4 fantastic plastering tips for DIY beginners

You’ve decided to repair the hole in your wall. Good. However, before you begin, it is important to understand the basics of plastering. This is something that even professional builders find difficult to do. Our expert tips for DIY plastering will make your job easier and help you get it done right the first time. This article is for DIY beginners who want to improve their skills.

Plastering is often described as an art form due to the level of expertise required to do it correctly. The team at KONNSTRUCT have been plasterers for a long time and have the necessary skills and experience. These four tips will help you get up to speed and feel more confident in all aspects of plastering, from the beginning to the end.

Tip 1: Preparing your area for plastering

Many beginners make mistakes at the beginning. To avoid uneven results, preparation of the affected area is the most important stage in plastering. We will begin preparations to prepare the area for plastering in auckland.

Use a hard bristled toothbrush to gently remove any baubles and other areas of plaster. Smoothen the area. This is crucial for the final plastering result. This ensures that the plastering process is clean and free from bauble streaks. It also allows it to blend in with the surrounding area.

Tip 2: Getting the plaster mix right first time

Although it is not rocket science to get the mix right, if you don’t do it correctly, it can cause problems later. People make the common mistake of adding water to plaster in a bucket. This creates a congealment at bottom and increases the chance of poor plaster solutions. Add the water first to the bucket and then add the plaster in a 50/50 ratio. This will make it easier for you to stir the mixture and to top it off by hand.

Your plaster mixture should have a consistency that allows it to sit on the trowel and not slide or fall off. This can be easily determined by using the stirrer you used to test it. It’s ready to go if you are able to achieve this feat. Another tip for plaster is not to make it too thick. This can make plaster application extremely difficult and taxing.

Tip #3: Use a primer

Primers are used to remove the wall’s suction so that plaster can set properly. Failure to apply a primer or improperly applying it will cause the plaster to draw all the moisture out of the plaster solution. This can lead to “blown plaster”, where the plaster will crumble and fall off as it dries.

All hardware stores have a wide selection of primers that can be used to accomplish the task. You should only purchase the most basic primers as some are specifically made for wallpaper adhesion or drywall. You can make your own primer if you have PVA glue in the garage. DIY enthusiasts recommend this method. You only need to:

• Depending on the size of your plastered area, mix three quarters PVA and one quarter water.
• To maximize the bonding effect, apply the adhesive immediately to the area before you begin to plaster it.
• You can touch test the primer to see if it feels dry to your skin. If it does feel wet, you’ll need to wait until it becomes slightly gluey. You are now ready to go.

Tip 4 – Patience is a virtue

Plastering is a common mistake made by rookies. Each stage of plastering is judged by how you use your trowel. Then, with each swipe, you evaluate the smoothness. If you want to be familiar with the plaster mixture, it is always a good idea to do a practice run.

Instead of trying to smoothen it all in one coat, work on each subsequent coat. Every swipe will activate the bonding effect of the primer and make it more difficult and faster to set. You will soon see the results of your hard work.

…. Last thing

These plastering tips will help you make the transition from novice master plasterer to master plasterer quickly. Plastering is one of those things that you can master with practice.