Is painter's fleece useful for gypsum plasterboards when using Silicate paint?

Hello everyone,

I want to paint my new drywall partitions (12.5 mm plasterboard on both sides, installed indoors) with white silicate paint.

An acquaintance suggested the following procedure to me.

1. Primer: STO Prim Plex
2. Painter's fleece: STO TAP PRO 100 P (= pigmented)
3. Topcoat: Silicate paint: "STOColor Sil Comfort"

I have the following questions:
1. Should a painter's fleece actually be used?
2. That would require a total of 3 coats. Nowadays, there are other variants with primer (e.g. Sto Prim Sil Color), which apparently save one painting step. What is really more sensible?

Best regards

1. Should a painter's fleece really be used?

Yes, it's worth it. It prevents possible cracking later on. I know this because we skipped the painter's fleece in our first house. It was a stupid decision.

2. In this case, a total of 3 coats would be necessary. There are now other options with primer (e.g. Sto Prim Sil Color), which apparently save you one coat. What is really more sensible?

When it comes to preventing cracking, the number of coats doesn't matter.

I want to paint my new drywall partitions (12.5 mm plasterboard on both sides, built indoors) with white silicate paint.

Why? It has no advantage. Painter's fleece is a good idea instead. If (does not have to, but can) cracking occurs, you would hide it with it.

If (it doesn’t have to, but it could) cracking occurs, you would cover it up with it.

In 3 rooms, the fleece tore at the same time for me. Invisible repair is virtually impossible. I am annoyed about the expensive fleece and in hindsight would have preferred to invest the money in Q4.

In 3 rooms, the fleece tore right along with it for me. Invisible repair is virtually impossible. I am annoyed about the expensive fleece and would have rather invested the money in Q4 in hindsight.

Thank you for the hint. What exactly is meant by Q4?

The surface quality of the plaster. Q4 ultimately means smooth walls through filling and sanding that can be painted directly. If cracks form later, they can simply be refilled and painted over. The standard in general contractor new construction is basically Q2, which can be improved to Q3 by filling. Q4 is usually achieved by fully filling and sanding the wall.

The torn fleece frays and would need to be sanded extensively and re-wallpapered.