First time Plastering Help

Controlee

Right, I'm currently doing out my bathroom and I'm doing it all myself. I am going to plaster the wall and tile the floor.

I went to B&Q and got some thistle board finish.

I've watched some videos on youtube, but I still haven't had the guts to start.

Has anybody got any tips for a newbie (apart from, 'Hire a plasterer', as that was what B&Q was saying)?

Thanks!

Mojisola

Controlee wrote: »

Has anybody got any tips for a newbie (apart from, 'Hire a plasterer', as that was what B&Q was saying)?

No. Plastering is a skill and an art. Some people can do it and, after training, can do it really well.

Unless you're after a "rustic look" - the wall is meant to be all uneven and patchy - pay a plasterer.

rob7475

Are you plastering onto plasterboard? If not, you will need multi finish.

I'm not a pro plasterer but have practised and can get a good finish when skimming plasterboards or reasonably smooth walls.

Practise first before you start doing a room. Buy a couple of boards and have a go at skimming them.

The trick is to not try and get it too flat as you are laying the plaster on. Get the stuff on quickly and then work at smoothing it. Also, getting the consistency of the plaster right is important - too thick and it won't spread well, too thin and it'll be running down your wall.

Buy the best trowel you can afford - i bought a marshalltown and it does give me a better finish.

Finally, don't give up when your first attempt looks carp - you will get better with practise.

Mistral001

Mojisola wrote: »

No. Plastering is a skill and an art. Some people can do it and, after training, can do it really well.

Unless you're after a "rustic look" - the wall is meant to be all uneven and patchy - pay a plasterer.

I agree. I consider myself a good DIYer, but plastering cannot be learned without lots of practice and is really beyond the DIYer who only does it infrequently. Patch repair where repair arear is no wider than a plastering trowel is fine as you have the existing plaster as a guide, but large areas and whole walls needs to be done by a professional in my view unless you wanta rustic look as Mojisola says. Also it is not just getting a smooth finish, but knowing which plaster to use as rarely two walls are the same. Also mixing and the preparation of the surface before plastering begins nneds to be gotten correct if you want your plaster to stay on and not become hollow.

Controlee

I'm a very good DIY'er myself as well. I'm 27 and know that in the future I'd like to buy properties which I'd have to do up, and I want the skill sets to be able to do it myself; therefore learning to plaster makes sense for the long run.

I don't doubt that it would be an art to learn, but I am a very quick learner.

Controlee

rob7475 wrote: »

Are you plastering onto plasterboard? If not, you will need multi finish.

I'm not a pro plasterer but have practised and can get a good finish when skimming plasterboards or reasonably smooth walls.

Practise first before you start doing a room. Buy a couple of boards and have a go at skimming them.

The trick is to not try and get it too flat as you are laying the plaster on. Get the stuff on quickly and then work at smoothing it. Also, getting the consistency of the plaster right is important - too thick and it won't spread well, too thin and it'll be running down your wall.

Buy the best trowel you can afford - i bought a marshalltown and it does give me a better finish.

Finally, don't give up when your first attempt looks carp - you will get better with practise.

How long did it take you to learn to do your first room to a satisfactory level?

Mojisola

Controlee wrote: »

I'm a very good DIY'er myself as well. I'm 27 and know that in the future I'd like to buy properties which I'd have to do up, and I want the skill sets to be able to do it myself; therefore learning to plaster makes sense for the long run.

I don't doubt that it would be an art to learn, but I am a very quick learner.

See if your local college does any courses.

Otherwise, have a go. Until you try it and see what your results are like, you'll never know whether you'll find it worthwhile paying an expert.

I have a lot of respect for the good plasterers out there but the work is very messy and I wouldn't buy a property that had botched plaster because of the work that would be needed to put it right.

rob7475

Controlee wrote: »

How long did it take you to learn to do your first room to a satisfactory level?

I had a practise on a couple of walls in the cellar and they looked OK. So, I plasterboarded a ceiling in a small bedroom and had a crack at skimming it. It turned out well. Once painted, there were a couple of bits that needed filling with easyfill but it looks good now.

I'm not quick enough to plaster a very large wall or ceiling yet though and won't be attempting large areas till i've done some more smaller walls and ceilings.

I think plastering is one of those things you either pick up quickly or never pick up at all. I guess I was lucky that I learned quickly. Could be 'cos i'm a tight yorkshire man who doesn't like paying anyone to do something I can do myself to the same or better standard.

I've seen some work by 'pro' plasterers that is worse than what I can do. A lot of 'pros' these days have been on the learn to plaster in a week courses and think they can do anything. It's hard finding quality, reliable tradesmen these days.

I'm in the same boat as you really - the house i've bought needed a complete renovation. I've done most of the work myself including, plumbing, plastering, tiling, bathroom fitting etc all to a good standard. I just got tradesmen in to do the stuff that needs signing off ie. rewire and new boiler.

Controlee

Mojisola wrote: »

See if your local college does any courses.

Otherwise, have a go. Until you try it and see what your results are like, you'll never know whether you'll find it worthwhile paying an expert.

I have a lot of respect for the good plasterers out there but the work is very messy and I wouldn't buy a property that had botched plaster because of the work that would be needed to put it right.

Absolutely, I completely agree. The aim would be to give it a crack, and if I'm WAY off and don't think I could get the hang of it, then I'll leave it be. If I think I could get the hang of it, Bob's your uncle!

I'll have a look for local college courses on it.

Controlee

rob7475 wrote: »

I had a practise on a couple of walls in the cellar and they looked OK. So, I plasterboarded a ceiling in a small bedroom and had a crack at skimming it. It turned out well. Once painted, there were a couple of bits that needed filling with easyfill but it looks good now.

I'm not quick enough to plaster a very large wall or ceiling yet though and won't be attempting large areas till i've done some more smaller walls and ceilings.

I think plastering is one of those things you either pick up quickly or never pick up at all. I guess I was lucky that I learned quickly. Could be 'cos i'm a tight yorkshire man who doesn't like paying anyone to do something I can do myself to the same or better standard.

I've seen some work by 'pro' plasterers that is worse than what I can do. A lot of 'pros' these days have been on the learn to plaster in a week courses and think they can do anything. It's hard finding quality, reliable tradesmen these days.

I'm in the same boat as you really - the house i've bought needed a complete renovation. I've done most of the work myself including, plumbing, plastering, tiling, bathroom fitting etc all to a good standard. I just got tradesmen in to do the stuff that needs signing off ie. rewire and new boiler.

The bathroom which I'm doing will be re-done in a few years. This is just a temporary solution to make it look better than it's current state. The walls had bathroom wallpaper on them which started to look very old, and were going mouldy in parts. So I have stripped the wallpaper and now. Behind the wallpaper is a yellow insulation board (I'm not sure on the name of it).

Mojisola

rob7475 wrote: »

I think plastering is one of those things you either pick up quickly or never pick up at all.

It's interesting that rob says this - the master plasterers I have in the family always say you can tell almost immediately if someone is going to be a good plasterer - they just have a "feel" for the work from the start. That's where the art comes in. The techniques can be taught but the "feel" has to be there first if a high standard is going to be achieved.