Best Plaster for Skimming - DIY

cyclonebri1

Plasterer wrote: »

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

It's actually not as hard as some would make out, without being disrespectable to Mr P.
However a whole room is where the issue lies. A small wall is enough for any beginner to try and grasp the timing and technique required. But a competant diyer can reasonably be expected to get results comparable to lets say some plasterers, even if it takes them 3 times as long.

Problem is if you do 1 wall it will be crap or just bearable, the 2nd will be better and so on, untill you have to start on the 1st wall again:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Top tip,
Practice on your MIL's house 1st

Plasterer

No-ones saying a diyer can't learn the very "basics" of SKIMMING - skimming is skimming plastering is plastering and covers a large range of skills and tecniques. You say some diyers can get a result the same as some plasterers - these "ahem" plasterers you are talking about are the people that do these 3 day/1 week courses and then go out there thinking they can earn a living from it. I would challenge anybody that has done one of these courses to a "trowel off" - you do one wall to "perfection" and i'll do a whole room to perfection in the same amount of time.......
I wouldn't knock anyone for trying anything, some people have got natural skills that others just don't have. Just to point out - on these courses you are plastering a tiny little box room ie a cupboard (in the trade these people are refered to as sh*t house plasterers) When I train a lad up after months of mixing up his/her first job when applying plaster to a customers house would only ever be in a small area like a cupboard so that if he/she does "ok" then its not a problem - if they make a hash of it it doesnt take long for me to correct.... Please NEVER say that plasterers are trying to put you lot out there off having a go because your doing us out of work.... your not, this simply isnt true ive got four guys on the books that are very good at what they do and I earn a healthy living from it.
In fact i think these courses are probably (sorry never been on one) good to get an insight into plastering to see if you enjoy it and you may want to take it up as a living.
Just to point out also - you din't see many "fat" plasterers (except the old boys with beer bellies) this is because plastering is the most physically demanding trade in building - you know youve been to work after plastering all day.
Please no more of this rubbish saying that you can "master" the skill after a few days - you simply cant. Iv'e been plastering 15 years and am still learning.

Cyclone - you will notice I have thanked you for your post, youve actually done us plasterers a favour - a lot of my work comes from correcting plaster work that has been carried out by 3 day day magical wonder plasterers so THANK YOU :T

PS After 1 driving lesson years ago I could drive a car - doesnt mean i could win the F1 championship.....

Plasterer

Dark_Jester wrote: »

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.

Did you learn these tecniques on your £20 course

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2415339

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2202283&highlight=black+white+cottage

cyclonebri1

Plasterer wrote: »

No-ones saying a diyer can't learn the very "basics" of SKIMMING - skimming is skimming plastering is plastering and covers a large range of skills and tecniques. You say some diyers can get a result the same as some plasterers - these "ahem" plasterers you are talking about are the people that do these 3 day/1 week courses and then go out there thinking they can earn a living from it. I would challenge anybody that has done one of these courses to a "trowel off" - you do one wall to "perfection" and i'll do a whole room to perfection in the same amount of time.......
I wouldn't knock anyone for trying anything, some people have got natural skills that others just don't have. Just to point out - on these courses you are plastering a tiny little box room ie a cupboard (in the trade these people are refered to as sh*t house plasterers) When I train a lad up after months of mixing up his/her first job when applying plaster to a customers house would only ever be in a small area like a cupboard so that if he/she does "ok" then its not a problem - if they make a hash of it it doesnt take long for me to correct.... Please NEVER say that plasterers are trying to put you lot out there off having a go because your doing us out of work.... your not, this simply isnt true ive got four guys on the books that are very good at what they do and I earn a healthy living from it.
In fact i think these courses are probably (sorry never been on one) good to get an insight into plastering to see if you enjoy it and you may want to take it up as a living.
Just to point out also - you din't see many "fat" plasterers (except the old boys with beer bellies) this is because plastering is the most physically demanding trade in building - you know youve been to work after plastering all day.
Please no more of this rubbish saying that you can "master" the skill after a few days - you simply cant. Iv'e been plastering 15 years and am still learning.

Cyclone - you will notice I have thanked you for your post, youve actually done us plasterers a favour - a lot of my work comes from correcting plaster work that has been carried out by 3 day day magical wonder plasterers so THANK YOU :T

PS After 1 driving lesson years ago I could drive a car - doesnt mean i could win the F1 championship.....

Couldn't have put it better myself mate, there are plasterers and there are plasterers, same as in any other walk of life. No way was I trying to decry the expert trade here

I could not possibly "plaster" for a living, too dam speed dependant, but, given a lot more time, I too can produce results better than many so called professionals.

I was actually singing from your side,
No offence meant and hopefully none taken :T

Plasterer

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Couldn't have put it better myself mate, there are plasterers and there are plasterers, same as in any other walk of life. No way was I trying to decry the expert trade here

I could not possibly "plaster" for a living, too dam speed dependant, but, given a lot more time, I too can produce results better than many so called professionals.

I was actually singing from your side,
No offence meant and hopefully none taken :T

None taken :beer: