Does plaster go off?

[Nevin]

Tried to do some plastering tonight with some plaster I have had lying around for a while. Had just got it to a nice consistency and put my first load on the wall when it set in the bucket.

It was almost instantaneous and set as hard as stone.

Presumably therefore plaster does go off and I need to buy a new bag.

[thebluemonkey]

. . . and bucket.

[Nevin]

Managed to get it all out of the bucket in pretty much one huge stone like piece, which won't fit in the bin. Oops.

[celticpilgrim]

yup, plaster, cement, anything liked that will go off eventually - apart from anything else, once opened, it will suck the moisture out of the air, and then set solid......bugger!!!

[Nevin]

Well given the humid summer we've had in London there would have been plenty of moisture for it. Hmm. Jewson at the weekend.

[Antwerpman]

I think (although will let the more experienced correct me if I am wrong) but if you contaminate your newly mixed plaster with some old stuff left in your bucket or on your tools because you didnt clean them properly, then the plaster will set almost instantly.

[B17NNS]

Nevin said:

put my first load on the wall

you want to be careful where your pointing it.

hope you didnt wipe it clean on the curtains.

[Nevin]

Antwerpman said:

I think (although will let the more experienced correct me if I am wrong) but if you contaminate your newly mixed plaster with some old stuff left in your bucket or on your tools because you didnt clean them properly, then the plaster will set almost instantly.

Everything is spotlessly clean so it shouldn't be that. I think the moisture being absorbed theory sounds right though. Will get a new bag at the weekend and try again.

[Nevin]

B17NNS said:

Nevin said: put my first load on the wall you want to be careful where your pointing it. hope you didnt wipe it clean on the curtains.

Nah, have got wood blinds. Flatmates pillow is easier to reach as well.