Plastering cupboard

danrv

Hi
I'm practising some plastering on a heater cupboard and it's not quite as smooth as I'd hoped.
The back wall is OK but there's bumps on the side one to the right. 

Some areas are patch plastered so levelling new to old plaster. The water pipe doesn't make it easy either.
Just wondering if anything can be done to improve a slightly bumpy multifinish coat?
Any help appreciated.

danrv

It's ok. I've given it another skim.

FreeBear

For me, using a Speedskim was a game changer. Slap the plaster on, give it a couple of wipes with the Speedskim. Give the first coat time to firm up, and then apply a second coat. Again, a couple more wipes with the Speedskim, and then wait. As the plaster starts to go off, run a finishing trowel over. Any rough spots, give a quick rub with a wet sponge float, and hit it again with the finishing trowel.

danrv

FreeBear said:

For me, using a Speedskim was a game changer. 

I have the 600mm one. Useful size for cupboards. Plastering improving slowly and patching is a good way to start. Not quite at whole wall level yet.

subjecttocontract

I've had some success with Easy Fill. No skill required. Just a good straight edge and some patience.

danrv

subjecttocontract said:

I've had some success with Easy Fill. No skill required. Just a good straight edge and some patience.

Good idea. Hadn't really considered that. 
I tend to just use the Thistle Multifinish as it's cheap and durable.
Easifill seems quite expensive. Maybe something like this would do the job:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-405-standard-jointing-filling-finishing-compound-5kg/442RL?tc=ED6&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnui_BhDlARIsAEo9GutzK10sayEPvhZ5wlB-xEyx0WxNaCVkNBVqUpf3w42TCZeYE3nIiswaAg4fEALw_wcB

stuart45

danrv said:

subjecttocontract said:

I've had some success with Easy Fill. No skill required. Just a good straight edge and some patience.

Good idea. Hadn't really considered that. 
I tend to just use the Thistle Multifinish as it's cheap and durable.
Easifill seems quite expensive. Maybe something like this would do the job:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-405-standard-jointing-filling-finishing-compound-5kg/442RL?tc=ED6&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnui_BhDlARIsAEo9GutzK10sayEPvhZ5wlB-xEyx0WxNaCVkNBVqUpf3w42TCZeYE3nIiswaAg4fEALw_wcB

I've used a ready mixed version of that to finish a tape and fill job, that the customer had left from their decorating. I found it really poor quality compared to Knauf fill and finish.
I'm doing a tape and fill job now with Knauf. You can get it really smooth, even before a quick sand. This is part of it before sanding

danrv

stuart45 said:

danrv said:

subjecttocontract said:

I've had some success with Easy Fill. No skill required. Just a good straight edge and some patience.

Good idea. Hadn't really considered that. 
I tend to just use the Thistle Multifinish as it's cheap and durable.
Easifill seems quite expensive. Maybe something like this would do the job:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-405-standard-jointing-filling-finishing-compound-5kg/442RL?tc=ED6&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnui_BhDlARIsAEo9GutzK10sayEPvhZ5wlB-xEyx0WxNaCVkNBVqUpf3w42TCZeYE3nIiswaAg4fEALw_wcB

I've used a ready mixed version of that to finish a tape and fill job, that the customer had left from their decorating. I found it really poor quality compared to Knauf fill and finish.
I'm doing a tape and fill job now with Knauf. You can get it really smooth, even before a quick sand. This is part of it before sanding

Looks good. I take it that it sets harder than interior fillers like Polyfilla.
If it can be sanded, I guess it won't stand up quite so well to the odd ding here and there. Best for low traffic areas and would suit the cupboards that I'm doing.

The cupboard plaster is chunky Siraphite that has blown in quite a few places. It comes off quite easily but on some of the walls, it's solid so leaving those.

stuart45

It goes off quite hard in time. It's an air set, rather than a chemical set, so it's 12-24 hours between coats. Really popular in the trade for tape and fill now. Our local merch sells loads of it. 

FreeBear

stuart45 said:

It goes off quite hard in time. It's an air set, rather than a chemical set, so it's 12-24 hours between coats. Really popular in the trade for tape and fill now. Our local merch sells loads of it.

I've used the same stuff to patch a couple of small walls here. Once dry, it is quite solid and will take a bit of impact without any real damage. Just don't try to lay it on too thick (3mm tops) or it wil crack as it dries out.