How to Plaster a Wall Successfully
Occasionally, you may find that you need to plaster a wall whether as a repair or as part of a remodeling project. While for some, this may appear to be a daunting task but it is actually quite easy. With some basic tools and materials, you can find this job done in no time.
Before you can being plastering, you need to prepare for the job. Since plastering is quite a messy task, make sure you don old clothes. Cleaning the surface where you will be plastering is also a must. Simply use either a rag or brush. You may also use water as well if it is a concrete wall. On the other hand, drywall or other kinds of wall boards must be taped and mudded.
After prepping, the plaster must be mixed. Fill a bucket with a sufficient amount of water. Usually the package of plaster will provide you with specific directions. Mix the water and the plaster carefully. Continue to mix until all lumps have been dissolved. Now you are ready to put the base coat on the wall. To do this, place a generous amount of plaster onto your trowel. Next, apply this to the wall’s surface evenly at about a thickness of 3/8 inch. Make sure you consistently apply the coat in the same direction. For instance, you might opt to go top to bottom or left to right. When applying the base coat, make sure to apply the plaster evenly. Once finished, allow this coat to completely dry.
Once the base coat has dried, it is now time for the brown coating to be applied. First, you must prepare the coating. In your bucket, again mix both water and plaster. This time you will also add sand to the mixture. The instructions will tell you how much sand to add. This second coating is put right on top of the base coating. Apply the brown coating with a thickness of about 3/8 inch. Let this application dry. Then apply the third and final coating which is done with a lime coating. It also needs to spread evenly with a thickness of about 3/8 of an inch.