I hear you on mineral paint not being as tough as modern acrylics, but I actually think the trade-off is worth it, especially for old plaster. That “breathing” quality you mentioned is huge—
—and honestly, I’d rather have to scrub a bit harder than risk trapping moisture and ending up with peeling or mold. Casein’s decent, but in my experience it can yellow over time, especially in sunny spots. For me, mineral’s durability is “good enough” if you’re realistic about touch-ups. Kids and dogs just mean you’re painting more often, no matter what you use...mineral paint seems to “breathe” with the wall, which is great for old plaster that needs to release moisture
I’ve had the same experience with mineral paint on old plaster—there’s just something about how it lets the walls “breathe” that feels right for these older homes. I get the temptation to go for tougher acrylics, especially with pets and kids running around, but every time I’ve tried a modern paint on my 1920s walls, it’s ended up peeling or bubbling within a year or two. The moisture just has nowhere to go.
Casein’s a bit of a mixed bag for me too. I love the matte look, but I’ve noticed yellowing in sunlit rooms, especially where the afternoon light hits hardest. Mineral paint seems to hold up better, even if it means more frequent touch-ups. Honestly, I’d rather spend an afternoon repainting a scuffed patch than deal with mold creeping behind a plastic-y paint film.
One trick I’ve found: using a tinted mineral primer helps with coverage and makes touch-ups blend in better. It’s not perfect, but it keeps things looking fresh without sacrificing the health of the walls—or the planet, for that matter.
Yeah, I’m with you on mineral paint being the best bet for old plaster. Every time I’ve tried to “modernize” with acrylics or latex, it’s like asking for trouble—peeling, bubbling, all that mess. I’ve had better luck with limewash too, especially in rooms that get a lot of moisture. The touch-ups are annoying, but at least I’m not ripping off half the wall to fix mold. Haven’t tried the tinted primer trick, but now I’m curious... might save me some headaches matching paint next time.
Tinted primer’s a solid move, especially if you’re working with tricky colors or patchy old walls. I’ve used it a couple times when I couldn’t get a perfect match on touch-ups—saves a lot of hassle. Just make sure the primer’s compatible with whatever topcoat you’re using. Had one job where the primer and paint didn’t play nice, and I ended up sanding more than I painted... Not fun. Limewash is great for breathability, but yeah, it does need more upkeep. Still beats peeling latex any day.
Yeah, I’ve run into that primer/paint compatibility mess too—nothing like thinking you’re almost done and then realizing you’ve gotta start over. I lean toward mineral paints or clay-based stuff when I can get it. They’re not as bulletproof as latex, but at least you’re not breathing in a bunch of chemicals while you work. Limewash is cool, but honestly, the upkeep can get old if you’ve got kids or pets running around. Still, I’d rather touch up a wall than deal with peeling plastic paint down the line.