All Aspects of Plastering
1. Prepare and Control the Suction
The Suction should be controlled – If the plaster is too dry, the moisture will be absorbed from the plaster and the plaster will become too hard to work with. This is true for both the backing and skim coat.
Tips for Backing Coat Plastering
2. Use a Sand-based backing coat.
For beginners, sand and cement (with plasticisers) can offer many benefits.
- It gives you the freedom to work all day with it.
- It is much easier to float.
3. Use Two Coats
You will need a thin first coat to make sure it sticks.
This will ensure that it does not come off later. Allows you to apply the second coat – using just enough pressure to make sure it is the right thickness and flatten it. It is hard to focus if you have to work very hard to get plaster to stick to walls.
You may be surprised at how little pressure is required to get the first thin coat wet. You can apply the 1st coat slightly ahead of the second coat. Also, make sure that the suction is controlled to prevent it drying too fast.
You can apply a second coat as thickly as you need, with less pressure but enough to keep it flat.
4. Keep it Flat
Flatness is what you want, not smoothness. We all have a tendency to smoothen out the backing coat. But it doesn’t really matter how smooth it may be. The skim coat will do a better job of smoothing it. It will be difficult to achieve a smooth finish if your backing coat isn’t flat.
Corners
If nothing else, make sure that all corners are perfectly flat. This will ensure that the wall looks great.
When a straight edge has been held vertically, the internal corners should be completely flat. The top and bottom of an edge should also be horizontally held flat.
All angle beads should be aligned with the surrounding walls and frames by using external corners.
5. Reduce your back
It is very easy to do and allows you to quickly check everything. Simply run a flat trowel across a wall that has not yet dried. This should never be done if plaster is still soft. Make sure your trowel is centered on the corners. Trim any plaster bulges by slicing into the ceiling or wall with your trowel’s blade.
Skim Coat Plastering Tips
6. The Right Trowel
The trowel must be in good condition.
7. It should be thin
Mix the plaster evenly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to maintain flat. Your arm will hurt trying to spread it. The plaster should be thin enough to form a peaks, similar to thick yoghurt. The flattened coat will be less laborious and should not exceed 2mm in thickness.
8. Trowel Angle
Plastering in auckland is a very important skill.
If you apply firm pressure, flatten the leading edge by 10mm. If the angle is increased beyond 10 mm from wall, the trowel will begin to remove plaster.
This is not a good idea if you are just trying to fill in a few holes. You will have to risk scraping plaster to the lowest level, and the backing coat may show through.
This is only recommended if there are bulges or thicker regions that need flattening.
9. Get Hard!
To ensure that the plaster is flat and free from bulges, apply firm pressure to the trowel. Use a lot of pressure and the right angle for your trowel. This will force plaster into all holes along the entire length of the trowel.
10. Flatness, Holes and Trowel Marks
This order should be followed and everything will work out. Flatness: Make sure your trowel sits flat on the wall. Once the plaster has firmed up, fill the holes with firm pressure. Once the plaster has set, you can smoothen out any trowel marks or ridges by making sure your trowel is flat on the wall.
