HOW TO LIME PLASTER A WALL | Regency Renovation #15 | Build with A&E

In this episode from our Regency Renovation project John brings you his long awaited tutorial on how to lime plaster a wall.
To start he runs you through the plastering tools you will need to do the job. Next up is how to mix lime plaster and then on to applying the scratch coat and float coat. Finally John shows you how to mix lime putty for the final coat and then the finishing process.
The Tools
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• Plastering Trowels - amzn.to/2TBSbCK
• Plastering Hawks - amzn.to/2TD9OlJ
• Marshalltown M/T44 M44 Straight Grain Wood Float 12 X 5in, Red, 1 - amzn.to/3kJOl6y
• Amtech G1100 350 x 150mm Lightweight Polyurethane Float - amzn.to/2TBRs4u
• Sponge Floats - amzn.to/3oGnjj0
• Spear & Jackson 2LPAPS Pump Action Pressure Sprayer - amzn.to/31YTMXX
A huge thank you to our show sponsors, MKM Building Supplies. We highly recommend you check out their website for all your construction material needs!
- www.mkmbs.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE: we’ll endeavor to answer questions and comments as soon as possible depending on work schedules.
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For all our socials! ▶linktr.ee/buildwith_ae
Music from Epidemic Sound and the KZbin Audio Library
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#Plastering #RegencyRenovation #Construction
HOW TO LIME PLASTER A WALL | Regency Renovation #15 | Build with A&E

[@huntos83]

This is a fantastic tutorial, I followed it step by step from a bare brick wall and have ended up with an impressive finish that is much better than I thought I would achieve. While it undoubtedly took me a lot longer than a professional plasterer I honestly think I’ve achieved a professional finish thanks to you 👍

[@DRJMF1]

Very generous of you to share all the details. But in fact, I can apply a single lime plaster coat to a bare brick wall and it’s job done. The formulation is cardewmires sand (stops cracking due to broad particle size distribution) as 4 parts, then add 1 part of quick lime (Shapp quarry Cumbria), then slake it in clean 200litre oil drums. Only make 50kg batches, but run several drums in parallel using a heavy duty drill whisk. Store 500kg into many 20kg sealed buckets prior to the job. Refina roller pan mixer to knock up the plaster in 20kg batches , apply immediately onto wall. Roller pan mix for 15 minutes. Good lad & thank you.

[@plummerboy170]

25 years in the trade and I’ve learnt something watching this , very well explained

[@66tas95]

I have been a plasterer for 40 years and I think you did a nice job explaining the process. The punters need to know that the first 5 years are the hardest.

[@SurfSurf934]

Get yourself a little work platform. Ive got a 2m long one with extendable legs. Can bring the mud board closer and not go up and down, ladders tire you out.

[@stephenjames674]

I have renovated a 400 year old house using lime as a DIYer and think this an excellent video. The one thing I disagree with is not trying it as a plastering noob, as with lime you have time; as long as you keep it damp then you can keep going back and attempting each coat again and even scrape a coat off if necessary. Maybe you won’t get the pro finish in this video, that clearly comes with experience, but it is only the highest quality old buildings which had a smooth finish anyway, the rest had a finish which was more rustic as normally wooden floats were used.

[@DanielBelzil]

Agree. Lime is fairly forgiving.

[@shaunbeare4183]

Brilliant thanks so much. Took me back a bit. A refresher course

[@juicespirit]

This is a Gem of a find. My favourite plastering channel. Very clear, and true instructional.

[@leighharron]

These videos are a gift - all that skill and knowledge shared in such a clear and informative way. A genuine pleasure to watch. Been binging these!!

[@joejoey316]

Cracking job, I was plastering with lime today myself, hard on the arms 👍👍

[@justjacqueline2004]

Amazing craftsmanship with John at A&E,where excellence is standard.

[@BuildWithAE]

That's very kind of you Maria, thanks for your continued support! Have an awesome week 👍

[@johnbuist5289]

Great demonstration of making lime plaster and putty and the process involved for doing the job properly cheers for upload 👍

[@3foria420]

most straight forward lime plastering tutorial on youtube , i followed this vids advice & got fantastic results , bravo 👏

[@Joe-jv5mm]

Excellent video 👏👏👏👏👏, thanks for taking the time to break down the method of lime plastering, Brilliant tutorial

[@heidibear44]

This was so incredibly informative thank you for all the detail. 👏🏼👏🏼

[@edawnerraw3148]

Superb tutorial John, it's given me more confidence that I can tackle our hallway.

[@durexjim]

iv'e been out the game for some 20 years and just getting back into it lots of different tools for the job now and looks like lime is playing a part from the past.Like they say you never stop learning thx for sharing

[@architecturedrywallpaintan5809]

This is the best video I’ve seen here of what lime plaster preparation from beginning to the final coat well done

[@davidfoley8189]

Brilliant bit of work.Haven’t used lime for years and I’d forgotten what great stuff it is.Will definitely start putting in for more lime work now.Great vid

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks David, glad you enjoyed it 😎 All the best, John 😊

[@colonynaut1627]

I know it's a lot of work but I'd love to do this for my own house one day - the colours and natural lighting on lime plaster is spectacular,

[@paulmorris3613]

Well explained in a professional way .thank you.

[@tommyknightly1659]

Brill attention to details. Great videos and great trades men on this regency build

[@BuildWithAE]

Much appreciated Tommy, have a great week ahead 😉👍

[@paoemantega8793]

Excellent presentation, great video. That door frame :D

[@philsmith1087]

That was great, a really good video! Nice.

[@nicdavidson3063]

Amazing vid, very clear and detailed with no flannel and pitched at the right level. My first time with lime plaster (and only a couple of goes with any plastering to be honest) so followed it step by step from bare brick up to finished wall and it turned out very well. Now have the confidence to do all the lime plastering in my 1820s renovation. Only bit of advice I didn't take was not to take on a large wall for first time!!:) Another step in my KZbin Apprenticeship done.

[@TheBrick2]

Nice job. Time of lime as they say. I did a lime course a few years ago but never used in anger.

[@rationalinvest]

Just followed this video to lime plaster a wall - it worked out great - thanks sp much

[@ashsmith3293]

Absolutely fantastic and informative video thank you

[@sleepingdragon93]

Good video 👍 nice to see a spread using proper lime properly

[@ertaszorlu4756]

very hard job.... you have great skill john...

[@abigailpip112]

Thank you John, I too have managed to learn to lime plaster with your help.....and a lot of practice. I can agree that it's very labour intensive, but also satisfying to have plastered a wall and gained a new skill. I don't think I'll be taking it up as a proffession tho! I did find it much easier that gypsum plastering

[@peterraymund3103]

This John is the best A&E guy for their youtube videos, great job.

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks for watching Peter, have a great week 😉👍

[@Dubhfinna420]

Spot on

[@drm6089]

Very good John well presented

[@ashleyrowe2681]

Excellent video, great to see quality trades at work

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks Ashley! Take care bud 😉👍

[@johngarbutt]

Great tutorial. Thanks very much for that. I have a kitchen to plaster at mine and have more confidence i can manage it after watching this.

[@mrboyban]

That was a masterclass John. Good stuff ! LOL that wall can keep you fit for the month. Don't try that during the summer months if the property traps the heating it will just go off very quick.

[@mikemezzetta1483]

Great work John, one of the very few videos that are on the ball , your all over it mate spot on. It’s simple pal that’s how you do it no ifs or buts Just do it right It’s not rocket science. Good on ye 👍👍

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike! Have an awesome weekend 👍

[@TurinTuramber]

Always good to see man put effort into his work to get it right. 👍

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks Geralt, take care bud 😉👍

[@raytracer2651]

Great video mate very informative.

[@Jim_Newlands]

Superb, John. I doubt I will ever need to attempt this style of plastering but it didn't stop me picking up tips......I am one of the "wavy line" scratchers, so it was very interesting to hear what you said about how the wet and dry spots would be an issue. Makes perfect sense when you think about it! I'll be converted to the diagonal scratchcoat finishing from now on. 👍 Have a good weekend.

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi Jim, It's great to hear that you enjoyed the video and that you learnt some new tips 😎 All the best, John 😊

[@thomasandbethanygriffith892]

Great info my friend

[@jessicaeyre5164]

I love plastering with lime. Nice to see how others apply it. I think theres only some subtle differences in our process. Great job.

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks Jessica, glad you enjoyed it. Happy plastering 😁 All the best, John 😊

[@alexanderhill4993]

Thanks helps me to know what tools / process needed for my restoration of an 1830’s property (stone built)

[@john.leighmcburney1540]

Great workmanship !

[@tomjenssen7486]

Excellent work! Thank you.

[@MrJohnnynapalm7]

Another quality video - thanks for sharing.

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul, take care 👍

[@tanyaroyredcar]

just found this after lime plastering (for the first time) the downstairs of our 400y.o. renovation. I started on the small walls first to hone the skills and left the biggest to last. walls were well out of level and used a laser to set up wooden beads at all reveals. Very pleased with the results but it would have been good to have seen this first. Lime plastering is hard work and I was completely wrecked after completing the big walls. I did all that you did and in the same sequence. But you made it look easy. It wasn't. Great job. Thanks.

[@BuildWithAE]

Great to hear bud! Starting with smaller walls is definitely the way to go about it as you say. Thanks for sharing your experiences and have an awesome weekend! 👍

[@MatSmithLondon]

This was such a clearly presented video. Thanks.

[@sk2283]

Good skills mate, I like lime plaster - it’s a great material, people don’t use it because 1- it takes a lot longer than cement or gypsum to set & cure and 2- you need to use breathable paints etc. But when it’s done right like you guys it is a superior product that is more forgiving and complimentary to the building itself 👍👍

[@yorwerthedwards1045]

Love watching you guys you are so skilled John awesome work 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks bud, take care 😉👍

[@lozinja]

Haven't attempted this yet but want to say thanks for the video and say how natural and gifted John is as a teacher. It's one thing to be able to do something but another to explain a process clearly, relatably with examples, and pointing out potential pitfalls.

[@simonaldridge7491]

Great video - thanks

[@Nicefro1976]

Yet another first class tutorial. You guys really have a knack for producing exactly the kind of content I want to see and will find useful. It’s much appreciated. On a side note - have you ever plastered with a ‘hot mix’ lime plaster or used a ‘hot mix’ mortar?- it’s pretty interesting stuff. Keep up the good work - it’s top notch stuff!

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi Neil, Glad you're enjoying our videos. I've never had the opportunity to use a hot mix, but I've heard that it's very nice to use. All the best, John 😊

[@cornerstoneministries2920]

I am using hot lime with sharp sand to build stone work on old building , mixed 3:1 .. we will be filling internals of wall with soil .. aiming for breathable stone property .. I’ll point walls with NHL 3.5 in spring and carbonated over two weeks and kept nice and damp throughout !! We use sometimes sprinkler system on our line throughout summer and thinly woven hessian ..

[@DaddyBear3000]

I have a lot of respect for decent plasters. I’ve hired a few in on different jobs and not been that impressed. I’ve ended up fixing what they’ve done at times, which takes me a lot longer because I’m not bad, but I’m not experienced. It’s definitely an art. Awesome job as always mate. I’ll keep practicing my skimming before I get anywhere near something this ambitious, or just get you chaps in!

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi Karl, Unfortunately the construction industry does have a lot of people who carry out substandard work, which can give the industry a bit of a bad reputation. The aim of this channel is to show the general public that they can have confidence in hiring trades. Hopefully, if you do your homework you'll find the tradesperson who is right for the job 👷🏼‍♂️ All the best, John 😊

[@marklittler784]

WOW ! Extremely well presented and comprehensive.

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks for watching Mark! Take care 👍

[@jimgeelan5949]

Nice one John ! Very educational and well filmed

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks for watching Jim - have a great week! 😉👍

[@iestynjones5796]

Superb video and great skills. Nice to see you using Ty Mawr products; I was there myself about 11 months ago for a decorative plasterwork course.

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad you enjoyed the video 😁 Ty Mawr have been very helpful on this project and we would definitely recommend them 👍🏻 Thanks for watching. All the best, John 😊

[@DRJMF1]

wonderful description. I won't use a 2mm skim coat, I juts use a cross gained wooden block float to get the texture in the wall typical of 1800s cottages, then lime wash it. Thank you so much mate, brilliant concise complete job. A baron mixer E200 mixing disperses fibres like horse hair/goat/plastic much better than a drill whisk or drum mixer.

[@warrenmckay202]

Fantastic videos and well presented. Thanks

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad you like them Warren, have a great week! 😉👍

[@darringodden7225]

Hello John. You have made a exceptional video on a very interesting subject Thank you my friend.

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad you enjoyed it Darrin! 😊👍

[@benlucid3063]

Great video, andJohn, you’re a really good presenter. I’m almost ready to try repair a section of lime plaster ceiling... almost...

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks for watching and good luck! 👍

[@RakyleMahoney]

Awesome educational video, I'm just a landlord but good to know when trades are doing a terrible job

[@emmettdownes5579]

REALLY GOOD INFORMATION

[@mentonish]

Happy memories from my school days, at the Adcroft school of building, those gone by days

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks for sharing John, hope you enjoyed the video and have an awesome week 👍

[@gpjames2406]

very thorough thanks

[@davidwood8837]

Excellent video. Very talented and amazing outcome.

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi David much appreciated thanks for watching all the best Tony 👍

[@martyglover4344]

Superb Jonno 👌🏼

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks Marty! Have a great week 😉👍

[@kyrg]

Excellent video and explanation of each step. I feel guilty now knowing how as a kid I picked holes in our 1810 plastered house.

[@mishmash3854]

Brilliant thanks 👍

[@NetEenWaarheid]

very informative video ! 14:35 - rub the giants belly! 😂 love the shadow work 😎 -

[@jordanelmhirst7373]

Thanks mate you’re a legend

[@HSilver341]

On lime render at mo this has been a massive help top man ,stay safe

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad the video has been of some use to you bud, have an awesome weekend 👍

[@anyasfrancis]

Thanks for a really informative video. There's lots of talk about lime plaster online but not many videos on how to use it. I'd love to see a video on filling a lime plastered wall where it's been chased for wiring etc. We've just had a re-wire and want to make sure we fill with the correct stuff

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad it was helpful Anya! Take care 👍

[@RobBoFr]

Thank you John, been waiting for this bad boy! Looks much tougher than gypsum, I guess that's why not many folk use it now days? Excellent video! 🍻🍻

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks Rob 😁 Yes it is more difficult than modern plasters, but it's definitely worth the effort 👌🏻 All the best, John 😊

[@matspencer3860]

Just about to perches a stone barn want to keep it fully breathable so will be using non hydrated Lyme inside and repointing with hydrate outside is it just a matter of building up the base coat to get some sort of flat surface stone work is all over the place internally (probs50mm low points) and nice and flat externally. Any advice would be apriciated

[@davidtoomey226]

I love your video mate, you explain think so, so, so well :-). Amazing work mate

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi David much appreciated have a awesome weekend all the best Tony 👍

[@khalilRehman-fq8kq]

nice fantastic video and good work

[@doddsy65]

Great video John , Explained in depth . Suction rates , timings etc etc . Erm think i'll leave it to those that CAN as I CANT Lol

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks Spartrowel! Take care 😉👍

[@saudilass]

Awesome job and tutorial 👌👌

[@BuildWithAE]

Thank you! Cheers! Have a great Christmas 😎👍

[@chrisfoster5098]

Smashed it 👏👏

[@BuildWithAE]

Cheers mate 😎

[@TheMichauds]

Great video. Loads of information clearly explained. I’m just started renovating my recently moved into 200 year old forever home with no damp course and lots of hidden nasties. Cement render. Gypsum plaster etc. Can I ask have u used Nhl 2 and washed sharp? Think I’m gunna give it a go Thanks in advance

[@peterridding4874]

Great video guys , thanks for the informative instructions . I’ve got a cottage to totally renovate with lime plaster . I’ve taken all the walls back to the inside walls which are really rough stone . My question is what depth will the first coat fill please ? Do I need to pre - fill any deep spots in the stone walls before I start putting on the first coat ? Many thanks in advance

[@4192362]

Always use a roller mixer for haired lime mortar. The blades on a drum will pull the hair out and ball it up.

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi 4192362 thanks for the info much appreciated through knowledge we grow all the best Tony 👍 have awesome weekend

[@ConallMullan]

Thanks for the great video. I have an old house with the original lime plaster still in pretty good nick but does have quite a few scratches and bumps. Is it possible to skim an old lime wall with a lime putty to smooth it off?

[@jesperdahl1486]

I was happy to see this video, six weeks ago I bought an old farm house, which by age should be built with lime mortar and plaster (I have not yet done the vinegar test) The work looks to be easily done by "regular" craftsmen. A while back I watched a UK based television show about restoring old dilapidated buildings, they explained in great detail how slow the process was, a room the size you are working in would take two men about a month, and only specially anointed men could do the work, and they were about as rare as qualified astronauts, I thought that they lied, and you just confirmed that. It is nice to see a young(ish) man working with old fashioned materials, and techniques, keeping an old building as it was centuries ago, you could have sprayed the wall with cement plaster (or gypsum as the Germans do) and be done in a day. Thank you for taking the time to film, edit, and post this video.

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi jesper dahl, We are keen to use modern techniques and materials on many of our projects, as they can be eco friendly as well as economical in both time and money. However, a property such as this should be treated with the respect it deserves, and hopefully we've achieved that! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching. All the best, John 😊

[@jesperdahl1486]

@bina nocht I certainly did not try to imply that cement was an option, I was referring to the fact that it would have been much faster, but that does not outweigh the problems that you put forward, as they are totally valid.

[@jesperdahl1486]

@@BuildWithAE Just this week (more then a year later) I finally (I hope) found out how to make lime plaster, granted I can order one ton of quick lime in a bigbag, and have it delivered from Germany to Denmark, or buy 750Kg of wet lime plaster in a plastic bag on a pallet, but I want to buy the materials as I go. In England and Portugal quick lime is readily available from every feed store, and building merchant in 25Kg bags, and in the rest of Europe, not so much. All the information on KZbin, about making lime mortar is about "Hot lime mortar" and is from England, and that is the "problem" as I can "only" get "Hydrated lime" in bags. Earlier this week I spoke to a Danish supplier, that told me that both England and Portugal have a tradition for using quick lime, and he offered me the lime I spoke of, we spoke at length about plaster, he tried to sell me on "hydraulic lime plaster" but I kept searching, and I stumbled on a paper from the "Danish technical institute" that finally shined a light on how Danish lime mortar was made more recently (100-200 years ?) If you take the "normal" recipe for hot lime mortar, 1 part quick lime, 3 parts sand, and 1.5-2 parts water, and WEIGH the lime after slaking, and then the sand, you get a ratio of roughly 100Kg to 750Kg (13%) you can then use hydrated lime for the 100Kg of lime (histrionically lime was as much as 40% (due to the poor quality of site burned lime) and as low as sub 10% (in times of economical hardship) that is how mortar was made in Denmark after they stopped burning and slaking lime right on the building site, and started getting it in from offsite. I watched the video from end to end, and I am still amazed about the result (and effort) Keep up the great work.

[@BuildWithAE]

@@jesperdahl1486 talk to Tymer Wales they will have everything you need 👍

[@mikesearle6710]

Great video well explained top man 👍

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike, take care 😉👍

[@murph5951]

Super job john 👍👌

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks Murph! 😉👍

[@frogeye22]

Another excellent video - thanks for the lesson. Was the 'float coat' about the same consistancy as the base coat, I'm guessing a little bit more slump. Really useful stuff - well done.

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad you enjoyed it frogeye 😁 Both coats should be about the same, but the float coat can be a bit wetter if you prefer, as you should already have a fairly flat surface to cover. Thanks for watching. All the best, John 😊

[@diyny2809]

Great vid. Thanks.. How would you do an external corner? Any vid on this?

[@ashcurzon997]

These videos are really informative and massively helpful. Question about drying times though, I was told it’s about a day per mm for scratch and float but you’re only leaving it 5 days and then a day? Appreciate each location will be different but that’s significantly less? Anything I’m missing? Hydraulic lime obviously cures faster but what am I looking for to tell me I can put the next coat on? Thanks

[@DanSeaber-Shinn]

Goooo onnnn John Boy 👍🏻👌🏻

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks for watching DSS 😉👍

[@alistairmccabe7028]

Fantastic clear tutorial, thanks. Can I ask the make of the plasters? Many thanks, Alistair

[@owenwilson8822]

I was waiting for this video....

[@BuildWithAE]

Hope you enjoy! 😉👍

[@ConstructionwithKieren]

Just in time, now I can watch 2 videos in a row🤝😂

[@BuildWithAE]

Hope you enjoy! 😉👍

[@PrymoGroup]

thanks so much for this video!!

[@BuildWithAE]

Glad it was helpful! Take care 👍

[@johnquirke6743]

class work

[@BuildWithAE]

Thanks John! 👍

[@richardgarland4562]

Great video, lots of information and tips. I’m looking to lime plaster on Cob! How damp should the wall be for this? Love to see some more videos like this! 👍🏻

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi Richard, I'm glad you found the video informative. If you're plastering on to a cob wall you should dampen it down the day before you apply your slurry coat (or harling coat as it's also known). Once your slurry coat is dry which could take 4-5 days depending on atmospheric conditions, you would then lightly dampen and apply the coats as described in the video. I hope this helps. All the best, John 😊

[@benpatfield5471]

Great informative video buddy can you put lime base coat onto a lime washed brick wall if I wet it down ?

[@DRJMF1]

You can put rock boulders into your cementmixer to assist compaction, not as good as a roller pan mixer however.

[@user..Aa..Bb..]

Great vid. What would you recommend on a celler wall. Back to brick. Damp but dehumidified which plaster type