Diy Plastering
Discussion
PugwasHDJ80 said:
Sorry for the stupid question, but whats bonding? Dubbing? (presumably dubbing is just filling out?)
Sorry yes, filling the chases a couple of mm shy of the finished level. Dubbing out means filling/getting it something like 
Bonding and Hardwall are backing plasters applied bare brick/block. Usually about half an inch thick and scratched to provide a key. Covered when set but not dry by a 2-3mm thick coat of Multi-Finish (applied in two coats).
PugwasHDJ80 said:
p.s. lots of the holes have plastic ducting- will that cause any problems- ie is there a chance that the filler won't stick?
Give the chase and the capping a coat of watered down PVA prior (throw in a bit of sand if you like to add a key to the plastic). Bonding sticks like s
t to a blanket.Saleen836 said:
buy a decent 'broken in' stainless steel plastering trowel
If you're serious about having a go yes. A Marshalltown stainless pre-worn is what you want. Look after it. The more you use it the better it will get. A nick in the blade and it's no longer a finishing trowel.https://www.screwfix.com/p/marshalltown-permashape...
No strictly necessary but a Nelaflex is great for the last few passes.
http://nelatrowels.co.uk/prods/48827/premium-nelaf...
princeperch said:
The plastering tutor must have said that 1000 times. He kept on putting his trowel down and shouting 'everyone look - all the edges of this trowel don't touch this table- do you see that'. I don't know what would happen if he lost or broke it, he would be inconsolable I should think.
Yes! After wearing mine in you can prise it from my cold dead hands!! 
I did all of the interior work of our extension, including the plastering. It's probably the one job that if I was doing it again, I'd pay someone to do.
For a small repair like that you should be OK though. Just make sure you use the correct materials - finishing plaster can't really be laid more than a few mm thick so if the trunking is set back further than that you'll want to start with hardwall. When you do get to the finishing plaster, make sure you make it runny enough; until you've done it a few times you wont believe quite how liquid it needs to be to go on properly.
If you get it wrong the worst that really happens is you have to sand before painting, but that's a pretty messy task.
For a small repair like that you should be OK though. Just make sure you use the correct materials - finishing plaster can't really be laid more than a few mm thick so if the trunking is set back further than that you'll want to start with hardwall. When you do get to the finishing plaster, make sure you make it runny enough; until you've done it a few times you wont believe quite how liquid it needs to be to go on properly.
If you get it wrong the worst that really happens is you have to sand before painting, but that's a pretty messy task.
Another DIY plastering newby here....
I watched a heap of videos and read a lot online. Also had a pro plasterer in to do a few other rooms so managed to pick up some tips by watching.
I bought a stainless steel pre worn marshalltown for laying on and flattening and a refina superflex for finishing. Only used multifinish and only done 4 walls of a 4 x 2,5m room but I was pretty happy with the finish that I am going to attempt another larger room.
Did one wall at a time. Getting a smooth surface I didnt find too dificult. Hardest thing I found initially was mixing it to the right consistency (quickly!), then getting it on without coating my shoes.
The last wall got away from me a bit as i spent too long faffing around the radiator brackets that I left on the wall (mistake!) so had to give a few bits a very light sand by hand - however the final finish is perfectly acceptable to me. As someone says above - seen worse.
If your not afraid to make mistakes I would give it a go!
I watched a heap of videos and read a lot online. Also had a pro plasterer in to do a few other rooms so managed to pick up some tips by watching.
I bought a stainless steel pre worn marshalltown for laying on and flattening and a refina superflex for finishing. Only used multifinish and only done 4 walls of a 4 x 2,5m room but I was pretty happy with the finish that I am going to attempt another larger room.
Did one wall at a time. Getting a smooth surface I didnt find too dificult. Hardest thing I found initially was mixing it to the right consistency (quickly!), then getting it on without coating my shoes.
The last wall got away from me a bit as i spent too long faffing around the radiator brackets that I left on the wall (mistake!) so had to give a few bits a very light sand by hand - however the final finish is perfectly acceptable to me. As someone says above - seen worse.
If your not afraid to make mistakes I would give it a go!
jonesyx said:
i spent too long faffing around the radiator brackets that I left on the wall
Next time take them off and insert trimmed down pieces of plastic drinking straw in the plugs. Leave the straws slightly proud. Your trowel will glide over them. Once you're done pop them out and you've still got your holes.
B17NNS said:
Next time take them off and insert trimmed down pieces of plastic drinking straw in the plugs. Leave the straws slightly proud. Your trowel will glide over them. Once you're done pop them out and you've still got your holes.
I like it, thanks for the tip! Will give it a try next time.Had my first go at DIY plastering today. I've boarded a small downstairs toilet which needs plastering but it's such a small job I can't imagine any pros would be interested.
I used multi finish and completely messed up the first mix by over working it and I think it was too thick as it didn't spread very well. It was also going off by the time i'd got only half the wall done so was rushing a bit. Second coat was mixed a lot better and was much more workable. I only got one small wall done in 2 hour including a little alcove but learnt a lot so hoping the other walls and ceiling goes a bit more smoothly.
I used multi finish and completely messed up the first mix by over working it and I think it was too thick as it didn't spread very well. It was also going off by the time i'd got only half the wall done so was rushing a bit. Second coat was mixed a lot better and was much more workable. I only got one small wall done in 2 hour including a little alcove but learnt a lot so hoping the other walls and ceiling goes a bit more smoothly.
fiatpower said:
Had my first go at DIY plastering today. I've boarded a small downstairs toilet which needs plastering but it's such a small job I can't imagine any pros would be interested.
I used multi finish and completely messed up the first mix by over working it and I think it was too thick as it didn't spread very well. It was also going off by the time i'd got only half the wall done so was rushing a bit. Second coat was mixed a lot better and was much more workable. I only got one small wall done in 2 hour including a little alcove but learnt a lot so hoping the other walls and ceiling goes a bit more smoothly.
Most important things in plastering are a pre worn trowel , actually available to buy , and keep everything absolutely clean , trowels , buckets , mixers and anything else that’s anywhere near the job . There’s a fair bit of timing involved but it soon becomes apparent when to trowel off with a bit of practice. I used multi finish and completely messed up the first mix by over working it and I think it was too thick as it didn't spread very well. It was also going off by the time i'd got only half the wall done so was rushing a bit. Second coat was mixed a lot better and was much more workable. I only got one small wall done in 2 hour including a little alcove but learnt a lot so hoping the other walls and ceiling goes a bit more smoothly.
I served my time as a roofer but soon picked up plastering after watching the clowns who constantly let me down on house renovations.
fiatpower said:
I've had a bit more practice and after a recommendation from a colleague ended up getting a speedskim trowel. What a difference it makes! Getting a great overall finish for a beginner although my corners need a lot more practice.
One of those long blade things like a window squeegee?I take it you mean internal corners and are only plastering one wall at a time and not two?
Evoluzione said:
One of those long blade things like a window squeegee?
I take it you mean internal corners and are only plastering one wall at a time and not two?
Yeah one of those. I got a 1.2m length speedskim and the finish I got out of the wall was night and day to my first wall done with a trowel. I take it you mean internal corners and are only plastering one wall at a time and not two?
I wasn't no but reading tonight it seems I should do one wall and let it dry before doing an adjacent wall which does make sense
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