A plastered ceiling in the works.
Applying plaster on a ceiling can be a messy endeavor, however, virtually anyone can complete the task. Depending on your desired look, there are many ways in which plaster can be applied. The most common is to have it sprayed on, however, that's for another discussion. Here we will cover apply plaster on a ceiling the old-fashioned way: with a trowel and putty knife. Here's a few tips.
Instructions
Apply Plaster to Ceilings
1. Cover your floor and furniture with a drop cloth or plastic to ensure the area below does not become caked with plaster or dust. Have a vacuum handy and periodically suck up dust and debris.
2. Tape the wall / ceiling seams. You don't want plaster getting on your walls. To make sure this doesn't happen, simply apply a run of masking tape around the perimeter of the walls. The top of the tape should be level with the ceiling.
3. Inspect your ceiling to make sure the drywall or plywood is smooth. If it is not, lightly sand rough spots. When your ceiling is cleaned of debris, cover any joints with drywall tape to cover them. Failing to seal joints will result in gaps and bumps in the plaster, possibly causing it to flake and fall.
4. Secure the ceiling joints. To accomplish this, apply a thin coat of joint compound over the tape with a putty knife, overlapping it by 1 inch. After it is dry, sand away any rough spots. Once it is smooth, cover it again with a think layer of the plaster you intend to use on your ceiling.
5. Begin covering your ceiling. With a standard plastering trowel, begin applying the plaster. Keep in mind, that you will want your ceiling's texture to look uniform, even if you desire a hodge-podge look. Even abstract applications have some uniformity. It is, therefore, important to start in a corner and work your way left to right. Pay close attention to the thickness of the plaster once it is applied. It is easier to apply plaster thinly rather than cake it on and try to spread it. Take you time. When have covered the entire surface of the ceiling. Allow the plaster to completely dry before sanding rough spots and filling in depressions.
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