any helpful hints on plastering?

Question

i am just about to skim some plaster board and some places i have patched up i've got some multi finish plaster ,so any helpful hints would be great.

Answer 1

Hi

I am a plasterer have been for a few years what you should ultimatly do is get someone in to do it because guerented it will go wrong but if your competent enough then read on?

Multi finish is a good plaster for you to start with orange and white bag.

Obviously u will need a trowel as your just starting out i would get a small trowel say 11" or simalar also you will need a plasterers hawk probably cost around £20 - £30 from b&q for both.

Then mix with and drill if you can but if your only doing a small area use a stick there is no point in buying expensive tools for something your probably going to use once if you know what i mean it needs to be mixed to a thick creamy consistency until lump free make sure you wet ure trowel and hawk with water before applying any plaster and keep them clean.

If your right handed as in holding trowel in your right hand then you start from top LEFT NOT RIGHT AS SAID PREVIOUSLY always trowel away from yourself.

Apply the plaster in a thickness of about 1 - 2mm on the board going all the way across the top of the wall first then the bottom afterwards after you have applied one coat of plaster on the wall clean your trowel off and apply a second coat as multi finish is not a one coat plaster and from my experiance i definetly wouldn't try one coating it either it has a tendency to suck straight in to the board so starting where you first started apply approx 1mm of plaster over the top of the existing plaster and do this all the way across the wall making sure you have everything covered.

Then what i usually do is wait for about 5 mins before what we call 1st trowelling what you do here is basically starting in the top left (right handed) bring ure trowel down at a slight angle and smooth out the lines you dont have to get rid of them all straight away as a 2nd trowel will do this make sure you fill as many holes as possible just go up and down coming down on the top of the wall and up from the bottom (obviously) once you have done this sit down for a good 10 - 15 mins

now the 2nd trowel is quite important you will need to check the wall is ready to 2nd trowel to do this run you fingers very lightly down the wall if your leaving slight impressions in the wall hard to explain but if it sort of feels damp ya know not too wet nor to dry its ready.

You will need clean cold water for this trowel splash the wall slighly with water and work in the same motion as the 1st trowel so to speak the water mainly aids the trowel stopping it to drag. The plaster will feel wet again after you have 2nd trowelled so sit down for maybe another 10 - 15 mins

This trowel is called the cross by this stage your wall should look smooth no lines really but as your a beginner dont worry too much basically wet the wall with a good measure of water and run ACROSS the wall from left to right (right handed) all the way to the bottom when you have done that its done.

You can polish the plaster when it goes a very dark brown if you wish basically just use a fair amount of angle on the trowel and just run across the whole wall no water needed and it should come smooth.

So sorry its so long but it is ever so hard to explain in writing hopefully you will get a sort of idea of what to do now GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Answer 2

The crucial things are mixing to the right consistency and keeping the equipment clean.
If you are right-handed start at the top right corner and work your way across and down laying the new plaster into the stuff already on the walls.
Work as quickly as you can and don't lay it on too thickly.
Try and mix enough to do the job in one go or get somebody else to mix while you are plastering.
When you have finished a section go over it with a wet brush and trowel out any high or low areas.
Keep all equipment free of old plaster.

Answer 3

When plastering plasterboard, make sure that you have covered the joints with adhesive webbing tape (about £3 a roll from B&Q) this stuff stops any hairline cracks appearing later. Mix plaster to a thick creamy consistency & apply first coat, approx 2mm thick . (no lumps) Allow to dry for approx 10 mins then apply a second coat. (slightly thinner mix) . I use an atomiser (again from B&Q) to re-wet the wall for trowelling up. Work from the bottom of the wall to the top when plastering & from the top of the wall to the bottom for trowelling up (flattening out) as this reduces the risk of leaving "water marks" on the dried plaster. A good trowel is recomended, Marshaltown or Ragni. Don't overwet the wall when trowelling up, just enough to dampen it a little.
As for patching old plaster. Make sure that you have removed any that has a hollow sound to it (tap on the wall) Always cover the area to be re-plasterd with PVA adhesive (mix 50-50 with water ) and allow to dry. This creates a sticky membrane for the new plaster to adhere to. Good luck

Answer 4

If you have any seams that need filling or even large cracks youll need to put strips that drywall or compound paper, whatever its called.
So you apply some compound to the infec ted area and without letting it dry, you take the strip of paper and moisten it up, run it through water, this way it will stick to the wall better avoiding air bubbles. Then you apply a little more compound over top the paper, and this is called your first coat. Let it dry properly and apply a second coat of compound, only after sanding or applying a wet sponge to the rough areas, making sure it is smooth before you put on the second coat on.
As you apply each coat youll also check over the entire wall area for other holes made by hanging pictures or just flaws in general, because now is the time to fillthem all in for the best possible finish.
So you apply as many coats as required until you get that smooth, babys bottom like finish, then you can begin to prime and paint the wall.

Answer 5

Make sure you have no lumps in your mix, mix it to the consistency of thick custard and apply to board. Leave to dry for a while, then when it is almost dry (lightly touching the surface will not leave a mark), spray the surface with water and trowel over to get a smooth finish (polishing). If you get a pro in, ask to look at some of his work - wish I had, £450 for something that looks like a primary school have been let loose on.

Answer 6

Call a plasterer now.

Answer 7

don't want to put a downer on your DIY skills but plastering is a thing of mystery!

Black Magic that is what it is!!! (according to my boyfriend!!)

If you want a good job doing either get a pro in or go to night school and learn the dark magic yourself!

Answer 8

Use a trowel ,it helps...

Answer 9

get a pro in..