Last room which lime?

[Socksitis]

So nearly there! ready to start repairing the plaster in the end bedroom. I have used a few tonnes of lime putty mix from Mike Wye, just used the last of the bag today. I am reluctant to purchase any more when I have some bagged lime to use up. There is NHL 5 and 3.5 as well as some consolidation mortar. I am familiar with premixed lime putty on the walls, but what should I use if I am to use up the NHL - the 3.5 or the 5. I know the 5 is quite strong and will set hard. Should I continue with the layer system of where applicable, consolidation (crumbly wall so will do), then haired then unhaired then a finer plaster finish?
What mix would I use for the walls? 3 sand 1 lime or the same as we used for the floor which was 2 sand and 1 lime?
Advice welcome.

 

[MikeG]

3:1 sand: 3.5 lime. And yes, build it up in layers as usual, although I personally would use 2 haired layers before the finer top coat. I'll just add the proviso that I prefer lime and chalk to lime and sand.

 

[paulc]

Use the sand/NHL3.5 mix for the base layer, and if you don't have any hair, use this: https://www.buildbase.co.uk/tdp-concrete-screed-fibres-10439-2800744
I see Sika do a bag of fibre (available from the likes of Wickes). Wouldn't advise using it though as it contains a soluble plasticiser.

 

[malcolm]

I'd get more putty and keep doing what has been working so far. Balance hideous postage costs with knowing it works. I mostly use 3.5 (5 is for floors) and it works for plaster, but I like to do a test panel with whatever sand I am using before doing the work as I have had some failures with modern sands. 1:2.5 is my normal mix, but that's with the sand I tend to use and yours will be different.

 

[Socksitis]

Thank you all for your replies. I will work the 3.5 lime as it will use up what I have. We have our own hair supply, so that is never a problem.