Restore Plaster Walls And Ceilings-Plaster Repair For Large Holes
Plaster walls and ceilings restoration is a lost art for most of us. Most professionals will only do short-lived repairs by using a simple mix of plaster and joint compound that will look good at first but not everlasting. Here are the steps on how to do proper restoration for your plaster walls and ceilings.
You will need:
- Plastic trowel
- Hammer
- Water and sponge
- Bonding
- Solution
- Plaster
- Medium and fine sandpaper
- Stiff scraper
- Taping knives
- Shop vacuum
- Structolite or perolated plaster
- Joint compound or spackle
Steps:
- First, cover the area where the restoration will be done. Use the drape plastic over any open doorways to contain the mess to the room. Place blankets over any furniture that can\’t be removed from the room as well as hardwood floors.
- To remove the loose plaster which includes the brown coat that layers beneath the plaster like cement, you can use the hammer and stiff scraper. Work out from the center of the “hole” until the plaster is firm. Continue this process for all the damaged areas in the room. Make sure that you are protected by wearing hand and eye protection and dust musk throughout the process.
- Next, clean up the room. Use the vacuum to clean the spots to be repaired thoroughly. Use the sponge to clean the spots and “lathing” beneath the brown coat afterwards. Then, apply the bonding solution to the areas that need to be repaired. Do not skip this step and allow the bonding solution to dry according to the label\’s direction.
- Apply perolated plaster coat using the plastic trowel. Make the perolated plaster mixes according to the manufacturer\’s directions. Place the plaster into the area to be repaired, working from the edges to the center. Avoid filling up to the grade of the original wall surface. Leave it about 1/8″ below grade so there is room for the next coat. Scrape any excess and use sponge to clean. Leave the perolated plaster coat to dry at least 24 hours.
- Apply the next coat or “scratch coat” using the trowel. This coat is made from a mix of spackle and plaster or joint compound which is 2 parts plaster to 1 part of compound. Mix small amounts at a time. Apply the coat from the center outward with enough pressure on the trowel to spread the plaster into the edges and substrate. The coat should be even with the grade of the existing surface. Scrape any excess and use the sponge to clean before leaving it to dry for 24 hours.
- Then, sand any rough or high spots with medium sandpaper. You can apply self adhesive or mesh tape if necessary at this point. Sponge the area to clean. Apply the “cream coat” using the joint compound or spackle and the taping knifes. Spread a very thin coat that extends about a foot past the edges of your repaired areas in all directions. Leave the coat to dry completely before sanding the entire area. If you want to achieve the best finish, do a second or “polish” coat.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4688628_ceilings-plaster-repair-large-holes.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tigertwo/2369607054/
