Plastering

[tootles]

So, while the cat's away - the mice are plastering.......

Husband has had to go back to UK for a week or so and I intend to have a decent looking kitchen by the time he gets back (without interference or 'helpful' suggestions).

The walls in the room where the kitchen is (for the mo) are shockingly horrible. They are covered with a rough, yellow, ugly render and what would appear to be tar (or woodsmoke detritus) at the tops of the walls. There are some huge holes which I have already mortered and I have chucked on a large bucket of render over half of it. I didn't seal it first though - mistake. The black bits are showing through the new render! The stone walls around the original stone sink are covered in a very rough mortar which I have already started to plaster. I have used plaster of paris over large areas before and had no problem at all, now I have gypsum.

The problem is that the mix goes off too quickly (15 mins or so) while still in the bucket. The areas I am trying to do are not flat walls, there are corners and curves and small areas, and I am not a pro. Is there anything I can do to retard the plaster? I know about slapping it on, leaving, smoothing, levaing again and then polishing but the practicalities are somewhat different for a beginner!

Are there any plasterer grapes here??

[Hilary B]

Some plasters 'go off' quicker than others. If you've already got render (cement based?) you can't use the sure-fire slow-set stuff (lime which is the one I have worked with).
It may be better to make up small batches and work a small area at a time, so that you finish the prepared stuff before it sets hard. If it sets 'nearly smooth' you can use a sander to level it, and finish off with Polyfilla or the local equivalent (or even just paint over the sanded bit, but it will absorb a LOT of paint!).

[SlugLobber]

I was going to suggest small batches, too. That and a ticket to Surrey, because I need you!!!!!!!!!!

[tootles]

The bore with small batches is having to wash everything inbetween loads.
Anyone want to be my plasterers mate!!!

[vicky]

Is there something called PVA you can add to it?
I think you need a really clean bucket (old plaster makes it go off more quickly) and over mixing doesn't help
But I'm no expert - only my hubby builder's mate!

[tootles]

PVA is the white glue used in schools (and everywhere else). It is good for sealing the walls etc but I'm not so sure I should add it to my plaster. Although a good wet layer on the walls may well help??

I have just finished another bucket of the render on the walls. It is great stuff. The French chuck it everywhere, it comes ready mixed in 15Kg buckets and covers really well. I might just give up on the gypsum and stick with the 'crepi' instead. It does take 48 hours to dry properly though.

I read somewhere that plasteres charge £25 per sqM?? perhaps I should persevere!!

[scarey55]

I have just finished another bucket of the render on the walls. It is great stuff. The French chuck it everywhere, it comes ready mixed in 15Kg buckets and covers really well. I might just give up on the gypsum and stick with the 'crepi' instead. It does take 48 hours to dry properly though.

Just a word of caution, sorry We have crepi in our house and it is a bu@@er for collecting cobwebs and they just stick to it when you try to get them off. If you are going to do the kitchen walls with it you might have problems keeping it clean. I don't want to curb your enthusiasm, just that this is my experience.

EDIT: I've just realised that this sounds like one of your Husband's interference and "helpful" suggestions, sorry

[tootles]

In a normal kitchen I would agree.........
My kitchen, on the other hand, will only be a kitchen for 18 months max (MAX Mr T) then it will be plasterboarded and turned into a cloakroom, larder and hallway. The 'real' kitchen, though, currently has no floor, no ceiling and no roof (never mind tiles, water electricity and smooth walls!) I just decided that my temporary kitchen was too gross and wanted to make it look more like a kitchen and less like a cellar. Also, this is a great practice before I am let loose on the children's bedrooms - when they have them (above 'real' kitchen).




p.s. cobwebs are good....... the spiders eat the flies!

[grasser]

hi first of all wat type of plaster are you usig [thisle finish or browning ]

[tootles]

OOh Grasser my hero!!

It is French 'Platre de construction' a basic gypsum plaster. The bag says it is fine so I would reckon on it being best for skim coat, however, the builders merchant chap said thet it would do for rough walls as a thicker coat. The French don't plaster in quite the same way as the Brits. Plasterboard gets a skim and everything else gets an 'enduit' which is generally plaster of paris.

The walls are really rough and so need a thick coat - which is what I am finding tricky to get on in time before the whole bucket goes off.