Sand and Cement Scratch Coat on my DIY Project Wall Tips & Advice on Rendering

[@macplastering]

The next video on this wall = kzbin.info/www/bejne/baKkdoiVbJWdmJo

[@ted2047]

Perfect vid to go with a sunday morning cuppa. Nice one Mac

[@macplastering]

Thank you Ted we have a great day here to nice and Sunny I will have to do more on this wall when the Suns here :) Thanks again for the support matey :)

[@NriapiaTV]

Been watching your render videos for a while now before I start a home, garden diy job I’m about to do. Thanks again for another helpful video... 👍🏽

[@macplastering]

So glad to be helpful to you my friend :) have a good few rendering videos uploaded and more to come in the coming weeks :)

[@neiletheridge38]

Hi Mac. Have been in the game for sometime now, but mainly on the bond and set side, not too much at all on the rendering. What do you sand do you recommend? Do you maybe mix a bit of builder's into plastering sand or just a plastering sand. Keep up the top work and great advice. I never stop learning! Cheers. Jez

[@macplastering]

Thats it Brother we will learn on this game until the day we walk away from it and even then will learn haha but I try to just keep to plastering sand our clean washed plastering sand here is very good quality the stuff I used on this wall was not the best sand but what I could get my hands on at the time, But a tiny but of builders in real sharp plastering sand wont do no harm but say if you doing a 4 to 1 mabe just a half bucket builders to soften it down some

[@desmcdowell2469]

Really enjoy your videos. Have you any tips for DIY rendering a whole house. I fully understand this is a job that really should be left to a crew of professionals, but for someone that is determined to do it solo, what advise would you give? For example, I've been told I should use "stop bead" to section off areas that are too big, but will the join between each section not be seen? I don't want loads of visible joints in the finished render. I've done a good bit of interior plastering with good results, but in most cases, an internal wall is a lot smaller than say a large gable end. Is it possible for a novice to render large sections in stages, without visible joints or getting cracks. You've clearly invested a lot of time and effort in your trade, and in the content you share, thank you 👍

[@macplastering]

I would say the best way to do it solo would be wet dash to be honest rendering it smooth will be very hard solo nothing is impossible and this is not impossible but no doubt hard both physically and mentally and off course will take skill ,On the channel there is a good few rendering videos in them I talk about controlling the suction I think one of the popular rubbing / finishing the render will show how I straighten and this will help you some at the joints If you can watch all these it will only further your underextra

[@desmcdowell2469]

@@macplastering I would prefer a smoother nap finish so I even though I was hoping to do as much DIY as possible, I think I'll leave this job to the pros. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply 👍

[@macplastering]

You could break it up with some nice bands so you have sections ? this can look nice also , mate if you can do a me a little favour the new video uploaded I have been told it was freezing at points if you can have a peek and let me know if it freezes on you and when ? would be a great help

[@desmcdowell2469]

@@macplastering Yeah mate it freezes at 2:38 stays frozen until 3:50. Freezes again at 4:49 and stays frozen until your closing scene

[@macplastering]

@@desmcdowell2469 Thanks man this is a pain as youtube tell us watch time is very important for growth on video that are new that day thanks for looking man appreciate it

[@over50andfantabulous59]

Most excellent work dear Brother.👍👍🌼

[@macplastering]

Thank you my Fabulous Sister :):)

[@antman-uc9hh]

Great video. Do u think this would work on old stone wall house? What size is the trowel ur using? Thanks

[@macplastering]

Some lime guys dont like cement on stone but I have done it on some walls for builders with good results have a few videos on it if you like to look around the channel that rendering trowel an 18" LOL

[@antman-uc9hh]

@@macplastering thanks mate, I'll check it out 👍

[@macplastering]

@@antman-uc9hh Any time mate always here and new videos Every Sunday

[@markhep]

Nice work mate. Yere I think I go both ways witch ever I fancy. More left to right. And I am a lefty 👍👍👍

[@macplastering]

I have done both but when you find what works and feels best thats the way to stay LOL :) but its that old one whats the best way the right way LOL

[@markhep]

@@macplastering yere mate there is no right or wrong. I used to get told to work one way with bricking laying. But any way works the same 👍👍👍

[@macplastering]

@@markhep was just thinking that with bricklaying as long as everything is bonded well and mix is right cant see how it will go wrong :):)

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Great video. I am looking for someone to do pebble dashing on the rear of my bungalow. Where are you based?

[@macplastering]

Most work are around Belfast

[@lloydsmith6373]

Im right handed and find going right to left with render i tend to drop less gear where im trowlling into my excisting render, if that makes sense ur trowlling into what youve put on.

[@macplastering]

Thats it mate same here I do the way that feels best and drops less most times i got that hawk trapped under to catch any drippers :)

[@paulhelmn9889]

deffo right to left or heel to toe when rendering

[@macplastering]

@@paulhelmn9889 Hi Paul mate I my honest view it makes no difference as long as its comfortable to coat and you find your speed is ok then its good either way , So when you dry dash would you coat right to left ?

[@paulhelmn9889]

mac plastering 100% r to l anytime any thickness is being spread you should work heel to toe it’s the correct way i’m not saying decent work can’t be done r to l but it’s not how it’s been traditionally taught

[@macplastering]

Had a nice reply for you but scrolled down and it all diapered,,,, so yes I find the way I coat far better for me feels better on my body more comfort all the years I been putting on render this way has felt best for me.. not sure it is traditional as if you look all over the world many work righted handed the same as myself just on youtube alone you can see this but i 100% believe as long as no air is trapped behind it dont matter if you go one way or the other you can see in the videos I dont drop much at all and my coating is neat and am still working into my render just to to heal instead of heal to toe but thanks for your input Paul

[@marklennon4898]

Love your tutorials , I was wondering if you could answer a question for me pls . I’m about to tackle a job at home and I want to finish it white cement . Does my scratch coat need to be in white cement also ?

[@mrmaestrouk]

I would or u could get colour bleed throughs

[@macplastering]

When I pebble dash I always use normal sand and cement for scratch coat , white sand tends to be real fine very close to building sand and can be hard to work , what is the finish your going for mate ? if you have time you can have a look at me working white over normal cement - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6aaqGWfotOJn8k

[@marklennon4898]

mac plastering Thanks a million for your reply and yes I will watch your recommended video later tonight . I’m just going to float and sponge the finish coat in the white . I just didn’t know if I should put the scratch in white or ordinary cement . My fear with ordinary grey cement scratch coat is that it might dull the white finish if that makes any sense .

[@marklennon4898]

Shaggy Maest Cherers Shaggy 👍

[@macplastering]

its not the easiest thing to rub up as the sand seems to be very fine I think you can get a quarts sand might be more gritty as silica sand is very fine and when I do revails with it I always trowel finish as its so sticky , I know what your saying but if its a nice depth should be ok as long as the backing coat is well set but you could do a 1st coat with white to be safe

[@vinrobinson75]

Can I ask for advice? Just done my back garden wall at the weekend. First time and done alright towards the end but made a bit of a balls at the start. Just done one coat five to one mix with plasticiser. I didn't scratch it and now I'm asking can I or how could I put another coat over it? I'm thinking six to one mix with plasticiser? Or will it just slide off the wall. Any advice welcome.

[@macplastering]

Hi mate sorry for late reply your comment got held up in held for review, but if it was me I would try mark it up some with a chipping hammer or grinder to give some key then paint the lot with sbr and try going over but a scratch coat really dose help mate 1 coat is harder to do and never as good as a job as a 2 coat for long term

[@neiletheridge38]

Spot on Mac! Thanks for the advice. 👍👍

[@macplastering]

Any time buddy always here and if can help or just want to know a few ideas around still here :):)

[@AnnieThyme]

Looks like you had pretty good weather out there for this. Must be nice after all those wet frigid days back in the winter. :) Interesting to see the process here and looking forward to seeing the other videos you were talking about when you get them out. Hope you're having good weather this week ahead as well and are getting to enjoy that garden of yours Have a good one :)

[@macplastering]

The gardens going good hard to keep it cut haha but the peas me and the we one planted are giving tones of tasty peas haha sun flowers are close to flowering the radish is seeding the potatoes flowerd but no idea if they seed or not lol some beans are flowering to its been fun for sure :):) I am for sure busting to get these next videos edited believe it or not was just adding some detail to that wall there, Cant wait to get it done as its mostly a vision in my head but want to show it off :)

[@thekeystone8759]

use the power float I want see how it works for you. I got the red one it's putting hollows in the wall I don't like it I think I put in skip

[@macplastering]

Who makes the red one mate?? My last video with it was not great conditions have used it on a mates wall and will get that uploaded in the coming weeks for sure , but will also try get that bad boy out on this wall :):) cant wait to show my 2nd go with the refina Power float

[@jimmyc9925]

Mac how are ye ciaran here in mayo . quick question on the scratcher, is the flexible scatcher yer using there better than the old needle type comb one it looks like it gives a better key whats yer advice on the two types . thanks again for the videos

[@macplastering]

Hi mate doing good here hope you and yours are doing great ... So yes I like this one over the needle as I find it gives a great key , I learned using hand made scratchers witch where like the needle type only closer to gather like this one , The needle type is better if you like scratching in wavy lives also if the gear gets tighter it will give a better key/deeper if this makes sense

[@jimmyc9925]

@@macplastering thanks mac , all good here locked down again . Iv found on one of the bigger walls the flexible type wasnt scratching to well if it dried any bit. So you think the needle type might work a bit better if the render has started to dry a bit. Thanks for help

[@macplastering]

@@jimmyc9925 Oh yes the stiffer spoke scratchers will cut in better when its drier

[@Boult-iT]

Hi matey, really appreciate the content. I’m taking on a big external s&c job next week however it’s on thermalite blocks which has me concerned, do you have any tips? Cheers

[@macplastering]

Hi mate last time i worked over light weight block it was being hard walled and skimmed inside apartments the blocks where used to keep weight down but I think they are still great for structural strength , but yes it dried fast super fast even after being primed , other times I went over years past it was soaked soaked and pvaed and still it dried fast again this was inside work, but it might be worth soaking it down and putting sbr and a fair drop of water proffers in your 1st coats possibly scud then scratch and try get top coat on anything you scratch coat the next day to help beat any suction , I also heard these blocks called soap block as can be cut with a hand saw , hope I am talking bout the same block as you are , most times its white here

[@Boult-iT]

mac plastering thanks for the reply mate, everything you said is what I’m worried about, this is going to be one of those jobs lol Once again, thanks for all the videos, really do appreciate them. Cheers

[@macplastering]

Any time mate hope it goes great for you I think water is your best friend on it , let me know how you get on with it

[@anthonykenny1120]

Hi Mac great job, you make it look easy,, true pro 👍👍

[@macplastering]

Thank you Matey :):) its not easy my back tells me all the time LOL

[@dismaldog]

i was always taught right to left for render and left to right for the old lime/plaster white setting skim-but like you said i don't think any right or wrong really

[@macplastering]

Be strange if I am doing it wrong but getting great results hahah same as the guys that taught me I can still see work we done when i was servings my time and its still looks great but coating as long as no air trapped go to do :)

[@macplastering]

When i think coating top coat right to left I always think how hard must it be for them lads to dry dash them big walls as they will be throwing as a hook be a night mare where as when Im dashing its back hand always until the right hand corner as you know need to get them stones on quick lol

[@paultant6741]

Hi Mac. Going to plaster an old concrete porch in mayo. Has been cement washed a few times and have taken most cement off back to rough concrete. Is this good enough to scudd coat on concete and psrt cement wash???

[@macplastering]

Hi mate sorry for late reply It dose sound like you could do it that way Im not sure you seen the area on this wall i scuded over a smooth old area of render with sbr on and in mix to test and its still doing very well scratch coat is tight I need to get some free time to crack on with it and get it sorted :) but yes if you get it as clean and possible make sure its solid a scud would and should be as good as most options mate

[@paultant6741]

Thanks Mac. Will check out what you did on smooth render wall. Also feel confident to go ahead with porch. 👍👍

[@macplastering]

@@paultant6741 Think that parts on the scud coat video sweet man keep me posted on it :)

[@SuoNagato]

Great work. my Friend. Like Thanks. Have a nice Sunday. Greetings Suo

[@macplastering]

Thanks buddy hope you have a great Day :)

[@rockroll456]

Nice job bud is that a refina super flex your using bud

[@macplastering]

Thank you mate :) Its a refina rendering trowel mate a big one at that :)

[@rockroll456]

mac plastering 😀😀

[@frankiea3716]

What trowel you using mate? is that a refina stainless steel ??

[@macplastering]

It sure is Frankie mate its a Refina rendering trowel not as wide but more ridged and strong thing is pretty long like a straight edge in fact small areas this thing is all i need haha :)

[@wayneturley7814]

Stuff into stuff,, I'm a right to left man myself, get it on the wall how ever a man likes👍🏻what's the idea of the hawk with the crooked handle

[@macplastering]

same way i see it Wayne mate , yes the hawks handle is supposed to be better on the arm and wrist I find now I cant use a marshalltown hawk at all now feels uncomfortable

[@wayneturley7814]

Any bit of comfort in this game is a help, never seen them must get my hands on one give it a try, thanks for the reply man keep er country👍🏻

[@pauledwards5216]

Do the walls need to be wet first mate

[@macplastering]

if its fresh block it might be ok to go straight on but if old might need a splash of water help it bond and slow suction

[@macplastering]

Mate our new video is uploaded but can I as you a little favour some of the other subscribers tell me it is freezing at points can you have a peek and let me now how it plays for you ? would be so much help

[@pauledwards5216]

Hi mate done the job 2 weeks ago it was on old walls i wet them up a bit great bonding job turned out spot on was a bit cold early morning so went at it when temperatures went up a bit around lunch time nice job over all and customer was very happy cheers for the advice mate. Merry christmas 🍻

[@macplastering]

@@pauledwards5216 Nice one mate glad it came in great for you sounds a mint job and glad i was able to help you out some Hope you have a great day today mate :)

[@mikeriches9135]

How do you get the render to stick in a window reveal? Can you go straight into the metal lintel?

[@macplastering]

Metal lintels should have a mesh on them or be made if to be plastered over with a design to let the render bond in , I have went over smooth ones not easy but can be done , what i did was sbr on the lintel and some in the mix scratch coated then next day top coated , once you get a nice scratch on the top coat will be not issues :)

[@mikeriches9135]

mac plastering thanks a lot man

[@macplastering]

Anytime bro :)

[@tu3400]

If I was scratching coating over old brick, it has a lot of key in it (I.e from when harling was getting drilled off), it’s been heavily water washed for dust, do I need to pva/ sbr after all that? I thought no just give a spray with the hose, but someone said it needed to be pvad ?

[@macplastering]

I would most likely scud to be safe ive a video on the channel a d how to mix scud also

[@tu3400]

@@macplastering will check it out thanks Mac

[@macplastering]

Always here mate :)

[@christopherprice55]

Looking to render my back wall but I've got a lot of lime coming over the wall surface can this still be rendered over ??

[@macplastering]

is it stone ?

[@christopherprice55]

@@macplastering no block m8

[@macplastering]

@@christopherprice55 did they use lime mortar ? or is the joints going white?

[@christopherprice55]

I built the wall coming out of the joints 🤦‍♂️

[@macplastering]

@@christopherprice55 only times i ever see that is in wall that have got wet loads have went over it and not had any major issues to be honest

[@StevePhillips]

You really crack on with the work, must be young blood. I notice you do not mess with it much if at all. I do and mess up. I don't have anymore rendering to do right now. But, next time I will use your technique or at least try to.

[@macplastering]

Thats it mate best thing when rendering is get in on a neat and let it bond to wall , Thanks for watching buddy :)

[@stephbhoy1]

I’ve never done a scud coat unless the wall was in a terrible state. Why did u need to do that

[@macplastering]

This wall was really old mate so did it for that reason to help control suction also believe it or not if i push the wall hard it had a slight wobble also why i built the peer on it but the scud coat will make the wall stronger also ,I have seen walls that where red brick and where about to fall over when scud coated no movement the next day Hope this helps mate sorry for late reply the comment was in held for review box for some reason.

[@petergray5491]

Gab yourself some Dutch pins for holding rules on

[@macplastering]

Good mate of mine used them they are great I know Rambo tools dose them I might need to get onto them for some :):) When i come to rubbing this up was thinking getting clamps to help some

[@Herdedsheep]

What is the Ratio for the scud coat mix ? And do you let the scud coat fully dry before putting on the scratch coat Thanks

[@macplastering]

Hi mat could you tell me @0:10 it is at ?