House painting
Painting a newly built house in Gwalior: the right order of work
Why new plaster needs patience
Fresh cement plaster holds a lot of water and is strongly alkaline while it cures. Paint applied too early can lose colour in patches, show salt marks or blister. On a new house in Gwalior, the hot dry months help plaster dry faster on the surface, but thick walls can stay wet inside. Check corners and the lower part of ground floor walls, which dry last.
Waterproof before you decorate
A new house is the cheapest time to waterproof. Before the inside walls get putty, treat:
- The roof slab and parapet joints
- Bathroom floors and the lower part of bathroom walls
- Sunshades, window sills and exposed west and south walls
Berger’s HomeShield range has products for each of these, for example Berger HomeShield Latex Shield 2K for wet areas and roofs.
Primer, putty, primer, paint
On new plaster, a cement primer such as Berger BP Cement Primer (WT) seals the surface so putty and paint grip evenly. For interiors, two thin coats of putty give a smooth wall; Berger Bison Wall Putty suits most homes and Berger Happy Wall Acrylic Putty is a ready-to-use acrylic option. Sand the putty, wipe the dust, prime again if the product data sheet says so, then apply two coats of emulsion.
For the exterior, skip putty. Use an exterior primer and an exterior emulsion such as Berger WeatherCoat Champ.
Plan colours with the builder early
Decide shade codes before the painter starts, and tell the electrician and carpenter which walls will get dark colours, since fixing switchboards later leaves marks. If you are building in Gwalior city, our free site visit can be booked once plaster is complete, and we will give you a stage-wise material list.
Before the painter starts: a short checklist
- Fix leaks and damp first; paint will not stop water coming through a wall
- Scrape loose and flaking paint; sand glossy patches so the new coat grips
- Fill cracks, then prime repaired spots and any bare plaster
- Use putty only where the wall is uneven, and sand it smooth
- Cover floors and furniture; remove switch plates and fittings
- Note the shade code of every tin, so a later top-up matches
Questions to ask your painter before work starts
- Which walls need scraping, primer or putty, and which do not?
- How many coats of each product are included in the price?
- Who supplies material, and will you show me the sealed tins and shade codes?
- How will furniture, floors and fittings be protected?
- How many days will the job take, and how long between coats?
Berger products that suit this job
| Product | Range | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Berger BP Cement Primer (WT) | Economy | BP Cement Primer (WT) is a water-thinned acrylic primer with low smell. |
| Berger Bison Wall Putty | Economy | Bison Wall Putty is a white cement-based powder putty for interior and exterior walls. |
| Berger Happy Wall Acrylic Putty | Premium | Happy Wall Acrylic Putty is a ready-to-use acrylic putty with a buttery consistency. |
| Berger WeatherCoat Champ | Premium | WeatherCoat Champ is a weatherproof acrylic emulsion with a soft sheen and strong film. |
| Berger HomeShield Latex Shield 2K | Premium | HomeShield Latex Shield 2K is a two-component polymer waterproofing for concrete, brick and block work. |
Buying Berger outside Gwalior city
PT Enterprises supplies more than 70 Berger dealers across the Gwalior region, so the products in this guide are available in Gwalior, Morena, Bhind, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Datia, Guna, Ashoknagar. Call or WhatsApp +91 77559 81105 and we will tell you the nearest dealer and check stock.
Useful next steps
- Free site visit and estimate in Gwalior
- Painting service in Gwalior
- Colour consultation
- Our Berger DOCO store in Gwalior
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip putty to save money in a new house?
You can on walls that are already smooth, or if you like a slightly textured look. Putty mainly gives a smooth finish; it is not waterproofing.
Should the exterior also get putty?
Normal wall putty is meant for interiors. Outside, use an exterior primer and exterior emulsion directly on well-finished plaster.
Do contractors get bulk supply?
Yes. Builders and contractors can order site quantities from our Gwalior store or through dealers in other districts. Call +91 77559 81105.
About this guide: written by the team at PT Enterprises, the authorised Berger Paints distributor for the Gwalior region, which supplies dealers in eight districts and runs a Berger DOCO store in Gwalior. Product details follow Berger’s published data sheets; check the data sheet of your exact product for coverage, coats and drying time.
