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bobh567
Junior Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2008
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject: Preparing old walls for skimming |
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Hi all,
My first post here :)
I was just about to give this guide a go http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/PLASTER_SKIMMING.htm
My first attempt at plastering too!!
I've just stripped some walls of their lining paper to reveal a few layers of flaking paint. Also, some of the old skim has come off in places to leave a few shallow craters.
What prep do I need to do to the walls before skimming over?
Any help appreciated :) |
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rated_2000
Junior Member
Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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depends whats underneath board or plaster
you will need to use pva/water, cause paint will suck the water out of any plaster u put on, causing cracking and also u will get caught out and not be able to move the plaster once its on
the deep bits u speak of should just fill in with skim, depending on how deep they r? |
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bobh567
Junior Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the reply!!
There is plaster underneath. The "deep" bits are only a couple of mm where the old skim has come off.
OK, will use PVA and water. What is the ratio of PVA to water needed? |
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rated_2000
Junior Member
Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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yeah u will fill in with skim on the few mm's thats fine, if its plaster underneath u will deffo need pva/water anyway cause again it will drink the water, with pva u just need to keep putting coats on til its no longer drying quick, could be 2/3 coats maybe more, everycase is different and depends on your plastering skills if u not very experienced, u will want as much time as u can get, so it pays to prep well.
others tips: mix ya skim pretty wet to give u more time with it, also have a big brush on standby, cause if its starts to dry on u, u can to some extent put a wet brush over it to keep it alive in an emergency |
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bobh567
Junior Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info, much appreciated 
Sorry if this is a stupid question: do I need to skim when the PVA mix is still wet? |
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rated_2000
Junior Member
Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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no not a silly question
after your final pva, u want it to be quite dry but sticky like the bk of a yellow post it note 
run ya fingers over it, if it s not sticky slap a stronger coat on, best with a roller.
also i dunno what trowel ya using but if it just a cheap one from diy store u will probably struggle cause it wont be broken in it will jus be a complete flat
happy to help if u hav anymore questions  |
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bobh567
Junior Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers mate. Thanks so much for your help.
Well, I'm just using a float like this one to apply the plaster (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9285369&fh_view_size=6&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=float&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1217451072066&isSearch=true)
Any good?
How do you break in a float?!
Seems I a more clueless than I thought! |
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rated_2000
Junior Member
Joined: 22 Jul 2008
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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yeah that ones is a standard one not broken in, not stainless steel so if your not carefull it will be covered in rust in no time
a broken in one willcost £35 or so, u r likely to get drag marks off the corners of that one, and the edges will be not great, u could file the corners down (rounded), there was a good web page showing u how to break in a trowel thats not pre worn, but i cant find it! ill keep looking and post a link.
u could get away with that trowel for a one off, if u do some diy breaking in.
a normal trowel takes a while to break in , plasterers will use new trowels for rendering to break them in.
i just bought a 14 inch marshalltown pre worn one and it works wicked, been using it on the job |
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bobh567
Junior Member
Joined: 30 Jul 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:16 am Post subject: |
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one more question for your mate..
any tips of get a good finish for exterior corners?
I have been filing down the edges of my trowel!! so hopefully should be ok. |
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