I knew that plastering walls with gypsum plaster might not be the easiest task. But I didn't think it would be so difficult. I think I handle filler and such pretty well, so I thought plaster would work too, but no. I'm not at all satisfied with how it looks.
So now to the questions. Is it foolish to, as you do with filler, apply another layer and try to do better? Is it enough to moisten the "failed" layer and then apply again?
I followed the instructions to the letter when I mixed the plaster, because I didn't really know what consistency was the goal, but it was probably too thick. Is it very foolish to mix the plaster a little looser next time, or should you follow the instructions? Does adhesion differ if it's looser, or does it just take longer for everything to dry?
I'm moderately irritated right now, but it might feel better tomorrow, and I hope I can correct my mistakes without too much hassle.
One last thing, I bought a plastering float, but I find that the plaster stays quite soft for a long time. Should you let it dry completely before using that float?
So now to the questions. Is it foolish to, as you do with filler, apply another layer and try to do better? Is it enough to moisten the "failed" layer and then apply again?
I followed the instructions to the letter when I mixed the plaster, because I didn't really know what consistency was the goal, but it was probably too thick. Is it very foolish to mix the plaster a little looser next time, or should you follow the instructions? Does adhesion differ if it's looser, or does it just take longer for everything to dry?
I'm moderately irritated right now, but it might feel better tomorrow, and I hope I can correct my mistakes without too much hassle.
One last thing, I bought a plastering float, but I find that the plaster stays quite soft for a long time. Should you let it dry completely before using that float?
No direct answer to the question but regarding the consistency... the previous owner of our house plastered almost the entire basement and he said it was very hard work. So it should probably be quite thick.
Working with Gypsum isn't really that difficult. It's a bit hard to describe the texture, but think whipped cream x2.
Gypsum plaster isn't as sensitive regarding the amount of water as cement plaster is. The drying time might be a bit longer if you mix it a bit wetter, but in a thin layer, it's marginal.
We usually;
- Pre-treat the surface if needed.
- Apply strips, about 5 cm wide, from floor to ceiling.
- Press a piece of masonite into the plaster.
- Place the level on the strip and press so that it's flat and possibly plumb.
- Apply plaster between the paths when these have dried.
- Remove the plaster with the level rod.
- When the first layer has dried, we remove the masonite strips and fine-spackle the entire surface. For fine-spackling, we use a slightly looser plaster.
Personally, I think Gypsum is a wonderful product, but that's also largely because I'm terrible at plastering.
Gypsum plaster isn't as sensitive regarding the amount of water as cement plaster is. The drying time might be a bit longer if you mix it a bit wetter, but in a thin layer, it's marginal.
We usually;
- Pre-treat the surface if needed.
- Apply strips, about 5 cm wide, from floor to ceiling.
- Press a piece of masonite into the plaster.
- Place the level on the strip and press so that it's flat and possibly plumb.
- Apply plaster between the paths when these have dried.
- Remove the plaster with the level rod.
- When the first layer has dried, we remove the masonite strips and fine-spackle the entire surface. For fine-spackling, we use a slightly looser plaster.
Personally, I think Gypsum is a wonderful product, but that's also largely because I'm terrible at plastering.
Well, I thought Gypsum would be easy, but I guess I'm just bad at it =)
But to the important thing, now that I'm not at all satisfied with the result, can I apply another layer on the failed one, or will it come off then? The failed layer is maybe 2mm, so I thought I'd add another 2mm and hope I've learned something from yesterday's mistakes. Otherwise, I don't really know what to do with the failed layer, maybe apply fine filler instead?
I was planning to paint directly on the plaster later, but is that a bad idea? Should I apply fine filler first? What are the advantages of doing that?
Good tip with the masonite strip, I have a fairly long wall where I might need to do something like that to make everything even.
But to the important thing, now that I'm not at all satisfied with the result, can I apply another layer on the failed one, or will it come off then? The failed layer is maybe 2mm, so I thought I'd add another 2mm and hope I've learned something from yesterday's mistakes. Otherwise, I don't really know what to do with the failed layer, maybe apply fine filler instead?
I was planning to paint directly on the plaster later, but is that a bad idea? Should I apply fine filler first? What are the advantages of doing that?
Good tip with the masonite strip, I have a fairly long wall where I might need to do something like that to make everything even.
It's fine to add another layer. Gypsum can be applied in layers from 2 mm and can be worked up to a surface equivalent to a glass pane, so you can avoid fine-tuning. Whether you need to build up the wall with sand putty depends on how well you handle the gypsum mortar and how smooth you want the finished wall to be.
Great, then maybe I can save the wall from a life as an outcast and ugly. I have a trowel, is it enough to dampen the wall a little when it's dried and work with it to get the surface smooth afterward, or should I sand it?
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