Ok pulling the house apart at the moment and finished boarding the ceilings and a stud wall so started work around the windows.Had new windows fitted and it was apparent the plaster around the windows was blown so hacked that back thinking i could get a piece of plasterboard up each side but its worse than i thought.Upon removing the window board it appears the whole area below it is blown.
Its not like ive seen before (im no plasterer btw) its like a thick coating (30-45mm) of a very lightweight, light grey plaster almost like celcon blocks are made of.It also doesnt appear to have a skim coat either or i just cant see that as its all grey.

Its over the top of breeze block if it helps and originally done in the eighties i think.

So what are my options ? Do i hack it all off and board it and skim or only hack back to where its good and board it and skim ?

As you can tell im a novice but learning and got a good mate who is going to show me how to skim so i can do the whole house eventually.Dont laugh, i know i wont be a time honoured spread but if i can learn it will save me a fortune as the whole house needs doing over time.I have plenty of time so happy to cock it up a few times to learn and practical natured.

Sounds like filler to me.....I think it's the crappy stuff you can get at the likes of B&Q. It's grey and soft and never quite seems to set hard.

Stick your finger in it and see if you can dent it.

I'd just pull it out, bond it (bonding or browning, depending on what how deep) and give it a skim over when it's set. Don't just use plaster or it'll sink and look shite.

As for skimming it yourself, can I suggest another way.......get someone to do it and pay.

You can do all the work you like underneith, but it's the skim that you'll see when you are done. If it looks crap, everyone will notice, you'll always know and it'll be a bitch to look good. If you want to be there a while, get someone to skim it for you - a pro.

I've built rooms from brick upwards in my place, bathrooms, kitchens and got everything done RIGHT - but I think, if it's the one thing I can't get perfect, it's what I'll always see.

BG

Take off what is loose, then square off and board, or board ans use undercoat plaster before skimming. Make sure you use dilute PVA and make sure the water will not get in. It may be the concrete cill letting water in, not the old window.

Good luck with learning to skim. Try and steal one of his old trowels when he teaches you. Part of the problem with learning is wearing in the trowel.

I reckon you are right there billy goat thats exactly what its like. I will learn to skim and will do a good job, the guys who is teaching me has faith and ive seen his work.Hes not even a plaster hes a car painter but he can do it no problem to a high level.If i could afford ot pay someone then great but i cant so need to learn.Also its easier to fit around the family life if i can do it for myself.Got let down by several plasters in the past so not doing that again,too much hassle, would rather the hassle of learning a skill i can use again and again.

Thanks jozeffo thats what i'll do then.

Oh, and the plaster may be readymix blue hawk or similar. Readymix goes against the whole concept of plaster.

On closer inspection its doesnt seem to be everywhere across the wall, it maybe because its behind a radiator that at some point they removed a rad and wrecked the wall.Then followed a good thick coating of this horrible pretend plaster stuff.

Nothing like someone saying you cant do something to fire you up, i cant wait to get going learning to get plaster on a wall.Bring it on

Probably Carlite bonding or something like that

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Looks like the scruff is bang on the money.Had my mother in laws fella round today and got chatting and turns out he did 3 years on the twoel as he put it so got him to take a look.Straight away he says its carlit bonding with a very very thin skim.

Gave me some very good pointers on how to sort it and no even more fired up to get it all done so will post pics as i do it for the usual should have done it this way amusement lol.