Best Plaster for Skimming - DIY

MrPoor

I am going to attempt to skim my living room. Can someone recommend a good plaster for a novice?

If I fail, I will hire a professional

Plasterer

MrPoor wrote: »

I am going to attempt to skim my living room. Can someone recommend a good plaster for a novice?

If I fail, I will hire a professional

Save your money - if youve never plastered before I can tell you that you have no chance of doing a whole room as a novice - It should only cost between £250-£350 to get a pro to do it. While he/she is there watch the process they go through - and ask them if you can put a little bit on (then youll understand why people can't DIY plastering) Plasterers make it look easy and that is why it is more of an art form. However if you must attemot it :eek: use multifinish as youll get a slightly longer time before it dries. Look on youtube at as many vids as you can to get the advice you need step by step... Sorry Iv'e got to go to work now, i'll pick the thread up later..... GOOD LUCK..:o

Imp

MrPoor wrote: »

I am going to attempt to skim my living room. Can someone recommend a good plaster for a novice?

If I fail, I will hire a professional

I guess that would be a plaster which cleans up off the floor easily. Failing that, Thistle Multi-finish.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Thistle-Multi-finish-Plaster/invt/220056

WestonDave

With a lot of practice I can just about manage a half decent finish patching so good luck if you are going to try a whole room. It really does seem to be one of those trades where there are all sorts of dark arts at play that us lesser mortals can't master! (I'm sure if most people were to spend enough time practising it is possible but most of us only have a couple of bits to practice on which isn't anywhere near enough)

I agree the multifinish stuff is easier to use but the compromise appears to be in the less polished finish. Don't whatever you do buy the ready mixed stuff!

kevsan

You might find this money well spent before you start.

http://www.plasteringworkshop.co.uk/

I did a one day saturday - and the experience was invaluable. I was then able to skim my lounge diner - and with a decent finish.

I am happy to pay for trades, and as noted above that might be your best approach, but there is a great deal of satisfaction with doing it yourself.

Imp

I did a 1 week course in plastering for about £350 and went on to plaster my kitchen, including fixing plasterboard to the ceiling, base coating the walls and getting them straight, and then skimming the lot. The finish was okay, not professional but good enough for painting, and the walls were straight +- about 2mm.

Plasterer

kevsan wrote: »

You might find this money well spent :eek: before you start.

http://www.plasteringworkshop.co.uk/ :eek:

I did a one day saturday :eek: - and the experience was invaluable. I was then able to skim my lounge diner:eek: - and with a decent finish. :eek:

I am happy to pay for trades, and as noted above that might be your best approach, but there is a great deal of satisfaction with doing it yourself.

Pah............

booty40uk

For best results use multifinish with a good worn in trowel with a plasterer holding it.

Andy

Plasterer

booty40uk wrote: »

for best results use multifinish with a good worn in trowel with a plasterer holding it.

Andy

:t:t:t:t:t

totalsolutions

B & Q Thistle multifinish 25Kg £5. Done it today <5 bags, done by bruv, sweet.

Dark_Jester

I used an online plastering course www.masteringplastering.com and if you follow it down to a "T" you will get very good results. It costs £20 to download the video and honestly its a great investments. It goes through everything, what tools you need, how to hold the tools correctly, how to mix, how to apply etc Its technically "Plastering for Dummies" and if you follow it down to a "T" you will get good results and save money.

You will find many of the people who will try to put you off are either plasterers themselves or people who did not have the patience and belief to do it themselves. Plastering a average size room can cost around £200-400, it good money! Therefore if you was a plasterer would you be encouraging people to DIY? I dont think so...

Prior to attempting it, many people tried to put me off saying that I could screw it up, it requires skill etc. All true, however it does not mean its impossible with a bit of practice. It may have taken me a bit longer than a professional plasterer but I got the job done at the end with GOOD results and saved £300. However, its not easy. You need patience and determination. Without those virtues you will screw it up.

Download the tutorial or send me your e-mail I will e-mail it to you (might be too big). Practice on a part of your house where no one will see and if your not up for it, hire a professional.