How to skim a plasterboard wall

[@giddy9052]

I'm a plasterer, don't know why this came up as a recommendation (maybe I need lessons) starting watching, ready for a chuckle, but this guy's legit. Thought it was going to be like one of those product videos but this is as good, clear and real world demo as you'll ever get. Most plasterers are a 1000% messier tho.

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Cheers Giddy. I made him clean up for the video ;-)

[@giddy9052]

@@HomebuildingMagazine the cleaner it is the less closely they check your work ;)

[@relfyem]

This was such a pleasure to watch. Really simple (but not too simple) instructions and demonstration, the music wasn't distracting from the content (as so many DIY videos have), and after 4.5 mins I feel ready to have a go!

[@johndillon5290]

Good video. It always looks easy when the pros are doing it.

[@stevenryan6008]

You’ve made that look easy !! I’ve got loads to do on an old house I’ve bought as a retirement project. I can’t afford to get a professional in so you’ve inspired me to have a go.

[@erelpc]

How did it go?

[@stevenryan6008]

@@erelpc not very well really. I’ve started using some stuff that’s really easy to sand, and I bought one of those Lidl wall sanding machines. Lot of dust but it’s given me a smooth finish. I’ll keep you posted

[@erelpc]

@@stevenryan6008 no hurry

[@erelpc]

@@stevenryan6008 no hurry I suppose

[@gamingwithpugs4067]

Very good. As a professional you don't panic. As a non professional panicking is my biggest enemy.

[@truthoutmedia]

This guy is an expert guys, I tried it and my house fell down

[@stephenhamilton4699]

Haha

[@faizmiah2363]

Not funny

[@jakebiscombe17]

Ur mix was prob too stiff u needed to add more water on top of powder

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

I thought Joe jin bird went down? 😭

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Thanks commentor Walden media

[@tomgayle2849]

Thank you , you even show the angle of how the trowel is held, and you took your time.

[@sidjohnson1776]

Damnnnn - you make it look soooo simple where its NOT! :) I am definitely gona give it a go tomorrow thank you my friend - you're a PRO!

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Best of luck, Sid!

[@edwintembo]

You are a good teacher 👏

[@BrumCraft]

Plastered a wall today. Plaster slipped off hawk as too sloppy, splatters all over floor and other walls, nicked the trowel on a staple, on first flatten the trowel sucked in and I took a lump of skim out, internal corners loom shocking, somehow picked up a bit if grit. If you have no clue (like me) it's a tough job!

[@yeltsinsirob3144]

Great video, very helpful, especially the “double cream” texture. Thank you 👍

[@thruss91]

Thanks for the video, im going to attempt it soon 😅

[@Daft_Ideas]

The flattening stage is critical. He makes it look easy, but it's a real art...

[@ehudkirsh766]

I love the calm music

[@roblex63]

Tip... get your ceiling done and finished ... then get your 1st coat on one wall, get a 1st coat on the opposite wall, go back and put 2nd coat on 1st wall then put second coat on 2nd wall. then just go back and forth between walls finishing off.. only downside there's no time for a cup of tea between sets...

[@stethompson1403]

That's how I do it ...this guy fuck ab0ut to much

[@captainchaos2671]

stick a cap ful of the old cream of tartar in the water you will have a time for a cuppa to 😉

[@steowen85]

Fuck the secound coat flatten with a spatula trowel up as normal. Call me one coat billy

[@MarkHopewell]

Thank you for this very helpful presentation. It's very much appreciated. I noticed you seemed to use just one form of plaster to plaster the undercoat and finishing layer, or did I misunderstand that?

[@bsales3101]

I skimmed over some plasterboard recently (the plasterboard was new) and it just sucked the moisture straight out of the plaster giving me little time to flatten off. 1. Can a coat of PVA be painted onto plasterboard first to control the suction? 2. If so what ratio 3:1? 3. How many coats? 4. Do I just let it go tacky before I skim over it or let it dry? Many thanks.

[@1971dave]

Was the plasterboard white side out not brown, was your mix too stiff, use by date on the bag, use sbr not pva

[@octaviansol6078]

Good video!

[@neilphelps8618]

Great video, thank you 👍🏼

[@utilitarian]

This is my job over the next couple of days. Two walls to do (1 each day) I can't wait to start. Thanks for the tutorial. If I was skimming an existing wall would it be the same process?

[@krakatoa16]

How did it go?

[@ailmmkahan]

@@krakatoa16 he is still doing it.

[@4KGofMaul]

@@ailmmkahan I still don't think he's finished yet

[@MrAndyclarke83]

Thank you

[@martint251]

Well explained . Thanks ....

[@myhairlineneedsyourhelp861]

The thing is with plastering, people say it is easy to plaster, which it is and it isn’t, as anyone can get a decent finish after a bit off practice, but the skill part comes in on how well and fast you can get it on the wall. For example a good plasterer could probably get that wall on in 5 minutes or under, however a beginner or someone with a bit off practice would probably get it on in about 10-15 minutes, that’s first and second coat, but they both end up with a similar finish, you just have to keep troweling it and put pressure in the right place off your trowel which is the heel off the trowel so push down slightly with your palm. But in my opinion letting a tradesman do the job is probably a better idea they drop less.

[@dilligaf2386]

Plastering is hard well to get to a reasonable standard, I would say get a 8x4 sheet of plasterboard on the wall of your garage and practice, practice, practice. I found this a blessing. Don't plaster a wall in your house if you've never done it before. These guys have been doing it since they were 17 18.

[@cgavin1]

Plastering is a seriously skilled trade. Skimming board is a doddle and anyone can do it. 👍

[@CurvedSlightly]

Fuck off, I'd never let any tradie in my house.

[@ruddyuddy]

My builder let me have a go at plastering a bit of the wall and all I can say is thank god he was there! It’s so difficult!! I couldn’t even get the plaster onto the wall properly, the hand just doesn’t flex as it is supposed to.

[@ronnyranger1766]

ruddyuddy Practice makes perfect bruv. I study L1 Plastering in college. At first I only could do small square of the wall but about 4 months after I can do it. I wish they let us carry more plasterboards tho I wanna get good at it and get use to the waitght of it

[@DeathWish92]

@@ronnyranger1766 how you doing now I'm curious

[@KILLUMINATI_MOVEMENT]

I actually like this, plastering seems quite relaxing.

[@israeladesanya4596]

it is if your doing a wall a day 😂

[@jamesbailey4211]

I've been a plasterer since a teen and I'm 33 there is nothing relaxing about it at all it's hard intense work that's why we are worth what we are. And this guy messed on too much I can finish a wall with 2 trowels just got to let it dry off more before you fuck about with it

[@johnrandles4403]

@@jamesbailey4211 naturally you'll know more then the guy that works for British gypsum.. who actually maker the plaster. Cus youre just that good!

[@jamesbailey4211]

@@johnrandles4403 I'm not having a go at anyone mate but theres a sure fire way to make it look hard and that's to prat on with it lol. I don't comment to upset anyone and I'm just expressing my views. I've learnt a lot from watching other plasterers online and discussing with other tradesmen on forums, we don't argue because of criticism or views.

[@johnrandles4403]

@Dee O'dilly yeah what does mister Kipling know about cakes anyway🙄

[@muhammadimranul-haq3824]

I was bit reluctant but after watching this video I think I can do it ☺️

[@yasminakhtar3893]

Wow 🤩 looks good

[@psycho3344]

What's the best temp for the water to add to the mix

[@leegar1537]

exelent job man, a question can be given the skim plaster to a wall with several layers of paint, wall of 25 years old, thank you for answering

[@PersianFlavor]

lee gar yes you can

[@nathaliamendes4794]

Its just like you are giving the wall a massage. Good 👍

[@tonymac7706]

👏 👏 brilliant

[@zurinesantander7721]

I can plaster but im not based in the UK, im going to the UK soon and a friend has asked me to plaster his new plaster board... which materials should i be using (they're called different thjngs where i am) and do you just need one skim coat over the plasterboard or do you do a basecoat and then a skim coat? And which material names should i be using for each coat? Didnt see aby sanding going on after but presumably you would sand it dow after right?!?

[@1971dave]

Use hard wall bonding on his plasterboard, or browning, put one thick coat on leave one hour then Pva it, and another really thick coat, sand it back with a belt sander

[@c.p3425]

My plasterboard has tapered edged joints, do i fill the tapered joints in first and let dry or plaster the whole wall with thicker plaster where the joints are?

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Yes, tape and joint it first ideally. Plaster doesn't work well in thick loads, so tape and joint first then build up thin layers over the top to smooth it out.

[@pb03brar47]

Good job

[@darcimgilson]

If skimming over an old plaster wall, do you need to use a binding agent before hand?

[@tanerredzheb1106]

Always

[@jayr7577]

Why was there no need to tape and fill the joints before applying the skim coat?

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Those details were in the previous video, Jay - you can see it here > kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqaWfImBiZt0aq8

[@jayr7577]

@@HomebuildingMagazine Cheers mate. Videos are excellent and really help understand the products.

[@jayr7577]

@@HomebuildingMagazine Can I ask, can the joints be filled and strengthened with Easi Fill before a skimcoat or am I wasting my time? Is the fiberglass tape enough? Very hard to find a good plasterer where I am so I'm having to learn myself. The boards I have are bevelled and it's a stud partition I've built. Cheers mate.

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

@@jayr7577 interesting question - the bevelled/tapered boards are obviously throwing up a few issues. Without knowing how deep the bevel is, it's hard to say, but I would tape the joint, and then bring out the level with your skimcoat rather than trying to fill it first. I'm not sure how well the skim would bond to Easi Fill... but you're likely to get a smoother, more level finish just using the skimcoat.

[@imp0stercricky.311]

Excellent

[@dieponfood]

Any chance you can do my walls. It's taken us along time and need to get finished haha.

[@360nastybusiness]

Do it yourself..

[@hc3820]

Al do it for a shag

[@brrreezyldn5353]

Harry Mudchucker 😂😂

[@elementmidundo5386]

Thank you very much

[@stephenartt5457]

It looks so easy...

[@Hayden-mu8fi]

Stephen artt it’s not

[@stephenartt5457]

@@Hayden-mu8fi I know mate at the trade a long time.. Only pulling your leg... Some people on KZbin think they know it all after a short course #oldplasterersneverdie.

[@sen5908]

Never do wet corners also, always do opposite walls , you will be out your mind trying to get the corners right otherwise

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Good tip, Ste, thanks!

[@connahj1696]

I’ve never known of measuring a wall to know how much skim to use. I usually just know if it’s a 2 3 or 4 bag wall ect.. any left over I lay somewhere else…

[@nicklaytonUK]

Also, one other thing. I am not going to have access to that huge whisk thing. What could you be used instead? Thanks again.

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Normally we'd suggest hiring one from a tool hire specialist - pretty inexpensive. However, at this unusual time you may have to get your gloves and trowel out...

[@newry123]

do you need to do anything to the joints and screw holes before you start plastering,,cheers

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Yes, gauze tape should be covering the joints & screw holes.

[@newry123]

@@HomebuildingMagazine cheers

[@martinahardaker8739]

Well yes but didn't really show how to finish it off getting that shine on the wall. Angles of trowel and or using a water spray. Beginners needs to have almost everything explained. Yes plenty of tips but skimmed over some details.

[@beardedgaz]

So do I not need to tape and join if I plastering a new plaster board wall.

[@keithdouglas9848]

Tape n jointing is a different form of plastering where your just plaster the joints only.they are two totally different ways of plastering ! Tape n jointing is mostly used in commerical work. No you don't tape n joint n then plaster!

[@DavidGonzalez-bm3xz]

Why plastering the whole plasterboards and not just the screws and joints?

[@lildeanc]

Why no corner bead?

[@Handle-This]

Hope you still answer, how come on the first coat you smoothed the surface and didn’t score it ready for second coat?

[@richie9777]

This is top coat you dont score top coats

[@nicklaytonUK]

Hi, thanks for this. I'm about to start a similar job over some old plaster. My skills are nowhere near as good as Simon's. But I have a quick question. If I need to build up a bit of plaster over a lumpy and bumpy wall. Is it best to use a different plaster or try and build up layers of 2mm? Question 2 is to do with the ceiling. I am going to put plasterboard up, which I know is going to be tough, but if I tape the gaps and do a smooth job why can't I just paint onto the board? Nobody has said why so I am just curious. Thanks.

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Hi Nick. Firstly, the ceiling. Plasterboard is THIRSTY!!! It's not designed to be painted on, and it simply sucks all the moisture out of the paint, meaning you'll need a dozen coats and it'll still probably crack. You'll also never be able to cover the gaps, taped or not. Definitely needs a skim, unless you're putting it in a shed or a garage that nobody ever goes in! With the lumpy walls, there are a couple of options - you could bring out the dips with a hardwall plaster so it's level with the rest, and then skim a finishing plaster over the top... or you could simply board over it - create a stud wall, or dot & dab. Then skim your 2mm layers over the top. You'll lose a few more inches in the room that way, but you're guaranteed a flat surface.

[@nicklaytonUK]

@@HomebuildingMagazine Thank you. Good to know!

[@dilligaf2386]

Helloooo! I've just plasterboarded a large room and used the adhesive to fill in. before I plaster the board is it best to PVA the adhesive patch work. Any help?

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Hi Roy - glad you're using this time productively! As long as the adhesive is dry it should be fine - the PVA basically stops the plasterboard sucking the moisture from the skim too quickly, and drying things out. The adhesive shouldn't do that, so you don't need to PVA it, but it won't do any harm. Advice varies on the PVA / water mixture, but it should be somewhere between 1: 3 PVA to water and 1:5 PVA to water. Apply a couple of coats of this, letting it dry fully each time.

[@dilligaf2386]

@@HomebuildingMagazine thank you very much for that advice. Hope you and your family are well say safe my friend .

[@simongrass1476]

Thanks bud, that was really helpful 👍

[@britishlifestyle3432]

Not at all . This is not how we do works in USA and Canada. We have to seal the joints with tape and mud . These guys can't finish it without drywall seams . They put mud all around to make it flat .. not good job

[@rhysthomas6539]

Well it’s called British gypsum because thats where it’s based therefor why does it matter if it works in the USA ?

[@Bibg867]

@@britishlifestyle3432hold that thought 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@antonygilbey7987]

Why dopeople have a go,looked like a good job

[@maurice5727]

Yes

[@janetcorcero4975]

what color AVAILABLE to mixed skim coat I prepare to DIY PAINT

[@janetcorcero4975]

how if we dont have mixer for skim coat

[@mikewatt8706]

Buy one

[@_Bubblefly]

Can i remove the skim afterwards?

[@orangeondaxbox2768]

@Stan practice?

[@seanstanton8427]

Do you use any bonding before applying the plaster? Cheers

[@mrmotorvator5151]

You don't bond board

[@paulosouza7014]

how do I pass a new coat of plaster on an old painted wall can I apply directly to the Wall paint?

[@stethompson1403]

Apply watered down pva glue frist with a brush

[@mrmotorvator5151]

3 parts water 1 part pva..2 coats allowing to dry between also if needed fine sand is used or blue grit for ultimate bond

[@jennym_edits]

Do the joints need to be tapped first

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Yes, always tape over joints between boards with a scrim tape

[@jennym_edits]

Homebuilding & Renovating but don’t use easy fill?

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

@@jennym_edits we've never seen a pro plasterer use it. It might be fine, but we'll go with what the pro's advise... any plasterers want to chip in with advice?

[@davetomlin2603]

@@HomebuildingMagazine think they are referring to drylining as opposed to skimming. Always scrim the joints.

[@CurvedSlightly]

The music makes me feel like I'm in a self love group.

[@mightbyson]

Are you the real Chick Norris?

[@robertjenkinson3753]

1st class tradesman

[@cujoway]

I don't get why u start at the top

[@CTE-hs2qe]

Think it might be because of gravity as the plaster will naturally slide down if it’s on thick?

[@simonpidgeon949]

💯👍👍

[@simonlane1965]

At 0:33 the Manufacturers instructions on the packet states that the 1st coat should be 1mm thick. At 1:24-1:26 your man says to apply the plaster as per the instructions on the packaging and that he is applying a 2mm skim. He then goes on to say that you should start plastering at the top of the wall AFTER he has spread a trowel of plaster vertically over the taped joint.

[@stevengordon2145]

Simon Lane Hi there when applying finish plaster fill taped joints with thin layer of finish plaster. Lay first coat at 2mm think nice n even (mix should be like wiped cream but not stiff). start at the top if the wall working downward.. Once it's on do the touch test as per the video. When ready apply second coat at 1mm coate (slightly thinner mix). Apply same way at top of the wall wait about 10mins to let plaster pick up do touch test then follow steps as per the video also get yourself a decent light place the light at an angle to the wall to help with application there tones of videos online regards finishing plaster (skimming) All the best with your project. 👍

[@simonlane1965]

steven gordon Thanks for that, Steve. The purpose of my comment was to point out a couple of inconsistencies in what the narrator is saying compared to what the plasterer in the video is doing. I just thought that the people who produced the clip might welcome some feedback. But, as I say, thanks for taking the time to reply to me, and your advice has been noted! :0)

[@stevengordon2145]

Simon Lane that's OK 👌 this video is quite inconsisten in places. especially regards laying down first coate and second coating stages. copying this video regards those steps would only lead to a problems in the final finished for even an experienced Plasterer. I'm always happy to pass on my knowledge I've even trained couple of my old client's in the past to plaster Have a great week Simon.

[@davelowe1977]

steven gordon Getting advice about plastering is a bit like getting legal opinions: there are more ideas than people giving them.

[@glenwise382]

Can I come to work with you some time and just sit there in the corner and watch .

[@marekvyhnicka7172]

Done 2 rooms ,each 16 square metres, ceiling and walls. There's no time for tea break. I would say, ceiling is twice harder to do than walls. Mate paid 1k for 2 rooms to so called profesional. All fcuked up! I am beginner and it's perfect. It's about you either have it in your hands or not. One more thing... it is worth to spend extra quid for better quality trowel .

[@silver750iL]

He says he's applying a 2mm skim but having just tried a bit plastering for the first time myself I presume the basic aim is to just put on a covering, basically nothing more? The one aspect I've seen missing from a lot of videos is trying to put over how thick to coat. A lot of people will have no idea about the thickness and consistency of the mix. Also from my brief practice I imagine too stiff a mix would not just be hard to apply but would go on too thickly as well. I think a lot of these videos need to try to explain this a bit better.

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

There are a variety of skim thicknesses, and it's open to debate about how thick your skim should be... however, the thicker the skim, the more likely it is to be uneven, the longer it'll take to dry, and the more likely it is to crack in future. Too stiff a mix will mean the plaster is hard to work with, and goes off (dries & sets) too quickly, meaning you'll either need to rush the job or waste a load of unusable plaster. As our video explains, it should be a creamy smooth mixture, with enough stickiness to stick to the hawk.

[@cgavin1]

What with the plaster dust and the music I was tripping balls by the end of the vid. 👍

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Hahahaha :) Masks are essential!

[@kmtjarrett-stokes1958]

@@HomebuildingMagazine KINDLY

[@kmtjarrett-stokes1958]

@@HomebuildingMagazine 🍑🍑😆

[@kmtjarrett-stokes1958]

KINDLY

[@kmtjarrett-stokes1958]

Bum bum

[@kmtjarrett-stokes1958]

Bum bum

[@kmtjarrett-stokes1958]

IMO

[@almon799]

Should of done the ceiling first 😂👍🏻😂

[@dominicthespacemandale6738]

No need to do the ceiling first if he ain't a messy cloth like yourself Al 😂👍😂

[@almon799]

Goose Sirle 😂😂 or put them on together 😉

[@dominicthespacemandale6738]

Now you're talking lad👍

[@gary8306]

Ta😊

[@taz-on-the-looseyusef5526]

handsome guy, in my country building is for the unatractive men and women

[@Daemiex]

they could have 3 tits and 2 dicks for all i care as long as my walls flat at the end of the job thats what matters

[@hawkintrowelin4791]

Hey Yusef, What do the other 3 people in your country do for a living?

[@bh-xe2wp]

what is the purpose of this video as if a diy person could plaster a wall in the first place its a highly skilled art not someone who has just finished work on a friday and then suddenly decides "I know I will have a go at Plastering"

[@cryptocanada4900]

I did all my rooms and they looked great

[@GoodVibrators]

I did a 4 day course in plastering and the results were great. It's just a case of practicing.

[@cgavin1]

No it isn't. Anyone can skim a plasterboard wall ffs. If after watching this (and the many other) videos on KZbin concerning skimming plasterboard people still think its good value paying someone 500 notes for a few hrs work, good luck to them!

[@DeathWish92]

@@cgavin1 funny you say that because I go to so many jobs where people have had ago themselves trying to save money and yeah.....it's not good haha some people are better off paying the dollar

[@s3ra9h1m]

This made me laugh because I'm that guy who came in after work on a Friday and done exactly that by skimming a chimney stack. There certainly is an art to it but the more I did it the better I got. Now I do it for family and friends no problems. Some people have the knack for certain tasks in life, some don't. Just like I can't cook or bake, even if I follow a recipe I still manage to stuff it up. But if anyone wants to have a go they should start with something small first and listen to the professionals

[@benchippy8039]

Informative video but awful background music! Still gave thumbs up 👍

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Apologies! We'll go for some Reggae next time :)

[@MarcusT86]

Why was it awful? It was ambient concentration music, which is suitable for tutorials and education.

[@dernbuy]

Get a professional. You will NOT be able to do this. This is why it takes 2 years doing a trade

[@alewariat123456]

This is how they used to doing back in my cantry 20 years ago. England love multifinish I will never understood how stupid they are people who plastering plaster board with is new. Amateur

[@christopherwright1100]

Amateur at best. This bloke is not a spread.

[@HomebuildingMagazine]

Sam was a full time Plasterer before joining British Gypsum.

[@christopherwright1100]

Homebuilding & Renovating hmm yeah ok .

[@Daemiex]

apart from not beading the corner it looks fine to me

[@simongrass1476]

You’re right, he’s too intelligent.