Modern plaster

[tobydog]

One of the walls in our old kitchen is very rough. The builder removed the old units, sink and tiles when we had the new extension done but it wasn't plastered at the time. The wall in question is actually block work with gypsum plaster and I think it was a replacement for part of the old timber frame when the 'renovation' was done in the 80's.

The problem I have is that I can't get away with just paint and I don't see the merits in lime plaster on that wall. I could get someone in to do a modern skim, however, I've seen a product by Polycel called Smooth Over. You use a roller to put it on quite thick and then use a larger plastic float type blade to smooth it out. Has anyone tried this and is it any good?.

I can only get away with a skim because everything else like pipes and radiators are already in place and I have no real depth to play with.

Thanks

 

[Alex]

Hi Tobydog,
I learnt to plaster (ceilings & walls) about 15 years ago when I was a poor student and couldnt afford to pay a plasterer to skim over the acres of artex that we had in that house and have since learnt to lime plaster. I bought that Polycell stuff you mentioned to do a ceiling in this place and I found it really difficult to use, I couldn't get it smooth and in the end I gave up. I regretted wasting my money on it and would never use it again. I would be interested to know if anyone else has bought it and managed to get a good finish.

Alex

P.S. A neighbour of mine plasterboarded his whole room then filled all the joints with polyfiller, then put lining paper on which he then painted and you wouldn't know that it hadn't been plastered first, if that is any help.

 

[Feltwell]

I was working at the head office of a major DIY chain when ICI brought that product out. It was supposed to be an easy answer to getting rid of Artex - skim over it with their new product yourself rather than get a plasterer in.

It never worked very well, it was very hard not to get trowel marks when using their special applicator tool. I wouldn't bother personally - you're better off getting a plasterer in to skim over with gypsum multi-finish.

 

[Alex]

Thank you Feltwell, I thought it was just me not using it properly. I found gypsum plaster easier than using that stuff.

 

[tobydog]

Alex / Feltwell - thanks for the feedback. I was tempted particularly as the Robert Dyas hardware store had it discounted and I had an additional 15% off. I'll try and find a local plasterer.

 

[worms]

P.S. A neighbour of mine plasterboarded his whole room then filled all the joints with polyfiller, then put lining paper on which he then painted and you wouldn't know that it hadn't been plastered first, if that is any help.

My whole house was done on that basis when it was converted from a farm building to a house in the late '40s. Looks fine, but makes future redecorating difficult, since you are never really sure how deep you can go with stripping layers of wallpaper without gouging or soaking the gyproc.