[kwalker905]

I had my kitchen walls and ceiling skimmed with a veneer coat of plaster last week. I understand it should dry for several weeks before painting. The cabinet installer is ready to install the new cabinets now. I was thinking it would be best to have the walls painted at least with a primer for sealing purposes. Therefore can I paint the walls that will have the cabinets installed now? Or if it is even necessary to paint these walls at all since none of the wall will be exposed. (these walls will either be cover with cabinets or with back splash). Should I wait the several weeks before painting the ceiling?

Any recommendations?

[RickJ]

Are you sure it was plaster? Could it have been joint compound or topping (aka "mud")?

Regardless, definitely no reason to do anything with walls that will be covered by cabinets. You will, though, want a good primer (probably a couple coats) for the walls that you'll be doing a backspash on, though.

As for the ceiling, if it was joint compound or topping, then it's paint ready in a couple days.

[kwalker905]

Rickj, Thanks for the advice. I will probably try to put a coat of primer over the entire wall. To answer your question. The plasterer referred to covering on the walls as "skim coat veneer over blue board". The ceiling was already plastered but needed some TLC. So he applied a "bonding agent" and then applied a thin coat of plster over top just to give a new clean surface.
Some websites indicate it takes several weeks or even months to assure that plaster is dry before painting. I was hoping that referred to a different plastering process and that my "skim coat" was ready for painting in a few days or a week - like you suggested. Thanks again.