Breathable skim top coat

[Deleted User]

Hi, can anyone recommend a good breathable skim coat to go over internal lime plaster walls, and is it possible to get the glass like finish that you can get with gypsum skim, I have spent the day taking a gypsum skim coat off the lime plaster walls, they are sound but far from smooth. TIA

FreeBear

[quote=[Deleted User];discussion/5922770]is it possible to get the glass like finish that you can get with gypsum skim[/QUOTE]

With gypsum plaster (the pink stuff), it should have a matt eggshell finish, not polished & shiny.

If you want a smooth polished finish with lime plaster, it is indeed possible - I've done it in my kitchen. Do a search for "Venetian plaster", and you will get countless images and articles.

If it is just a smooth finish you are looking for, Anglian Lime's FineLime or Mike Wye's Regency lime plaster would be suitable. Depending on how rough your existing surface is, you may need to apply a leveling coat first (certainly needed with Venetian plaster). Have a chat with both companies and they can advise accordingly.

FreeBear

If you are painting, then you certainly do not want a polished finish.

Got any of the Regency plaster left ?
Do a test panel, and as it dries, give it a quick burnish with the edge of a clean & sharp trowel. Watch this vid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xazP1xCaCc - and around 5:10 in, you'll see the technique of burnishing. Use a stainless steel trowel with rounded corners. Mild steel will leave rust marks, and sharp corners will gouge the surface.