Has anyone got any tips on plastering and how to keep it soft?

Answer 1

why do you want to keep it soft? use Plasticine if that's what you want

Answer 2

one bag of uni-cal plaster could cover three sheets of BLUE BOARD. Do not use regular dry wall you need the blue ones.
you also should get a special mixing paddle and some 5 gallon buckets. One for mixing one for water and one with water and tools. When you mix the plaster the consistency should look like mayonnaise. Like one other person said mix as much as you can apply. when applying it should be about 1/8" thick, once you apply the plaster let it sit for about 10-15 min. then with your trowel only and a wet brush flick some water on it and start smoothing. It takes a long time to learn. Start small. And if you have any left in the bucket let it harden in the bucket then flip the bucket upside down and with a hammer tap out the harden plaster. Be sure to clean the bucket well because any old plaster in it will make your new batch harden faster.

Good Luck
Moskie257

Answer 3

the other answers all state the fact, and too ask why?

I've applied thousands of gallons of the stuff, but not lately. It's an archaic task.

Beyond that, the idea of any task is to keep it manageable. In plastering the same holds true. Only mix as much as can be applied in the time that plaster usually takes to "Go Off" and work any plaster job to completion, not over periods of days.

Steven Wolf
(The Rev.)

Answer 4

Your looking at a 2 fold answer--- its made to dry.
Well if your going to work it and take time doing a large job buy the plaster made for that and it comes in large bags with water to be added and mixed - it will give you a good 90 minutes of owrking time per batch if you get the 90 brand-- dura 15 dura 30 dura 45 dura 90 and I think Dura "bond" 120 are new brands. the number is the number of minutes you get to work with it. Some will mix these dura's with plasters to get timed dries-- but remember- dura's do not shrink and if applied to much - you will have a very hard sanding to do - apply what you can work with comfortably.
pre-mixes are not bad- they are bought to last and stay wet longer- read the dry times.

Answer 5

once the plaster has been put on the area you are plastering keep wetting it with a wet brush by flicking water onto the plaster and then use your float to scim it and follow this pattern until it is smooth.but there is no way you can keep it soft.

Answer 6

As a plastering contractor of some 40 years I would offer this advise, unless you have the experience and have knowledge of the materials you intend to use, leave it to a plasterer

Answer 7

There is no way if you are using plaster that it will remain soft after it dries.

Answer 8

Are you talking about plaster or drywall? They are COMPLETELY different. Some of the people who answered don't seem to understand that.

Why are you asking this question, it seems quite unusual. Unless we know why you are asking, you will continue to get generic answers that won't really help you. Hopefully, you won't get anymore that don't know the difference.

Answer 9

If you are looking to keep is soft to use later, try buying a lock n lock container in the food storage section at walmart, they are garunteed to be air tight.

Answer 10

once you have mixed it you don't have too much time so make it in smaller batches.when you have put it on the wall,make sure you wet it with a large brush dipped in a bucket of water,the rule is wet it and trowel it,wet it and trowel it
good luck and good on ya for giving it a go

Answer 11

Once you've laid it on, you can flick water at it until you've skimmed it up, but you can't keep it soft - it's meant to dry off hard!!