DIY wall skimming

[bexta]

Hi,
I've just had one of my rooms skimmed over to get smooth walls, the guy made it look so easy so I've decided to have a go myself to save myself lots of money

I have all of the eqipment, I think!
Are there any tips anyone can give me to get a smoother finish or anything a begginer should know?

Cheers!

[raysparx]

Hi bexta,

I wish you good luck, if you think it is easy,think again,because he made it look easy,is because he is good at it,it looks easy putting a car engine together, if you are going to have a go,do a very small piece first,like a bit of making good,don't try to plaster a wall,cos I am sure you will regret it, have a go and see what sort of job you do, let us know, I would love to watch you, good luck, Ray

[bexta]

I will do a little first just to test it. Is it possible to get little bits off before it drys if it goes horribly wrong?

[raysparx]

Hi bexta,

If I was you I would,buy a 6 X 3 plasterboard, cut it into pieces and practice on that,You could pin it to an old wall,once the plaster is on and drying,you won't get it off,don't press too hard, take your time, you won't get a perfect finish as soon as you put it on,as it starts to go off you go over it again,if it is going off very quickly in this heat,flick water onto it with a paint brush,
Keep the float spotlessly clean,during and after working with it, the plasterboard will cost about �3.00 for a sheet,

good luck, Ray

[bexta]

Ok I think I might try that before I ruin my walls!
One last question - How do I know when it is going off? Does it just look a little less wet?

Thanks for your help! I think I need some luck!

[raysparx]

Hi bexta,

it is not runny,hard to describe really,you will get a feel for it,it is just different somehow,and as you run the float over it there is a smoothness feel about it, but never press to hard plastering is a knack,and experience thing as to when it is ok, as I said good luck, Ray

[ENGINEER1973]

Have you bought a worn in trowel?

[bexta]

Ok, I'll get a lot of practice first then, will be worth trying as 5 rooms in my house need doing and I've just paid �200 for one room!
I watched the plasterer for quite a while and he said he'd been doing it for 20 years so I know it doesn't come easy but i'll have a go at anything once!

Engineer1973- No I bought all new stuff from B&Q, will this make a difference?

[vehelpfulguy]

Bexta, I am 56 years old, and have done all sorts of DIY jobs over the years.

This includes rewiring a house, plumbing, carpentry, wallpapering, painting and so on. Most I have managed to master.

THE ONLY THING I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO MASTER IS PLASTERING. IT IS NOT EASY. YOU WILL NOT GET A GOOD FINISH. IT WILL PROBABLY LOOK AWFUL COMPARED TO WHAT THE OTHER GUY DID.

Save yourself a lot of bother, get someone in to do it.

It is a false economy to do it yourself.

[mycats]

My boyfriend is a plasterer, and trust me IT IS NOT EASY! He is very good at it and makes it look simple, so smarty pants here said "oh give me a shot, let me try" HA HA Gawd, what a mess

[raysparx]

Hi bexta,

The one thing you must NEVER try is to plaster a ceiling, you will not only be covered in it,but you will ache in places you didn't know you had, the reason I suggest you buy a sheet to practice on is that after the practice I doubt you will want to do the rooms,but you will be able to little bits of making good and patching, but I do think you should have a go, Ray

[ENGINEER1973]

Yeah you can buy worn in trowels due to new ones have very sharp edges.

One thing ill say is get someone to labour for you and yes do have a go, you only live once.

www.screwfix.com

[buildersmate]

The above makes very interesting reading. I agree entirely with Veryhelpfulguy. I do much the same list of things as he does and a few more including simple bricklaying and electrical work. The 2 tasks I won't do are plastering and screeding of floors - also a skill done by plasterers. I've tried it a few times, but I just can't get a good enough finish. But good luck if you give it a go.

[bexta]

Thanks for all of the tips guys. Yes it was extremely hard but I seemed to get a little better towards the end. The plaster became very hard towards the end so I gave up!
I didn't skim the whole wall, I just skimmed over the lumpy bits, it looks like its done the job.
All I have to do know is get rid of all the plaster off the floor so you can see it again!!
I'd have another go!