Replies

1. 
   MSA1 | Oct 18, 2007 05:20am | #1

   Buy some plaster, a "Hawk" and some knives and go down into your basement and start working on your walls.

   Seriously, IMO the only way to learn plaster is to do it. Kind of like drywall taping. My helper is learning and I try to make him do as much as possible and I try to offer tips. The only way he's going to get the feel for the knives is to use them.

   Good Luck

    

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 18, 2007 03:25pm | #7

   I was gonna say "Just do it!" That is how I learned, but I had done sr and cconcrete work and had watcched it done too first.but I find trowels easier than knives for plaster 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   Yersmay | Oct 18, 2007 04:50pm | #8

   Maybe I didn't type the .com in the original link. Try http://www.wconline.com.

1. 
   etherhuffer | Oct 18, 2007 06:37pm | #9

   Learn the plaster and then study up on fresco. You can turn basic plaster into gorgeous and permanent color.http://www.etherhuffer.typepad.com

2. 
   MSA1 | Oct 19, 2007 04:26am | #11

   You're right. a trowel would be the correct tool for plaster. I've never done plaster but i've seen it and I know i'd have to ruin a few walls before i'd even try to get anyone to pay me for it.

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 19, 2007 05:14am | #12

   'snot that hard to get right if you have basic techniques downBut getting them down an ruin a couple of good days first 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   nycarpenter | Oct 18, 2007 05:25am | #2

   Get the book "Plastering Skills" by Van Den Branden and Hartsell. Published by American Technical Publishers.The pictures in the book are a hoot!  Some of the guys look like they could mix plaster in their sleep.  If you learn some of the basic stuff you will catch on quickly.  I made some plaster arches and a curved  stove hood for a wild kitchen renovation by reading this book.  Now the Arch calls me for his curved plaster work- A little knowledge can be a good thing!

3. 
   popawheelie | Oct 18, 2007 07:13am | #3

   I did some but it wasn't repairs. It was new plaster on furniture i built. It was kind of fun. I used a two coat system. If i remember right I think I used a rubber float that you use for grouting tile. It was much easier and forgiving to use.

1. 
   Yersmay | Oct 18, 2007 09:17am | #4

   I've been fascinated by plaster for many years... I've learned to do repairs and some texturing. In the course of re-modeling my bathroom I plastered the walls and ceiling and even learned how to do 'dots and screeds' to get everything plumb, level, flat, and square. Then I learned to mix gauging plaster for a lime putty finish. It was exhausting but fun. The book, Plastering Skills, is a must have. I was very fortunate to find a professional plasterer over the internet to mentor me through the bathroom re-model. There is a website and a forum at http://www.wconline. Not always the most focused forum, but at times it can be extremely informative. Good luck! It's a terrific material.

1. 
   inperfectionist | Oct 18, 2007 01:58pm | #5

   Yers,

   I'm interested in this plastering site (big time plastering enthusiast that I am). I couldn't get the link to work though??

   Harry

4. 
   Jer | Oct 18, 2007 02:09pm | #6

   The best way to learn is to do it as a helper with a pro, but that is rare to find anymore. There are some books on the subject, many of them from the UK, but follow the advice here and get Plastering Skills, it is the book that is required for all union plasterers when they train. Just start in by doing small repairs and get advice from plasterers if you can. Get a hawk, 2 plaster trowels (4x11 or 13), 1"&2" margin trowels, and a guaging trowel. You can get these at a good mason supply, and get good ones like a Marshaltown top end.

   Plastering used to be a very common skill like carpentry but it has dwindled so much because of sheet rocking that it is hard to find anyone to do it. It also runs more in certain areas of the country, New England for instance has more traditional plastering.

   It's fun to do a little and dabble in, but if you do it full time, it's exhausting. These days I just do patches and repairs. Once in a while I'll run into some ornamental work & repairs and I'll bring out the tools.

5. 
   Huntdoctor | Oct 19, 2007 02:05am | #10

   Thanks for all the replies. I will find the book "Plastering Skills". By talking to people in my area it sounds like it will be worth my time. I will mainly work on repairs and small jobs. We do mostly fire/water/storm restoration with insurance companies involved.

   Any other ideas will be great

    

   The HomeOwners Handyman

   Allegan, Michigan 49010

1. 
   talkingdog | Oct 19, 2007 07:28am | #13

   I learned the bit of plastering I know from watching the real guys and also from doing some reading. In addition to the need to develop the "hands" to do plaster work through working with mud, to avoid certain kinds of disaster, there is a certain amount of knowledge of chemistry and physics that you need to acquire from books.Now, as much as I like plastering, I must say that's very physically exhausting, and I am not sure if my 50-year old body could take a steady diet of it.

6. 
   Jer | Oct 19, 2007 01:40pm | #14

   White coat is all about technique and especially timing. Brown and scratch is basically the same as stucco work.

7. 
   peteduffy | Oct 19, 2007 03:25pm | #15

   You're going to have sore arms and shoulders.

   I've learned a lot by watching my neighbor-a 4th generation plasterer.  It is an art.

   I can fix holes and such, but trying to do a small wall, like in a bathroom, really wore me out and wasted a lot of plaster.

   There is a trick to knowing how much to mix, and what to mix, and getting the consistency right.  As far as application, it's basically all time on the tools (according to neighbor).  That's how you learn the touch.

   Watching him, it doesn't even seem like work for him.  I think the trowel is just growing out of his arm, an extension of his body.

   Go at it, make mistakes, learn, and have fun.

   Pete Duffy, Handyman

8. 
   BryanSayer | Oct 19, 2007 05:03pm | #16

   Don't underestimate the importance of learning to mix the materials. You'll have to find out what is available in your area and learn how to use it.

   Also, if doing repairs, it helps to know what bonds with what, and when you need to add bonding agent.