott]

Yes breathability is fine with lining paper, but it does depend on the adhesive. Ready mixed adhesives are generally a no go.

From previous research Volvox wallpaper paste is a good one to pick, but I haven't tried it yet.

 

[TheForge]

The suitability of lining paper will depend on many factors, if there is a significant damp issue then lining paper will unlikely last.

Lining paper may be vapour permeable but will significantly reduce the ‘breathability’ of the wall, as will an impermeable paste. The same applies to paint as if you were applying it directly to the plaster.

Is the plaster surface in very poor condition or could you just fill the hairline cracks and paint directly?

 

[malcolm]

I've been using lining paper on bare lime mostly because I could get back to 100-200 year old bare lime in the first place. All the horrid nasty imperiable coatings people had applied over the last 50 years came off with the old lining paper. I mostly refuse to paint on bare lime plaster because that would not be reverseable. http://www.the-salutation.co.uk/blog/2018/06/

Paper lining paper is still widely available. I use LAP cold water paste. The combination will be more breathable than a coat of emulsion on top.

 

[TheForge]

I mostly refuse to paint on bare lime plaster because that would not be reverseable.

There are traditional finishes available that are readily reversible such as soft distemper.

 

[Abecedarian]

Thanks for the replies.

To make the wall good enough for painting directly is going to need skimming, so if lining paper is a viable option I'd like to take it.
This room, as far as I am currently aware, is damp free. This is possibly due to the gale of wind blowing through the sash window but there are no signs of damp anywhere upstairs, so fingers crossed on that front.....
One more thing, do these breathability issues apply to all of the walls or just external walls? Ie, is there any need to worry about inappropriate materials used on the dividing walls within the house?

Many thanks,
Paul.

 

[Abi Cott]

I'm working on the principle that if a wall is made of stone it needs to be breathable, if it isn't it doesn't.

 

[malcolm]

I would go breathable for all the walls. Internal walls without an effective damp course will still suck up a bit of water that will need to go somewhere.

 

[MatthewC]

I would go breathable for all the walls. Internal walls without an effective damp course will still suck up a bit of water that will need to go somewhere.

Downstairs yes, but upstairs of course that doesn't apply to internal walls!