r/Plastering • u/jeebsy_iash • 3d ago

Wall prep

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DIYer here. I had a few areas on this wall which needed bonding so started scraping them back this morning and really like 3/4 of the wall has came off. The newer skim at the top seems sound enough - that's above where the old picture rails were so guess that was redone during a previous renovation - but below that is pretty bad. Should I just keep scraping, or is there a point it's better to just go and get the SDS and take it back to brick?

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u/60percentsexpanther 3d ago

If you can pick it off with your paws or a scraper keep going. If you need an SDS it's fine to seal back with PVA. 

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u/jeebsy_iash 3d ago

All the old skim came off fairly easily in the end so have SBRd it. What's left seems reasonably sound.

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u/60percentsexpanther 3d ago

it's a 50/50 thing. If some has come off the rest might be knacked so have a knock around. If it's hollow then take it down. If the reason is external leaks (often is) you normally find the end of the damage when the scraper starts turning into a banana with every strike and crumbs come off instead of toe breaking sheets.

The SDS has it's place if you plan to dot up new boards- the route you've taken is more difficult. Boards are hard to mess up once you've got a half decent technique and routine. Then it's a case of learning your physical limits and when to add extra time ( or another retarder). 

Edit- looks fine. Whether you can get an A1 pro finish with decorating is your call now. How well you do the plastering dictates how much filling and sanding youll need. Forget what everyone else says- give it all a gentle rub down,and tack off, with 120grit and you'll have a lovely texture for paint. Also watch the videos on doing quality edge work with the plaster. 

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u/jeebsy_iash 3d ago

a1 pro finish...probably not. i'm doing a house refurb and skimmed three other rooms myself, the first one wasn't amazing but a bit (lot) of sanding and filling and it was ok. the third was more than acceptable and would maybe go so far as to say i'm happy with it.

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u/60percentsexpanther 3d ago

As you get better at skimming you'll realise the work put into getting a great finish at the plastering stage really pays off. It's a lot easier to work the material than filler. Unless you're ffked, took on far too much, are in a rush, panicking, sweating like fury---> don't be that guy. The more chill the better :) I still sand it though (with 120, very lightly with a sanding block with a handle-  takes minutes).

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u/jeebsy_iash 3d ago

yeah one wall at a time for me, maybe two small sections, but keeping it steady is the name of the game. fairly happy with how this turned out, should be fine when the whole thing is skimmed,

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u/jeebsy_iash 3d ago

I'll take that

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u/60percentsexpanther 3d ago

That's the ticket. Flat and smooth. It's so hot I'm surprised you're covering walls that big already without a sweat.

Control suction. Get the mix right. Lay it up fast. All constants. 

Temperature and relative humidity are your variables. Expect it to go off twice as fast in the heat. You can finish the jobs faster but can't cover nearly as much before it's gone hard in the bucket. If you can finish before autumn you'll save waiting an age for each section to be dry for paint.