Plaster repair

[Moo]

I've nearly finished cleaning the ceiling rose in my little back sitting room - most gratifying, especially when a great chunk of accumulated layers of whitewash cracks off and reveals exquisite details (less gratifying when other bits simply refuse to budge). I've resorted to using my electric toothbrush on the thinner, recalcitrant, layers.
However, two little (3cm) rosettes have broken off, together with the end of one of the leaves that project from the edge, and I'm rapidly reaching the stage when I'll need to stick them back on.
What should I use? I have a suspicion that they would oroginally have been attached with plaster of Paris, but I really don't want to end up with a bag nearly full of the stuff. Is there an alternative that is available in very small quantities?


ps. I can't understand why that room has such a grand ceiling rose and cornice. I've looked on Booth's map, and our street was very humble indeed (pink, unlike our son's street, which is a proud red). The rest of the house has either very basic (in the hall) or no cornicing at all.

 

[angrybird]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plaster-of-paris-Fine-casting-PLUS-500g-/261085447431?pt=UK_Crafts_Ceramic_PotteryMaking_SM&hash=item3cc9e7c507&_uhb=1#ht_542wt_699
£1.20 for a 500g bag plus £1.40 P&P
they may do smaller amounts if you ask them x

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

Moo,

I'd be inclined to avoid trying to use plaster of paris, as it will tend to stiffen almost instantly when applied to existing plasterwork and not squeeze out of the joint to allow close contact of the mating faces. What about one of the water-based gripfill - type adhesives (Unibond mega-grip solvent free, or Sika Maxtack for example) which have enough body to fill any slight gaps and can be wiped clean with a damp rag? Should also hold without requiring temporary support, unless the parts are very heavy.

Or, if you can provide temporary support you could invoke the help of the goddess of broken things, Araldite.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

It might not be kosher, but I'm damned sure your historical builder would have used stuff like No More Nails if they'd had it.

Whilst I don't think you can extend this principle to expanding foam filler and other horrors, I think you can to the odd section of polyfilla or NMN.

 

[Moo]

Whew - that's a relief!
We're on our way to a lecture at the Dulwich Picture Gallery this morning, and there's a very good little builders' merchant right beside the bus stop, so I'll be able to get the sticky stuff on my way home.

Whatever would I do without PPUK?

xxx

 

[MdB]

Polyfilla = P of P + sawdust, so I wouldn't worry about using that if you need to.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Think there is something called milliput--something like that --I've lost the reference for it.

 

[plasticpigeon]

How about getting plaster of paris, pouring some onto some greaseproof paper, breaking it up when dry and then sticking it back together again with various things to see which works. I think it would have to be something thin without much body or it won't go back together closely. I have a hunch sealing the surface with PVA might be a good starting point, and then maybe using coving adhesive, or maybe even superglue.

This job is done by professionals I'm sure, I've seen it on the telly, so there must be a recognised way of doing it!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Moo, your point about wondering why your house has some quite grand plaster work is interesting-- my friend who has just moved into a house of similar age,-- in a similar street to yours, and ours, -- in Whitby has made the same comment. Some of the houses there have decorative plaster gorbels, cornicing and ceiling roses, all seem to be the real macoy! I wonder if it is to do with the success of the person who lived in the house at the time, maybe in employment, such as millinery, dress or glove making. Might be worth doing a bit of research into the history of the house. In our little street it is detail in the exterior brickwork that shows some houses to be 'better' than others. I gather that two builders started our street off, beginning at opposite ends until they met in the middle, and using whatever they could lay their hands on to build with and show off their brick laying skills! I also gather that the houses were often rented from the builders.

 

[worms]

your point about wondering why your house has some quite grand plaster work is interesting...

I was thinking about this too, a couple of weeks ago while waiting for an Indian take-away ( :roll: ) in a shop on the ground floor of a Glasgow tenement (built c1880). As is quite common, the public waiting area is where there would originally have been the shop part and the counter at a point where there would once have been an internal wall. The area behind the counter had the old cornicing still intact and a ceiling rose (round the single 60W bulb!). As far as I can make out, the plain ceiling was in the public part of the original shop and the cornicing in the private portion. Not a grand building or particularly high status location, but the finishing touches were obviously all there - at least for the owners, if not the public.

 

[Nigel Watts]

If a little piece has broken off I would be inclined to stick it back on with something like UHU. This much less messy than plaster and will give a neater finish.

If a largeish rosette has come adrift a 50:50 mix of plaster of Paris and lime putty is quite good for sticking it back on, and probably what was used originally. The surfaces should be keyed and wetted first, and it can help to let the mixture start stiffening a little before applying. Place a cushion or something soft underneath in case it falls down. Different types of plaster of paris have different strengths. Herculite is better than casting plaster for this and has worked well for me. Artists' suppliers often have smallish bags for sale (eg Tiranti's in Warren Street), but if you dont have any lime putty to hand this probably isn't of any help.