Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Tips About Plastering Drywall

Plastering a wall can be easier with a few helpful tips.


Plastering drywall can offer quality, convenience and speed over ordinary drywall. Plaster is harder and more durable. The veneer covers the entire wall, so seams do not show like they sometimes do in drywall. It also takes only one day to plaster a wall instead of the three it takes to finish drywall.


Conditions


Ideal conditions are important. The climate should be well controlled when working with plaster.The temperature of the room should be between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit to allow proper setup time. The warmer the temperature, the faster the setup time is and the shorter the time needed to work with the plaster. There should also be low humidity. High humidity will hinder the performance of the plaster. The plaster will not adhere well in high-humidity situations.


Blue Board


Use Blue Board under plaster if possible. It has the same composition as drywall, installs and cuts the same as drywall, but is made for plaster veneer surfaces. The surface of the board is treated to bond chemically with the plaster and ensure adherence.


Sheetrock


Sheetrock can be used, but has to be treated to accept the plaster. Apply a primer to the drywall surface that is specially formulated for plaster applications.


Plastering


Wet the hawk before putting on plaster to prevent the plaster from sticking. Center the plaster on the trowel and apply it to the wall using long, upsweeping motions. Maintain even pressure to make a smooth coat. Each coat should be between 1/8-inch and 1/16-inch thick. Apply the first layer to the entire area, and then apply a second, thinner layer while the first layer is still wet. No sanding is needed between layers. Plaster the ceilings first. The plaster might be messy and drop onto the walls. You don't want to mess up freshly plaster walls. There will be about 30 minutes to work with the plaster, and 45 minutes to one hour before it sets, depending on the season and plaster mixture. To make a plaster that sets up faster, mix the plaster with a joint compound using a 50/50 mix ratio and add the recommended amount of water. Let the plaster and compound absorb the moisture and then mix thoroughly. This mixture is helpful in humid climates. Make sure to follow all manufacturers' directions for the plaster and compounds.


Painting


Plaster has a natural off-white color and does not require paint. If a particular color is desired, the plaster can be painted or colored. Paint added to the plaster during mixing allows the color to be even and continuous. Take the time to make sure cracks and imperfections are fixed before painting. Allow plaster to dry two to three days before painting. Sanding isn't needed before painting.








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