Getting well plastered
Discussion
In my quest to refit my bathroom in DIY style, well Matts doing most of the work, I was hoping that I could tile over the existing wall finish. Upon second thoughts this could be a short cut to DIY disaster. So now I'm thinking of stretching my lack of DIY skills to embrace plastering 
I believe that I need a skim coat? so I have a large bag of 'finishing plaster' at the ready.
Apart from get a pro'in, any hints tips advise to a complete novice who is cacking himself at the thought of making a right balls of this work.
I believe that I need a skim coat? so I have a large bag of 'finishing plaster' at the ready.
Apart from get a pro'in, any hints tips advise to a complete novice who is cacking himself at the thought of making a right balls of this work.
I have recently taught myself to plaster as I'm doing up an old flat. The finishing plaster will be fine if it the wall is relatively flat to start with. You'll need a decent plastering trowel thing and a hawk will help. I watched lots of videos on youtube to get an idea of what to do, but it looks alot easier than it is.
I just mix what i need in a bucket, you want it the texture of whipped cream. Getting that right is probably the hardest bit, too wet and you end up with it everywhere, too thick and it goes off in no time. Put a dollop on the hawk and start the top left and work down in strips. It will go everywhere, you will make lots of mess and you will drop it, alot, but don't give up. Don't get too caught up with getting it perfect to start, just get a reasonably even covering. Then leave it for about ten minutes, go back and flick water over a section and use the trowel to almost polish the surface.
There are probably professional builders/plasterers wiping the tears away after reading that but other than giving it a go you won't really get the idea. Try not to over play with it on the wall as it's easy to dry it out and pull it off, just get it on fairly smoothly, leave it for a bit, splash lots of water on it then use the slick that's created to polish the surface.
I just mix what i need in a bucket, you want it the texture of whipped cream. Getting that right is probably the hardest bit, too wet and you end up with it everywhere, too thick and it goes off in no time. Put a dollop on the hawk and start the top left and work down in strips. It will go everywhere, you will make lots of mess and you will drop it, alot, but don't give up. Don't get too caught up with getting it perfect to start, just get a reasonably even covering. Then leave it for about ten minutes, go back and flick water over a section and use the trowel to almost polish the surface.
There are probably professional builders/plasterers wiping the tears away after reading that but other than giving it a go you won't really get the idea. Try not to over play with it on the wall as it's easy to dry it out and pull it off, just get it on fairly smoothly, leave it for a bit, splash lots of water on it then use the slick that's created to polish the surface.
Definitely a job best left to the pros. I had a stab at it a while ago, managed to get about 3 square feet of wall done and looking semi-decent, realised it had taken me an hour and a half of trial and error and decided enough was enough!
It's easy enough to get a nice smooth finish when patching up holes, which is what gave me the idea that I could do whole walls - don't be fooled, it's bloody difficult!
It's easy enough to get a nice smooth finish when patching up holes, which is what gave me the idea that I could do whole walls - don't be fooled, it's bloody difficult!
Boarding over (and possibly using tapered edge board and tape and filling) is way quicker and will yield far better results than trying to skim yourself. However:
It can be done. I bought a couple of 2hr DVD's off ebay and practiced and can now plaster "competently" (small amounts of filling / sanding, but basically good).
There's so much to say to help, but for starters:
- Buy fresh plaster from a place that has decent turnover of stock (ie not homebase or B&Q). You want to ensure the plaster has as long a shelf life as possible so you have longer to work before it sets. Plaster that's out of date/aging goes off quick!
- Buy a decent trowel with a comfortable grip (you won't regret it!), "Worn in" if possible, if not round the corners off with a file and then rub on a large piece of flat concrete to take the edges off.
- Don't even consider doing a large area on a hot day, and consider using chilled water to increase the time you have to work.
- Don't skimp the sealing of the old plaster with the PVA. Do it properly or you'll regret it...
- Use a mixing attachment for the drill, you won't stand a chance of getting a decent mix and having time to apply it without.
-Apply two coats - first 2mm thick with slightly thicker mix, second 1mm to smooth the first. Concentrate on getting the surface flat and even on the first coat, don't worry about trowel marks. Subsequent dry/wet trowel stages will polish these out.
- Try not to get too hung up on the edges/ round window frames etc. This is where the time goes! Concentrate first on getting the thickness even, then the fiddly stuff.
- Don't over wet the surface when doing your wet trowel stages. If you're getting blistering, this is likely why.
- KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN. The last thing you want is to get the surface near perfect and then drag a lump off old plaster across it...
It is very hard work (esp ceilings on a hot day!), quite stressful when it starts to go off half way through a spread, and creates a lot of mess (not so much dropped plaster but splashed plaster water). Can be very satisfying though.
That said this is all for normal gypsum based plaster, I've never using cement based stuff in bathrooms.
It can be done. I bought a couple of 2hr DVD's off ebay and practiced and can now plaster "competently" (small amounts of filling / sanding, but basically good).
There's so much to say to help, but for starters:
- Buy fresh plaster from a place that has decent turnover of stock (ie not homebase or B&Q). You want to ensure the plaster has as long a shelf life as possible so you have longer to work before it sets. Plaster that's out of date/aging goes off quick!
- Buy a decent trowel with a comfortable grip (you won't regret it!), "Worn in" if possible, if not round the corners off with a file and then rub on a large piece of flat concrete to take the edges off.
- Don't even consider doing a large area on a hot day, and consider using chilled water to increase the time you have to work.
- Don't skimp the sealing of the old plaster with the PVA. Do it properly or you'll regret it...
- Use a mixing attachment for the drill, you won't stand a chance of getting a decent mix and having time to apply it without.
-Apply two coats - first 2mm thick with slightly thicker mix, second 1mm to smooth the first. Concentrate on getting the surface flat and even on the first coat, don't worry about trowel marks. Subsequent dry/wet trowel stages will polish these out.
- Try not to get too hung up on the edges/ round window frames etc. This is where the time goes! Concentrate first on getting the thickness even, then the fiddly stuff.
- Don't over wet the surface when doing your wet trowel stages. If you're getting blistering, this is likely why.
- KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN. The last thing you want is to get the surface near perfect and then drag a lump off old plaster across it...
It is very hard work (esp ceilings on a hot day!), quite stressful when it starts to go off half way through a spread, and creates a lot of mess (not so much dropped plaster but splashed plaster water). Can be very satisfying though.
That said this is all for normal gypsum based plaster, I've never using cement based stuff in bathrooms.
Simpo Two said:
What about just nailing/screwing plasterboard on, and filling the joins?
Don't it will look s
t.Plastering is a piece of piss.
To worn you, you will get coverd in mud, and so will the floor.
Tools you will need;
- Several buckets for water, and one large one for mixing.
- A mixing drill.
- A muck board.
- A hawk.
- A trowel (mashaltown 14" pre warn gives good results)
- A 5" brush.
- A Roller and tray.
Materials you will need;
- Multi finish (from B&Q as its cheap there)
- PVA(or Thistle bond it)
- Thin coat beads, if there are any windows.
- Scrim tape for the corners / any exsisting cracks.
Make sure you have a flat ish back ground, nothing much deeper then a couple of mm, if its more then put a tight coat of bonding on, then skim.
Then scim the corners and cracks, then bead up.
First thing to do is use a waterd down PVA mix and PVA the whole wall i use a roller, let this go off, then PVA again, then mix the mud up.
Mix it up with an electric mixer in a bucket, to a nice even consistancy, not to wet or it will end up on the floor but not firm either or it will go off quick, empty bucket on to a board and wash mixing bucket / drill off.
By this time the PVA should be tackey.
Then start at the bottom working from left to right (if you are right handed) just make sure you get a coat on the wall, doesn't matter if its not flat and looks crap.
Then let this firm up a bit, could be 10 mins, or 30 mins depending on conditions.
Then flatten the whole wall with the trowel getting most of the trowel marks out etc.
Then mix up some more mud to the same consistancy,wash tools off.
Then put another coat on the wall it doesn't matter if its not flat etc.
Then flatten this off.
Let it firm up, then flick / brush water on to the wall and polish it with the trowel, getting all the trowel marks and imperfections out.
Do this 2 more times.
Then clean up and go home.
What size area are you doing?
Hope this makes sense and helps you.
Lets us know how it goes, and good luck.
Forgot to say:
-Don't bother with the one-coat systems. Use the proper stuff. (ie multi finish/board finish)
For reference this was the DVD I learnt from. Bloody good, though attending the course and practicing would be far better...
[urlhttp://www.plasteringdvd.co.uk/?gclid=COSo2qy4i5UCFRIkxwodB07Ubg[/url]
-Don't bother with the one-coat systems. Use the proper stuff. (ie multi finish/board finish)
For reference this was the DVD I learnt from. Bloody good, though attending the course and practicing would be far better...
[urlhttp://www.plasteringdvd.co.uk/?gclid=COSo2qy4i5UCFRIkxwodB07Ubg[/url]
Autonotiv said:
Simpo Two said:
What about just nailing/screwing plasterboard on, and filling the joins?
Don't it will look st.Plastering is a piece of piss.
I'm certainly competent to fill joins but not plaster a wall... I guess the OP just has to assess his skill level and decide accordingly.
Th key is 2 coats, always 2 coats.
Give the wall a scrape first (I'm assuming you have bits of tile adhesive and other crap attached to it.
Mix up some PVA with water (50/50 should be fine). Cover the whole wall with this and allow it to dry. Any large holes or imperfections in the wall should be filled with bonding (blue bag). Allow this to set for an hour or so.
PVA the wall again and allow it to dry until tacky. PVA is to stop suction ie the plaster drying out to quickly.
Now in a large bucket (yellow rhino type tubs are ideal) pour in half a bucket of water. Half a bucket of water will make about a bucket of plaster. Now add the plaster (use Multifinish - orange bag). Mix it up with a bucket trowel until it is a reasonable consistency (think clotted cream). Now get your whizzer and mix it until smooth and creamy.
Pour your mix onto a dampened spot board (off cut of plasterboard or a bit of timber).
Using your trowel put some plaster onto your handboard or hawk. Gently spread the plaster over the wall. You are aiming for about 2 or 3mm thick. Do not worry about getting it flat or smooth, just get a coat on.
Clean your buckets and tools and have a cuppa and a fag. You are waiting for the wall to pick up (dry a little. Plaster goes off relatively quickly but it depends on temperature, humidity, background so keep checking.
Once it has stiffened a little give it a trowel and watch as the finish starts to improve. Long, smooth, gentle strokes is what you want.
Now mix yourself up another batch of gear. You will need slightly less for the second coat as your not going on as thick.
Same procedure, just get another coat on and then give it a trowel to get it as flat and smooth as you can.
Another cuppa, fag and clean all your kit.
Touch the wall, it should now be starting to pick up again. Give it a trowel (the finish should be gradually improving). Wait a bit longer and give it another one. Clean up your angles (the parts where the wall touches the ceiling and other walls. scrape them with your trowel and clean up with a wet paintbrush.
Now is time for a wet trowel. Flick some water on the wall or paint it on with a large brush. Trowel again, don't be scared. Nice firm strokes. The wall should now be looking something like.
Finally after another 5 or 10 mins give it another dry trowel.
Wall complete. Cup of tea and stand back and admire your handy work.
Give it a go, it is not as hard as spreads would have you believe.
Couple of other tips. Wear safety glasses. The stuff is literally agony if you get it in your eye (the lime) and put down plenty of sheets.
Worst that happens is the wall is not great and you get a spread in to re-skim, alternatively you may have just saved yourself a load of cash and learnt a rewarding new skill.
Give the wall a scrape first (I'm assuming you have bits of tile adhesive and other crap attached to it.
Mix up some PVA with water (50/50 should be fine). Cover the whole wall with this and allow it to dry. Any large holes or imperfections in the wall should be filled with bonding (blue bag). Allow this to set for an hour or so.
PVA the wall again and allow it to dry until tacky. PVA is to stop suction ie the plaster drying out to quickly.
Now in a large bucket (yellow rhino type tubs are ideal) pour in half a bucket of water. Half a bucket of water will make about a bucket of plaster. Now add the plaster (use Multifinish - orange bag). Mix it up with a bucket trowel until it is a reasonable consistency (think clotted cream). Now get your whizzer and mix it until smooth and creamy.
Pour your mix onto a dampened spot board (off cut of plasterboard or a bit of timber).
Using your trowel put some plaster onto your handboard or hawk. Gently spread the plaster over the wall. You are aiming for about 2 or 3mm thick. Do not worry about getting it flat or smooth, just get a coat on.
Clean your buckets and tools and have a cuppa and a fag. You are waiting for the wall to pick up (dry a little. Plaster goes off relatively quickly but it depends on temperature, humidity, background so keep checking.
Once it has stiffened a little give it a trowel and watch as the finish starts to improve. Long, smooth, gentle strokes is what you want.
Now mix yourself up another batch of gear. You will need slightly less for the second coat as your not going on as thick.
Same procedure, just get another coat on and then give it a trowel to get it as flat and smooth as you can.
Another cuppa, fag and clean all your kit.
Touch the wall, it should now be starting to pick up again. Give it a trowel (the finish should be gradually improving). Wait a bit longer and give it another one. Clean up your angles (the parts where the wall touches the ceiling and other walls. scrape them with your trowel and clean up with a wet paintbrush.
Now is time for a wet trowel. Flick some water on the wall or paint it on with a large brush. Trowel again, don't be scared. Nice firm strokes. The wall should now be looking something like.
Finally after another 5 or 10 mins give it another dry trowel.
Wall complete. Cup of tea and stand back and admire your handy work.
Give it a go, it is not as hard as spreads would have you believe.
Couple of other tips. Wear safety glasses. The stuff is literally agony if you get it in your eye (the lime) and put down plenty of sheets.
Worst that happens is the wall is not great and you get a spread in to re-skim, alternatively you may have just saved yourself a load of cash and learnt a rewarding new skill.
Simpo Two said:
Autonotiv said:
Simpo Two said:
What about just nailing/screwing plasterboard on, and filling the joins?
Don't it will look st.Plastering is a piece of piss.
I'm certainly competent to fill joins but not plaster a wall... I guess the OP just has to assess his skill level and decide accordingly.
it's a black art
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