Plastering

Plaster is a mixture of lime or gypsum. water, sand, and sometimes even fiber. It hardens to a smooth solid material that is used to coat ceilings and walls. Plastering a wall is a very easy task to accomplish. There is not really very much skill involved. The most important thing to get right when trying to do a good job of plastering a wall is probably to make sure to mix the right consistency of chemicals. The plaster is supposed to provide support to the wall o­n which it is applied. It is also key to remember to wet the surface before applying the plaster. This will ensure a better grip.

One should apply three smooth coats to ready the surface for wallpaper or paint. The first coat is called the scratch coat and it should be applied at a 3/8 of an inch in thickness. The reason it is called the scratch coat is because it is brushed with a comb to create a rough texture. The second coat is called the brown coat and it is applied directly to the scratch coat. This coat should also be applied with a thickness of 3/8 of an inch. This coat has a rough texture to it due to the sand that is mixed into it. The final coat is traditionally called a lime finish. This coat should have a thickness of o­nly 1/8 of an inch. The lime putty is blended with water in a mixing board. The plaster should be lump-free and mixed to the proper consistency. To ensure that the plaster sets properly, water should be splattered across the surface of the plaster, twenty-four hours after finishing the job and for the next three to four days afterward.

Plastering is easy when o­ne takes the time to do the job the right way.