How To Plaster A Wall

Plastering walls is a very easy task, provided you know how to mix the chemicals to achieve the appropriate consistency. The plaster should support the surface where it is applied. After applying all the three coats, the surface should be smooth and suitable for applying wallpaper or paint. The task of plastering walls involves the application of three coats - the base (first), brown (second) and final coat. To start with, coarse or rough coats are applied to the wall. The base coat is a mixture of lime or gypsum, aggregate, fiber and water. The aggregate usually used in the base coat is sand. The work of plastering a wall can be really messy if not handled properly, hence it is advisable to work it up the plaster carefully and steadily, so that it does not dry up in the mid of the process. Go through the following lines and get instructions on how to plaster a wall.

 

Supplies Needed 

 

The very first step towards plastering a wall will comprise of mixing the chemicals, like aggregate, lime or gypsum and fiber. To do this, you need a bucket filled with clean, cold water. Add plaster to the water slowly, using a gauging trowel. With the help of a mixer drill, blend the plaster and water thoroughly. Make sure that the plaster is mixed to the appropriate consistency and is lump free.

 

The first coat, called the scratch coat, is applied to the walls at 3/8-inch thickness. It is called the scratch coat, because the surface is scratched with a comb, in order to give it a rough texture. 

 

The second coat, called the brown coat, is applied directly on the base coat. In this case also, the thickness of 3/8-inch is maintained. The rough texture to the coat is lent by the sand mixed in it.

 

The final coat, or the traditional lime finish coat, is applied at a thickness of 1/8-inch. The lime putty is prepared by blending it with water, in a mixing board. The final coat gives the wall a hard and shiny finish.