Replies

1. 
   Huck | Jan 29, 2006 08:08am | #1

   I did my mom's house in Reseda after the big quake.  Used mesh tape and drywall joint compound.  Looks great (invisible) and hasn't had any fresh cracking since I did it several years ago.

2. 
   MrSQL | Jan 29, 2006 08:11am | #2

   Jim,

   I've repaired some big holes in plaster with more plaster, but for the hairline cracks I'd either leave them in or chip them out bigger (say 1/8" or so) and then putty over with light weight spackle.

    

   Roger <><

    

3. 
   kcoyner | Jan 29, 2006 08:15am | #3

   If the cracks aren't real bad, (i.e. loose plaster around the crack), I use an old beer opener to rake out the crack.  Then wet the area with a damp sponge.  Trowel in new finish plaster.  If you aren't comfortable using finish plaster, use a setting type compound like Durabond 90. 

   If the cracks are more serious and have loose ground coat or loose motar, that will need to be repaired to insure a lasting patch.  This is the point where I hire a plaster mechanic.

   k

4. 
   AaronRosenthal | Jan 29, 2006 08:56am | #4

   You could try http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40099&cat=3,41306,41316 for your problem.
   Don't know where you are so I don't know if it's convenient for you to order them, but they work.

   Quality repairs for your home.

   AaronR Construction
   Vancouver, Canada

    

1. 
   Shep | Jan 29, 2006 04:34pm | #6

   Shhhhhh! Don't tell too many people about those plaster washers.

   They're some of my "secret tricks".

1. 
   Jer | Feb 10, 2006 05:18am | #13

   Just ordered 200 washers today in fact.  Lee Valley.  Plaster jobs are suddenly starting to come in for some reason.

5. 
   Jer | Jan 29, 2006 03:51pm | #5

   Dig out the cracks carefully as not to loosen any of the plaster keys in back, as mentioned above a churchkey bottle opener works wel. Vac them out to get rid of any grit.  Apply fiberglass tape to the cracks and then spackle with the heavier stuff (green top), and feather accordingly.  You must tape the cracks, otherwise they always will reopen.

6. 
   mccarty12 | Jan 29, 2006 04:47pm | #7

   The plaster washers work great to firm up any weak area in the plaster. Try screw to the framing or into solid lath or the screw will spin around and not suck up tight. If it doesn't suck up tight it will leave a good sized bump which will make it harder to mud over.

   Plaster washers don't seem to be common so I've always had to mail order them.

1. 
   scottthebuilder | Jan 29, 2006 06:04pm | #8

   This may sound unorthodox but here is a method I have used for a 10 years and it has been great so far. In a slick or smooth plaster ceiling we scratch out the cracks with a window scraping tool that is really just a 1/4 inch wide chisel with a 90 degree bend in the end that comes to a point. The carbide tool designed to score hardi works well too. Then after scraping/scratching we apply a fine bead of sikaflex or vulkem polyurethane sealant. No tape or mesh tape. Tool the sealant so it is just below the surface of the plaster and be neat so it stays in the crack. After 24-48 hours when the sealant is cured somewhat, apply 1-2 skim coats of durabond or patching plaster. The reason we stay away from tape if possible is that these cracks will take a 2-4 foot wide joint to make them disappear if you raise the surface with a tape joint. If you are careful with the sealant it can be fixed with a 4" knife. This method is even easier when texturing a damaged ceiling. We often use a very very light orange peel on damaged plater ceiling almost like D-mix and then prime and paint flat. It's the ceilings that are going semi-gloss, eggshell, or satin that the tape patches are difficult to conceal. For those who have doubts I am looking up at a 25' long crack in my living room I patched with this exact method in 1997. Totally invisible even to my wife who is always more critical than 95% of my HO's. (That's Home Owners not sex surrogates)

   Scott

1. 
   BIGJIM05 | Feb 10, 2006 04:12am | #11

   Can you tell me where I can get this sikaflex? Cant locate it in the Chicagoland area.

   Any recommendations?

1. 
   scottthebuilder | Feb 10, 2006 04:43am | #12

   Here you go Jim.

   The Product

   http://www.sikaconstruction.com/con/con-repair/con-repair-sb.htm

   This is a great paintable all purpose poly based adhesive sealant.

   The Distributors

   http://www.sikaconstruction.com/con/pt-dyn-tables-choose-business.htm

    

   Good Luck

7. 
   JohnSprung | Jan 30, 2006 10:48pm | #9

   There used to be an excellent resource at

   http://www.ornamentalplaster.com

   They're getting the web site re-done at the moment. 

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   Jer | Jan 31, 2006 01:00am | #10

   What you see on that site is exactly the type of work I used to do.