Skimming?

[pieman]

I stripped off the many layers of woodchip. I now want to skim the walls, the walls I believe are original so am guessing lime plaster, what would be the best method would it be lime again or can I put a more modern equivalent. Apologies for the lack of knowledge, so advice as to the pros / cons would help.

Thanks all.

 

[Becka]

I don't pretend to be an expert (theres far better/more knowledgable plasterers than me on here but this will bump you up the list a bit so you don't get lost) but I expect the consesus will be if you have lime, stick with lime, like for like always seems to be safer in an old place and generally more aesthetically pleasing and very satisfying to do yourself and if I'm wrong then at least you're at the top of the page for others to correct me

 

[Nemesis]

Agree - to skim with anything else will require the walls to be coated with PVA and that's not good.

 

[pieman]

Thanks so far, any more takers!!

 

[Mark]

Lime.

I would dampen it, give it a coat of lime water and skim.

 

[Gervase]

Lime, definitely.
If you're skimming, use silver sand mixed 1.5:1 or 1:1 with lime putty and do two 1 - 2mm coats floated in opposing directions - one left to right, and one up and down. Use a stock brush or mist sprayer to keep the surface damp while you work it and you have a lovely smooth surface that any Victorian plasterer would appreciate.
Avoid the modern stuff like the plague!

 

[pieman]

When you say avoid the modern stuff like the plaque, why is that, if it were over skimmed with a modern material would it have a detrimental effect on the lime etc.

 

[Nemesis]

It would have to have something to make it stick - PVA - painted on the walls, which would have a detrimental effect on breathability.

It would additionally possibly delaminate in future, and it is prone to cracking as the house moves and the modern stuff doesn't.