NEW, Updated Sponge Method REVEALED…(For Better Results In Plastering)

Want to learn how to plaster?? Go here: plasteringforb...
In todays video we're going to shoe you the NEW updated process to Sponge Float Plastering. I have made a video like this in the past but I've improved the method.
Tools used in this video:
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Ox Speedskim - amzn.to/3QoUKVi
Sponge Float - amzn.to/3FOnBxP
Nela Premium Trowel - amzn.to/3ifgxCB
Ox Hawk - amzn.to/3ZlYds7
Refina Mixing Bucket - amzn.to/3ZglgV9
--
And I believe this is the best and easiest way to Sponge Float Plaster a wall.
So there's a lot to learn but this process is ideal for beginners and professionals alike. I like this method but it does require a few extra steps but I can assure you that the finish is well worth the effort.
I think this method creates the best plastered finish you can get!
So give it a go! We'd love to hear from you so let us know what you think by commenting below. And please like and subscribe to our channel for more up to date ways to render and plaster.
/ plasteringforbeginners
Thanks for watching. I'll see you one the next one.
Cheers.
Blaine Gray,
Plastering For Beginners

[@davesmith3562]

I'm a long time served plasterer but I still don't understand why after you have flattened it with refina spat. Then you go back over with sponge and break surfaces again to then have to still give it 2 trowels like I would without sponging. ?

[@Billy_Bull_Sheeter]

I've plastered a whole house (semi detached 5 bedroom house in East London) using a plastic butter knife, after I forgot my trowel. The finish was so smooth and perfect it looked like glass. It was beautiful. I don't mean to brag, but I think I'm the best plasterer on planet earth.

[@bubbazanetti1472]

😀

[@endoalley680]

Was the plastic butter knife serrated? If so, quite the accomplishment.

[@Billy_Bull_Sheeter]

@@endoalley680 yes it was.

[@garethmcrae668]

That's nothing, I did a small housing development with a hedgehog carcass. Smoothest walls they'd ever seen.

[@hummervs3278]

Wait all you guys use tools like the guy in the video? Just use your arm & hand. Smoother than glass - usually don’t need paint it looks so good! 😂

[@bluevanmani]

I hear what you’re saying about British gypsum not guaranteeing sponge floating but their not going to guarantee anything in reality always gonna be an excuse. PersonallyI do traditional plastering but like you say get a great finish with a sponge as well. Keep up the vids Blaine great channel 👍

[@PrangGella]

Stick to the white book & BG will cover you

[@robinwalton-gm5ms]

Great guy. Gives it a go while others sit on their sofas.

[@darringodden7225]

Well done with this one. You would have helped a lot of cats that my have been a bit stuck in their ways. I very much appreciate your efforts. Thank you.

[@easypainterslondon]

there is something magical about plastering

[@PaulCloves]

It’s also a great method for small hard to trowel areas where ur room and arm movement is restricted it’s really allows u to get it flat and it’s easier to flatten in when sponged

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

Word to the wise: This lad is lightning quick and highly skilled so he can two-coat with the same mix. I'm a joiner who can skim walls/ceilings very proficiently but I'm nowhere near as fast as our friend here SO a fresh mix for coat two gives me MUCH MORE TIME!!! You'll see what I mean...

[@theq-1]

I use the first mix for the second coat but chuck in a bit more water mix it round with the scoop and it buys a lot of extra time.

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

@@theq-1 I've never done that and I have no clue why???? I'll try it!

[@theq-1]

@@kevinchamberlain7928 do it as soon as you have finished using the first bucket... the sooner the better. When you add water the first time you mix; it triggers a rapid exothermic reaction; adding water the second time cools it and slows the cure enough for non pros like you and me to get it on the wall in one bucket assuming the wall isnt too big! I use the whisk for the second water addition normally,you can also add a bit of powder if needs be; but i like my second coat runnier. Works perfectly and im just off to do a wall now :-) Enjoy!.

[@kevinchamberlain7928]

@@theq-1 Thank you for you're help! In essence, we're knocking-up the mix! I will try this, mate!

[@NoreastWhips]

Two coats from the same batch, that's how we do veneer skim in the States. First spread, then immediately double back with same back, then water, trowel down and finish off. Good vid!

[@BobBenz55]

Excellent…been doing this process … really helped me. Getting quicker at it. Just need to somehow stop the plaster falling all over the place from my hawk 😂👍🏼

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Haha that’s the hard bit

[@BobBenz55]

@@PlasteringForBeginnerson a serious note thou, you content really helped me big time!!! Doing a massive project, done the build pretty much my self, thought I’ll have a go at plastering 😂👍🏼. Love the Refina sponge float and the Ox speed skim. 👍🏼 using a carbon steal Ragni trowel.

[@onisiforosonisiforou]

you are the best really i enjoy watching you and listen to the way you explain everything . i am not a builder i never use and building tools but still i enjoy your videos .

[@Jamescarr14]

I just clean my sponge on the side of my bucket (bucket has to be smooth edge and free of hard plaster or it rips the sponge to bits) love your vids ive watched you for years 👍

[@ooslum]

Two coats from one mix, reminds me of coving in the 70's. A good friend thought he would be fast putting it up and mixed all 12 packet of adhesive and then started to work out how to cut the cove, you could have cooked dinner in that bucket, 😊

[@JohnUk65]

I'm only a DIYer. And I can honestly say having used a sponge float for my plastering it has catapulted the quality of my work to another level..

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

It is great for beginners 👍

[@lewisriggs6596]

Hi Blaine would you say using stainless trowel after sponge is better the a flexy and. Would give better finish ??

[@diegolopez9694]

​@@PlasteringForBeginners have you ever used Spanish yeso? If so any tips? This stuff goes off so fast. 35 euro a bag for multi finish here in Spain so I need to get to grips with the yeso

[@MrSnlac]

Any tips for spanish yeso ?

[@ThumpahLee]

I love your videos and I am learning a lot more about plastering...I heard you say you are working with gypsum plaster. Do you also have a video series working with clay plasters and lime plasters? I have been working for the past year with clay plaster and I need to do my bathroom in lime plaster. I would love to see some tutorial videos from you on plastering with these mediums. Thanks!

[@Wgnwtb]

He did a lime video recently, 10 videos back, a&e also have one)

[@ThumpahLee]

I found it right after I posted that comment... thanks! what about clay plaster? @@Wgnwtb

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Thanks matey - check the channel out and thanks for watching 👍👍

[@alistairbooth5509]

Love watching you and so much information. Going try my 1st wall soon so looking forward to having a go. 😁👍🏻

[@paulcloona9331]

4 differart plasters i know do 2 coat same mix. 2 of them use a sponge float. The two that used the sponge float had way better finish and flatter walls.

[@theq-1]

Good tip!.. do it in sections as he says. First time i did a big wall, the sponge lines set in the top left and it turns in a mega sweat to get them out. 😂 anothet few mins and id have to start again.

[@richarddunn5216]

Ive gone back to my marshaltown after years of flexy. I feel my work has gone back to the quality I was proud of. Maybe ill use it to flatten the first coat again.

[@russellscott1151]

I used to sponge the whole wall and struggled to get the lines out cos that was the instructions at the time. Never thought to do it in sections as presumed to get it flat you needed to work the whole wall. This sounds a lot better. Thanks.

[@chrisw1506]

Hi Blaine, Great video thank you. Did you say you sponge float a small section at a time and then trowel it up and then do another bit? Cheers

[@kingkongdingalong9260]

I'm a spread. Near 30 years.....26 on the tools (I let me mates serve their time on apprenticeship wages £15 a day .......) I chose to labor £50 a day. I learned just as much As me mates. When I'd spot boards full I'd wet my own tools I had bought n kept in the van and I'd apply S and C....skim cubby holes etc...... My boss seen I was well capable so let me go on the H AND T.... Full time..... Same wage.. I'm now 46 n have pains galore lol.... But imho it is the most demanding job out there. I never screed skimming apart from once when I done a 4 Star hotel.......I give first coat.. Flatten with trowel, cut back the angles then apply the second coat.usually a dry flatten on first trowel depending on the walls suction/age/not enough pva applied initially.I use my 60 euro horse hair brush for mainly the second coat..sprinkle /splash water on the wall.. Flatten it....brush my angles clean beads etc..... Wait till areas going brown in places and give a good hard trowel,. I'm actually going to start using one of those spray bottles you use.i Enjoy your videos. Paul. Ireland rep. Edit . I only use one trowel and that's my baby my marshalltown 14 inch

[@lukedohnt370]

Loving your videos. Is there a reason why you didn’t use mesh in this instance?

[@TheNomadicTrader]

Going to give this a go later as a DIYer :)

[@dachreport]

Do you need to prime or prepare a wall before plastering? I have a wall that needs skimming that some previous plaster was done. Thank you for the videos

[@agg25gga]

Thanks for the course buddy, helped me heaps

[@philpownall7852]

Love your videos. Thank you for your great content.

[@malcolmwootton2815]

Hi Blaine, do you let the first coat pick up before applying the second when using the same mix?

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

A little bit…but not to the point where the mix is unusable. I probably give it 5, 10 mins max after application of first coat.

[@malcolmwootton2815]

Cheers Blaine

[@Joe-jv5mm]

Great video, Thanks for adding the out takes/Fails 😅 Shows your Human TOP CHANNEL 👏👏👏👏

[@liftfan2]

Your videos are great mate. Well done!

[@lewisriggs6596]

Hi Blaine do you flatten with trowel after speed skim

[@BalaVythilingum]

Hi have a question... why not only one coat why 2.. here in Mauritius we mostly use Rhinolite from south africa ... i apply 1 coat of 3mm than dress it with the wide spatula (dont know the name of the tool) here it is ruler... than let it dry dress it again let it dry scrub t with sponge remove the cream to get a flat and smooth surface let it dry again second time sponge than make it shin level 5 no snagging at all

[@BalaVythilingum]

I will surely post a video on youtube ... than will put the linkbin this comment so you cn advise me ... p.s im new to this job 😅

[@chrisyardley6380]

get a washboy like the one shown! its easy to clean the sponge and its a good bucket for your trowels to sit in! Trust me, makes life easier

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I’ll give it a go - cheers pal!

[@darrylfranklin7490]

If you think hardwall has a lot of suction you should have tried Browning

[@RobinWhistles]

Great video..thanks a mil for posting 👍

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RichardTomlinson-d5f]

We use rigid trowel for 1st two coats and then refina plastic for the rest, never any come backs! Would never use sponge myself but everyone to thier own I suppose.

[@MrSnlac]

Any tips for spanish yeso ?

[@RyanRickles]

Hi there , been watching your videos for a while now. Thanks for the supreme content. Does anybody now what the equivalent to thistle plaster would be here in the states? thanks

[@ryancampbell8235]

Hi Blaine, i tried this yesterday for the first time but the float dragged to the point where it pulled the plaster around to much if i used it flat to the wall. I resorted to sweeping the float in straight lines whilst tilting it. I sprayed the plaster with more water which didnt seem to help. It was a refina 'fine' sponge float. They do medium and coarse, did i get the wrong one?

[@arinb12]

Do you/have you ever skimmed with filler to quickly smooth out bumpy and wavy already badly skimmed walls?

[@jessedmonds1358]

I need some help and advice i did a patch i had to stud and plasterboard two patch areas and pva on the existingthe plaster started slumping i waiting till it was almost off plastered over uneven in areas Will over skimming slove the uneven finish to smooth

[@DannyArbuckle]

Great video 👌 definitely gonna give the sponge another try 💯

[@colwilpro]

What ratio of water to PVA to call it thick please?

[@MrNest24]

Have you used the pole attachment on the X-skim on a ceiling? Plus is there a way using a normal paint pole?

[@lewisriggs6596]

I use a paint pole for my speed skim

[@elenarespeto6001]

Me encanta como trabajas😍, ese yeso cual es porque aquí en España, bueno en Andalucía Cádiz no lo veo. Gracias.

[@benclarkson4205]

Is there a retarder mix in that gear if you’re only using one mix for two coats? Won’t get gear be starting to stiffen by the 2nd application?

[@florinratu4034]

To clean the sponge you can use a rubber glove .

[@ooslum]

11:40 Gotta love the builders bench/desk/dinner table/perch. 🤣

[@Benzknees]

I got some of those air pockets you mentioned whilst recently adding skim to hardwall. What causes these? Overtrowelling?

[@TheNomadicTrader]

Not leaving enough time between sets I heard

[@Billy-dl7yg]

Should always put the first coat tightest as possible to any floated background, get air pockets from 1st pass too thick

[@moraghdann2313]

Is this a lime based plaster?

[@jorissplinter]

No I think it’s just the base coat colour in the UK

[@ThePlasterer]

Getting so close to that 100 thousand subs mate!💪👌👌👌

[@shadow_bandit403]

When I rule the second coat immediately after putting it on, it always pulls off in places leaving big holes or slash like streaks... super annoying!

[@martindonaton3603]

Bit of subject but I believe your the man who can help me I’ve recently bought the same nela trowel your using and it’s leaving terrible lines Im wondering if you had the same problems it doesn’t look bent but it’s acting like it is thanks

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Hi mate. It sounds like the blade is slightly bent towards the wrong way. Put pressure on the corners of the trowel to bend it into shape. Hard to explain but I hope that makes sense 👍

[@Nofixedabode859]

I find that nela blades come quite flat and level where marshaltowns have got that banana shape when you look down the length so it causes seam’s instead of lines if makes sense

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I agree actually Mickskinner. Few months with sand cement sorted it nicely though 👍

[@martindonaton3603]

Makes perfect sense thanks 👍

[@martindonaton3603]

@@PlasteringForBeginnersmakes perfect sense thanks 👍

[@petergalloway7978]

Quite agree with everything you say Brian l am a 77 retired plasrerer

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Great to hear from you and respect for your time served!

[@mattpurchase1]

Load of superglue will sort float out. 👍🏼

[@petermaidment1175]

Can you use SBR on hard wall or bonding to get it to hang more? Thanks

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

People swear by it but I just like using PVA to be honest.

[@juliangardner5891]

Yes sbr doesn't emulsify..when it drys ....it dry its a better sealer than pva

[@elliottdebell7783]

You got to stop flip flopping on this sponge method 😂 good video as always

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Haha I can’t help myself! There’s a reason…next weeks video will make sense 👍

[@elliottdebell7783]

@@PlasteringForBeginners They all make sense mate your videos are too top 👍🏻 you took me from a bricklayer that can plaster to a plasterer that lays bricks 🧱 👍🏻

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Ha thank you so much! I take appreciate that pal - means a lot! Cheers 👍

[@Mac-og2hj]

I no it’s a lot more money but if you price it in a few jobs not so bad but. Better contact makes different back rounds all go off at the same time

[@NeilTrevenna]

went to B Q today bought a sponge float what a game changer so much easier

[@endoalley680]

His plaster seems to hold off from setting for longer than the Diamond Finish here in the USA.

[@Wgnwtb]

Will the yellow car wash sponge not do the same thing as a sponge float? please

[@KamilWasHere]

ive been plastering for about a year and from the start i was taught to use the sponge

[@PrangGella]

By who ?

[@DoraWillExploreHer]

Hi Blaine, thanks for posting.

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Thanks for watching pal!

[@chrisgregory8527]

You're right, cleaning that thing off is a nightmare....that's why I don't bother with them.... nice job though.

[@GR-ry6bs]

melted my plaza sat on a bucket in sun lol

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Haha I’ve done that twice myself 😂

[@Ryan_Clarke_Plastering]

I take my skim off my hawk the same as you. The jab method. Surprise me you don’t get people saying ‘ you can’t even take your skim off your hawk “properly” ‘. I to get that comment all the time

[@branthonkanen8681]

Trowel, screed, trowel, and you're done mate, have a pint.

[@sawdustcrypto3987]

This contradicts what you've said in other videos about when to use hardwall

[@BernardLinehan]

I'm plastering 38 years.Never ever sponge float a wall.The puritys in the plaster comes out and when you go to paint the wall the paint won't stick.

[@gary8306]

Then use zinsser😘

[@lewisriggs6596]

We just put on flatten then 2nd coat flatten then spondge trowel then cross trowel then plastic

[@RC-oi1gg]

I have artex ceilings throughout my house. I was told by a plasterer that I needed to board them all downstairs to prevent any plaster cracking when people walk upstairs. The ceilings are solid and in good condition. My spider senses are telling me this is BS. What are your thoughts?

[@DezzlySN1P3Z]

Load of rubbish mate bond it with blue grit/pva/green grit what ever you want and plaster straight over it. Scrape it back and apply plaster

[@PrangGella]

Reboard it is the best professional option

[@Nofixedabode859]

Can’t see it’s any simpler looks more like your adding a extra stage

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

👍👍

[@scottfletcher7754]

No need for sponge float waste of time, your making a mountain out of a mole hill

[@callyk5678]

Agree, the only time the sponge comes out is when things go badly wrong

[@daverogerson5969]

I think your missing the point

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Maybe…but it’s another way and the finish is solid to be fair. But I hear you. It can be a pain 👍

[@newm3201]

No need

[@DoraWillExploreHer]

First!

[@PrangGella]

Dont ever use a sponge

[@BrianSwallow-ti3fc]

Multi finish, is not designed, for a sponge float , sponge float is a waste of time , trowel only , cowboys use a sponge float , not proper plasterers , rough rough

[@adamday2628]

Zip it

[@MsPaulsf]

@@adamday2628 truth hurts

[@adamday2628]

@@MsPaulsf zip it

[@simonhughes7448]

Rattled

[@andreaspantelli3599]

Talking nonsense mate

[@rebphotography9287]

What a waste of time.

[@bamberedward6894]

Sorry this is all nonsense, I have been a a plasterer 41 years, if you are a diy plasterer and you are happy with it great. But don't do this for customers, it will never ever be any good.