I Hated Bluegrit Before| Here's Why I Was Totally Wrong

[@richardjordan7029]

When I have had to grit, I’ve used Cementone plasterers stabilising primer, never had any problems. It is green, The grit is smaller too. I had to use blue grit for a job, it was horrible to use and like you said, you have to put it on think. Personally, I won’t use blue grit again, I’ll stick with the green grit when I need it. Good video 👍

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

I’m the same mate, I’ve watered it down with pva before but on a high suction background I’ll just put a pissy pva coat on the wall prior to the green. Lovely to skim over

[@bluevanmani]

I’m a bit old school if it ain’t broke don’t fix it never really had an issue with pva. A few people have told me they’ve had a set fail with blue grit so I’m a bit wary to use it. Plus like you said Blaine got to prep it the day before that’s ok if it’s a big job. But the green grit sounds a shout

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I’ve used this for Rendering and it’s a much easier product. Just never used it for Plastering but I’ll try it now. Thanks for the suggestion!!

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

@@bluevanmani I had pva fail the other month, 2 coated the walls, next day the pva was peeling off like clingfilm. Then had to green grit the walls and wait another day. Never did figure out what went wrong

[@bluevanmani]

@@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot the only thing I would say was maybe the pva was to strong with the first coat. Like you I do two coats but the first ones quite weak so it gets into the surface rather than drying to quick and sitting on it bit like when painters do a mis coat on new plaster.

[@LstResortXBL]

Best tip i have seen using blue-grit was from Alex Morley and that was adding a tub of neat pva to half tub of 10lt of blue grit is lot easyer to apply spreads better less clusters of grit and goes off a hell of alot quicker same day plastering on blue grit done this on my last couple of jobs works a treat 👌🏻

[@brimplas1]

But pva re emulsifies! So what holds the grit onto the wall?

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Thanks for the heads up pal! I’ll give that a go 👍

[@Lemon-squeezer]

It’s all well and good but your using a tub of pva to mix in the blue grit not cost effective might aswell get a decent grit like microgobetis or even wba is decent

[@richardgrimbleby7853]

@@brimplas1 mabey SBR instead ,

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

@@brimplas1 I’m pretty sure blue grit is predominantly pva itself, I’ve always added pva to it when I’ve had to use it and never had any issues

[@frankiez7414]

good video Blaine, thanks for highlighting this. Thats plastering for you, such a multitudes of backgrounds and suction. If you have alot of different surfaces, thicknesses and various suction one coat would be your answer.

[@inventions47]

Just subed , I'm a chip for 35 years now. Just used blue chip 2 days ago on a skim fail on some artex , all plaster fell off so I straight on with blue chip , 48 hours later I plastered today. First I had to identify the problem, this was an irregular crack to start off with along a ceiling collar, an cast iron gas pipe had a 4x2 wedged underneath pushing on this 1 collar down ! Had the thing capped ! But it's never straight forward to half of these over skimed atex

[@teddysuhrensghost263]

I really don’t like blue grit at all, it absolutely eats plaster. Much prefer the bostik stuff that’s green and the bond-it yellow pregrit. Finer grit in both, use much less plaster I find. I fully agree with you saying that plasterers seem to think it solves all problems with backgrounds. It doesn’t. I’ve seen blue grit fail for a few reasons. A bad background is a bad background and needs to be sorted properly.

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

If I have to use blue grit, I always magic mix the first coat to get over it, second coat of just finish is super thin

[@Fulford-lh1qn]

I saw another comment saying that they added PVA to the blue grit, we have been doing the same for probably 15 years now and have always been able to skim the same day and never had a comeback, winter time or a high gloss paint will slow suction down otherwise it's a great product. Paul at Fulford plastering york.

[@torvaldalexander4906]

Good advice like your rendering videos. Had the same issues in the past, you think you've done belts and braces sealed with grit products but if the background is unstable you will fix that area. That's why you are a skilled plaster.

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Thank you mate. I really appreciate that!

[@En18009]

Hand full of bonding in first coat helps loads give it that extra bit of body only in first coat though 👍👍

[@MrPistolpete1234]

Really? I need something to give the multi finish I’m using lately some workability, it’s like spreading sludge

[@benpatfield5471]

Blue grits purpose is for problem backgrounds ie silk paint , smooth concrete staircases anything that doesn’t have suction that would make the plaster slide hence the grit to give you a key otherwise pva all the way for internals 👍🏻

[@conscientiousobjector9555]

I'm working on restoring a period property. The walls were plastered beautifully but for some reason the previous owner lined the walls with paper and then painted it. When I peeled it off (took ages) , the plaster is smooth, very cold to the touch with bits of mould on it. I'm trying to paint it without the lining paper. Do I need to skim it? use PVA or blue grit and skim it again? I'd hire a plasterer, but the property is rural and can't find one!

[@nigelsmith1198]

Come to Reading.! I need a plasterer as soon as.!!!

[@1984chrisyB]

I normally put 1st coat really thick let it take in a bit and apply 2nd coat and it trowels up perfect, but like you said I prefer pva or sbr. And for the paint to bubble and peal u was told its because of the lead in old paints and it reacts its even happened with using pva aswell

[@hemtet5500]

Was that dodgy paint area the dreaded distemper which apparently nothing can stick to?

[@Youtubeuser1_me]

Your plastering looks like glass, amazing.

[@Peopleater1987]

The good thing with blue grit is u can plaster straight over tiles I done a few wet room bathrooms good stuff .saves pulling all the tiles off along with the render

[@jordanrobinson9956]

Try the yellow bond-it pre grit its alot finer and way better to skim on 👌🏽

[@stuartandrews4344]

Lovely product.

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I’ll give that a go! Cheers

[@Peopleater1987]

Iv got a little utility room needs doing Simone painted the brickwork so I out the blue grit on the question is do I need to bond it 1st or can I just skim it

[@superjaxx99]

Great video Blaine have you ever used the green grit that’s better than blue.

[@chrisblack9348]

Mix a tub of pva 50\50 with water add it into a whole tub of blue grit then can skim it in the same day plus goes a lot further so saving a lot of money

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Great tip!! Cheers matey

[@andyb5star]

I use a mix of pva and Kirn sand it's solid and easier to go over without the mess

[@paulkinsley730]

Me too, and far cheaper to make your own

[@gb7729]

the trick to using these products is to pva the backround first to kill the suction, the issue is the bluegrit ia drying to fast,its the same as using masonry stabiliser on outdoor sand and cement walls before painting them to prevent paint peeling

[@Youtubeuser1_me]

Im not a plasterer or a DIY person, if you have artex ceiling, non asbestos tested, whats the best product or method to use to ensure rhe plastering doesn't fsll off the ceiling.

[@si_mon_doe]

Put a couple plug in heaters and a fan and your get that stuff dry in no time I do it all the time. Dirty water in the first coat makes it pick up a lot quicker

[@michaelhough896]

Can bonding coat be put on the likes of these products, blue grit / bond it ?

[@alwynthomas8804]

Have you tried BOND IT plasterers pre grit? It's a similar product but its sand so not as coarse as the blue grit. Its easier to cover than the blue grit.

[@tvenpyksas]

Thank for video ….. yea same hate blue grit I use this Bostik Cementone Plasterers Stabilising Primer. What you thinking about this product? Ofc this more expensive 39£ per 10 lt but this I like ….

[@wurzel1873]

I blue gritted today first time using it. Usually i use pva. Customer brought tubs of it... Never plastered over blue grit before. Im sceptical about the suction! Ive always used pva which I'm comfortable with never had a problem. But Customer listening to his friend saying blue grit it. Who's doing the job? Glad he's buying the materials

[@293chopper]

I don't use any other product except blue grit now. I had a few of the same concerns being a PVA a the way kinda guy, but I'm converted. You don't get any slip and as in the video, there no suction issues regardless of the back ground. Have had the same with paint a few times, but that's just 5% at best of jobs, and it always patchy. I vote for the blues all the way... 👍❎🤣🤣

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Haha fair enough. The suction control was great to be fair!

[@jimmywaller2805]

Iv just started plastering my rooms and iv pregrit it and found the walls are taking the moisture out the plaster very quickly could I pva over the bondit to slow down the suction thanks

[@jayvincent8288]

I have been using blue grit for years but have recently come across plasterers pre grit (yellow one) really good product and much cheaper 👍🏻

[@stuartandrews4344]

Much better product Bond It Plasterers Pregrit .

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Ohhhh I’ll give this a go. Cheers!

[@lukedruggan6839]

Where do you get these other products from and how much?

[@stuartandrews4344]

​@@lukedruggan6839 Bond It Plasterers Pregrit , builder merchants, some of the merchants you can get a cash trade account, will save a few pennies.It's also on Ebay, it's around £16 with free p&p.

[@garymuir4695]

I’ll stick with pva any day. Blue and green grit is almost like trying to cover a small artex.

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Haha my thoughts exactly 😂

[@martinjay3570]

Yep!

[@henryg224]

Sbr over pva its waterbased lmao

[@nathan87]

Not a pro, and I've only done a couple of walls over bluegrit. But my experience was that any grit showing through the first coat didn't matter. Just use the first coat to get the surface basically flat even if the texture is a little rough. The second coat will go on like normal and cover it.

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

That’s what I found mate. Good points 👍

[@LongNThickWithEase]

Hi mate, I some times mix it in with the pva so the finish plasterer doesn’t slide about, especially on really smooth paint, I’m sure uve tried skimming really smooth paint and your finish is just sliding about, I find it does help, only thing is it’s no good for patching because of the grit.

[@leosedf]

How about a ceiling with plasterboard (just put in) do you think i can blue grit and then plaster?

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

Yeah you can do but it’s not needed. Better off just pva’ing it instead if it’s dusty or you need longer

[@leosedf]

@@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot Thank you Νίκο, i was just thinking if it has very good adhesion to put it first, maybe the grit will make it even stronger, i know it's overkill but it's on my place and i thought why not.

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

@@leosedf no worries mate. Plasterboard is designed to accept plaster with no work to it, so unless the boards are really old and windswept, cut sections, or it’s dusty, then there’s no need for pva or grit. It will give you more time if you need it, but in that instance, you’re better off with extra time or an additive like that

[@leosedf]

@@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot Oh i didn't know that, i was talking about a brand new bare plasterboard. Thank's a lot for this info.

[@benmjt]

What numpty didn’t stagger the PB joints

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Ha I’m just the plasterer 😂

[@benmjt]

​@@PlasteringForBeginners I know you'd never do that, Blaine!

[@carldriscoll6736]

Have you ever used bostik plasterers stabilising primer ?

[@RichardDowd]

As that old saying goes - 'a chain is only as strong as its weakest link'.

[@bells1969]

Could I use this on plasterboard and then tile on it

[@nigelcann555]

Hi blaine, got a wall render, knocked off old render it was murder, the wall is uneven and red brick very pourus, how would you go about it i was thinking scud, slurry, if i do that do i have to still scratch coat thks

[@richardblack6569]

I've got a wall that's been hardwalled and I haven't got around to multifinishing it, would bluegrit be good onto the hardwall or would you use SBR?

[@MarcusT86]

Another good vid buddy. So are blue grit and pregrit the same thing just different makers? Oh and hello James the chippy!

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Thank Marcus, hope you’re well matey. And yeah…it’s pretty much the same thing pal. James appreciated the response 😂

[@00wei67]

Hi. Where & why would you use blue grit?

[@davidfoley8189]

I do like blue grit,big fan.It’s not a cure all though.Old paint and blown backing are always a true pain.

[@brendanosullivan3664]

Hi Blaine if you have blue grit and a 5 litre of ploy bond and mixer it together say half a bucket of blue grit with the ploy bond with in 2 hours you are safe to go Blaine

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

That’s a great shout!! Cheers pal 👍

[@MrChazzahc]

Blaine, how are you getting on with the venician plaster? Going up Northern Ireland soon to get the course under my belt, hopefully get a few jobs out of it

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I’ll be honest, I’ve had no demand so far. I love doing it but there’s no requests

[@rajveersinghp344]

Im used it but there is no problems as you tell

[@shodan198]

Do half blue grit to a whole tub of PVA the. U can do it same day

[@LakelandDamproofing]

Here’s a little nugget for ya my freind Kevin Lindow invented blue grit , he is a fellow plasterer and was sick of the sand running to the bottom of the green grit which is sand pva and green dye he changed the sand to plastic 1mm grains which floated , he worked with sovereign chemicals in barrow in Furness to create this product

[@brimplas1]

I used that sovereign grit many years ago fella! If it was just pva why does it not re emulsifie like pva ?

[@LakelandDamproofing]

@@brimplas1 blue grit and green grit both contain pva and pva is water soluble prob all the chemicals added to keep the pattern something has to be differant

[@brimplas1]

@@LakelandDamproofing yep. I see people saying to put normal pva in the grit but thats just defeating the object of the grit..

[@LakelandDamproofing]

@@brimplas1 the grit is only in there for a bond and ya don’t need a lot of git stuck on the wall for finish to grip it

[@LakelandDamproofing]

@@brimplas1 unless it’s a ceilinv

[@AnthonySmith-cp7yc]

Rarely use blue grit tbh _ prefer bostick but generally use pva on most jobs _ good video tho

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Thanks matey. I agree about PVA by the way - so much better!

[@pm-bg9mu]

I've never had a problem with blue grit It's great for skimming over artex Everyone to there own

[@kevocos]

I've seen pva fail used on reskim over sound skimcoat. That put me completely off ever using pva. Blue grit may be more hassle but its much more reliable option in my opinion

[@taureanwilliams2900]

I heard this one before. Look, PVA has been around for many many years. It'll be around forever. Blue grit or pre grit as I prefer is better but if a plasterer earns £200 a day then who is going to pay someone to roller the walls etc. As a plasterer myself, it's a easy day for me but it's expensive.

[@stuartandrews4344]

@@taureanwilliams2900 I use SBR diluted about 4-1 instead of PVA which I have been caught out with it re-emulsifying more than once over the years.And I prefer using Bond It Plasterers Pregrit, which I consider better than Blue Grit.

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

@@taureanwilliams2900 very true. If I decide to use a grit I’ll either get a labourer to do it, or it’s charged at a day within the quote. Bear in mind it’s not just rolling the walls on that day, it’s scrumming, prepping the walls, can get beads ready, putting foam floor protector etc, so hardly just turning up and rolling the walls

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Good points here lads!! Why spend more when PVA works and it’s faster??

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

@@PlasteringForBeginners I often use pva, but if I’m going over a wall that’s had paper on it previously, and especially if the clients stripped the paper and washed the walls down (on a job now that this was meant to have been done by the homeowner, was done badly), then I’ll use a grit for peace of mind. I also like skimming over the grit, feels like you get a nice purchase on the wall in comparison to going over a painted surface

[@cryptodab3351]

Water down with pva and it’s easier to roller on

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

👍👍

[@mattknox6443]

Yeh me mix blue grit with pva 50 /50 goes on easier and lasts longer

[@jameshawe7499]

I hate blue grit it’s to thick plasterers pre grit is the one I always use. It never lets me down. I try not to use pva

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Fair point! I’ll give it a go 👍

[@Frankieee-bj6nu]

the yellow stuff is loads better mate goes nice and isnt as thick think its called pregrit id deffently give it ago

[@stuartandrews4344]

Bond It Plasterers Pregrit,great product.

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I’ll have to try these 2 - thanks guys!

[@bakeredwards]

It adds a lot of cost to what is normally a dead cheap process.

[@jamiekirby8143]

Lad throw that blue grit in the skip where it belongs, if you want a grit there's only 2 options in my opinion, if ya got a big job and the the time to prep the day before it's bondit pregrit (yellow tub) grit is nice and fine and is like 120 grit sand paper so pretty much like skimming over plaster board, and it's cheap and goes further than bluegrit, second one is an amazing product from arrow (arrow bond grit) same texture as the first product but one hour drying time, skim same day, little pricey but I always have a bucket in my van, I don't bother with pva, but as you said the background had to be good cos the grit is only as good as what it's put on,

[@johnpemberton5089]

Like the comment below said, green grit is far nicer to use.

[@coryovenstone4408]

Can I ask what brush you use, the 1 I have just now keeps losing strands as I go. Also using the ox speed skim do you find it a lot better for flattening than just the flexi?

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

It’s a 6” Faithful brush mate - it’s a beast. You’ll love it!

[@Tedstie]

You would of had the same problem with pva or whatever mate if there flaking paint

[@drm6089]

Never used it never will

[@kevinlawes591]

Only used it once myself was not an enjoyable experience!

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Haha do true!

[@davepangolin4996]

All the grit products are a waste of time and money… the idea is good but a good scrape down and pva is better. If the wall is in such a poor condition then do it with undercoat or board … probably still quicker and as cost effective…

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Very good points here pal!

[@craig3784]

You need to be more concerned about dunking a croissant in a cup of tea, 😂😂😂. Can't get in with blue grit, it actually cost me alot more time when I tried it, pva all the way. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Croissant and tea is the answer 😂😂😂

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I agree about the PVA though ha!

[@johnnybrown7644]

I hate the stuff. Only use it on lead paint areas

[@thomaselston4680]

Put duck 🦆 tape on the pulit off

[@backcountrymon]

Shit, I'd never use it

[@Pinkpanter.plastering]

I don’t like it it’s touchy

[@bowman166]

Its all shite stick with the PVA ! Not only extra materials but the increase in setting time and pissing blistering you get with it i only ever used it if i have to re skim on old sand lime & horse hair walls that need completely sealed up due to suction, but i find SBR better on those. And I’ve been spreading shite on walls for over 30 years! Your even getting miserable old spreaders watching videos for beginners ya never stop learning 👍

[@OGDadAverage]

I found pink grit by Betokontakt to be alot better and more forgiving to plaster on

[@jordannorris2203]

I no longer plaster everyday but when I was we only used knauf betakontact trust me try it and thanked me later