Latex paint is an economical way to seal horse hair plaster walls.
Horse hair is a strong, durable fiber with a multitude of uses, including plaster. The long strands of the mane and tail were cut and mixed into the plaster base before being applied to the wall. The hair fibers reinforced the plaster and made the material much more durable. Modern compounds have made traditional horse hair plaster obsolete, although it can be sealed and preserved using these new materials.
Instructions
1. Move all furniture to the center of the room and spread drop cloths along the bottom of the wall. Tape each cloth to the wall as far down as possible to prevent damage to the floors. Masking tape works well as it is sticky enough to hold the cloths in place but will not damage the wall while removing it.
2. Fill the mud pan with drywall compound, scooping it from the container using the putty knife. Mix thoroughly inside the pan to combine and apply a quarter-sized amount of compound to any cracks or holes in the wall. Press the compound into the existing plaster, holding the putty knife at a 45-degree angle to force the compound into the spaces. It is necessary to seal all holes before painting to stabilize the plaster and keep the edges of the holes from disintegrating as you paint.
3. Allow each filled spot to dry completely before applying the next layer of compound, until the filled space is flush with the existing wall. If the finished spot sticks out from the wall, dampen a sponge and gently rub it back-and-forth over the spot to sand it flush. Leave the compound to dry for a minimum of 24 hours to harden completely before painting.
4. Pour any color latex paint in the paint pan and paint along the top and bottom edge of each wall with the brush. Use the roller to fill in the remainder of the wall, allowing the first coat to dry for one hour before applying a second coat. Latex paint seals the horse-hair plaster, trapping moisture inside and preventing the wall from drying out and crumbling.
5. Remove the masking tape from the wall and roll up the drop cloths, taking care not to get any paint from the cloths on the floor. Move the furniture back into place once the walls are completely dry.
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