How Do You Produce A ProfessionalQuality Plastering Finish

Plastering is an very old art that is certainly still in use today. Plaster is a natural product, hydrated gypsum, with the chemical formula of CaSO4.2H2O. This dries to the fine white powder which may be mixed with additional water and shaped. It has traditionally been used for interior walls, and also to create ornate trims. It is the foundation for the painting technique called fresco where images are painted while the plaster is still wet. The plaster was often stabilized by the addition of materials such as animal hair, or a base such as fabric. Exterior walls are often plastered with powdered limestone (stucco).

Many modern interior walls are made from a pre-formed plaster board often known as drywall or sheet rock. In comparison with traditional techniques these are easily installed by nailing to studs or joists and having the joints and nailheads concealed by plastered tape. Alternatively the complete surface can be covered using a thin coat of plaster, called veneering.

Either way, plastering is still a task which may be difficult for the average do-it-yourself-er. It can be described as specialized skill and for the neatest work, contractors and homeowners hire a professional to achieve acceptable results. Not only does it require experience to bring about a smooth surface, but a plasterer is in a constant race with the speed of the chemical reaction as the plaster dries. To accomplish that perfect finish it is a race against time because once the plaster has started to set there is not much that the average guy can do about it.

However, for small jobs, such as to repair wall or ceiling cracks, or small holes, home repairs can be accomplished fairly easily. Blown plaster, where the plaster has separated from the backing, is more difficult, but may be tackled by a serious handyman.

On a full plastered wall, initial coats of plaster are applied using a skimming float, a huge flat-surfaced tool which is held at a slight angle to pull the plaster across a wall. Subsequent coats are added with a technique known as float and set. This simply means the next coat is applied and floated (smoothed), and allowed to set. To allow each coat to stick well, there must be a means for it to form a key with the surface beneath. On lath, spaces between the slats allow plaster to ooze between and tightly attach. The next coat will be roughened slightly before it is dried to get the coat above it to adhere tightly, and so on.

To accomplish an excellent quality plastering job, it is definately better to call in a professional, except for the small repair jobs. Unless you’re a specialist or you’ve at the very least done it before and you were happy with your result then my advise to an average guy is, leave it alone. There is nothing worse than seing a poor plastering job and it can be costly to get it put right. A specialist plasterer will likely be expensive. So far as I am concerned, they are worth their weight in gold.

When I say that I understand how hard it can be to perform these tasks that I’ve written about in this article. I have applied these tips to many painting projects through the years but in the beginning when I first began in the painting trade there was a good deal to learn. For my training I joined a firm called Painters and Decorators London. They taught me everything that I do know these days.