Hey all,

I'm a plastering novice compared to some of you. I have however skimmed the whole inside of my 2 storey house, so I now consider myself reasonably handy at it. Some pics of my recent work are in the showcase gallery. The question I have is in relation to applying PVA to a wall (on existing plaster) or ceiling prior to skimming. I've always given it one good coat of watered down PVA and it worked great. I've read on here quite a bit that we should apply two coats - which I can see the logic in. Now, some say to skim when the second coat is still tacky. Why does it need to be tacky? Given that I've had no problems with one coat that has hardened.

I've been drafted into an inlaw's 'home improvement project', for want of a better term. There's a couple of us involved and my area is the plastering. I've been instructed that I need to put two coats of watered down PVA on and then another coat just prior to skimming. I don't want to do it this way as I don't see the need, I just want to do it my own way - although I will definitely give it two coats on this occasion to make it easier for myself. Rather than fall out over it (which is possible) I'd like to hear the views of the experts.

Thanks in advance.

_________________
I always blame my tools

Did a search and I found this.

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum ... t1663.html

Just as I thought.

_________________
I always blame my tools

I'm no pro at plastering but I've never applied a fresh coat of PVA just prior to plastering. My reasoning is that the moisture in the new plaster will reactivate the existing PVA and make it sticky again. Works for me, not had plaster crack when drying out

It depends on the suction of the back ground. If theres a fair bit of suction then coats of pva is what i do everytime. I also skim on pva when its tacky. Nothing wrong with that at all. It gives me more work time.
Try it on a big artex ceiling

The ceilings are artexed as it happens, so maybe I'll try the tacky PVA bit on the ceiling. The walls will be straight forward.

Thanks for your input guys.

_________________
I always blame my tools

Also try skimming on a rendered wall that aint got a waterproofer in the top coat with one coat of pva

use wickes bonding agent. it kills suction dead.

brush or roller it on then skim when it has dried, gives you a little more time to play with.

it is dearer but better in my opinion than pva, if you are using pva then do at least two coats letting the first dry.

Thanks a lot guys!

_________________
I always blame my tools

If you want the cheapest bonding agent try spraying the wall with water! Keep spraying till the water starts to run down the wall, that means there is no suction Then skim away. Thers a better bond when you do this than when you pva