Skim over Artex the Easy Method

[@cachinnans]

This is better than ANYTHING on television...!

[@leebaker6837]

I have been plastering for 33 years, and I have to say fair play your very neat and tidy, when I skim over artex I put a 1 hand full of bonding per bag into my first coat, lay it on quite thick then speedskim both ways, and flatten with a trowel, then when you top coat a hawk full goes miles, there for it will trowel up faster, also you took of the light fitting cover (to keep it clean) but that exposed live wires, I also unscrew the pendant lower it down a couple of inches put the cover back on then you only have to work around the wire, it's safer and easier, also the new plaster called fast set is a game changer, it totally works from mixing to final trowel in 1 hour 40 mins, good for a bedroom ceiling but not for an akward set,

[@oldreprobate2748]

Just turn the breaker off for the fixture before you start to work. If I need light I use lights plugged into another are not on that breaker, or my battery supplied lights. It really doesn't take much time to do a room this size if you're not producing an instructional video. But we all have our ways.

[@marksheppard9880]

Eat CARROTS. 😂😂

[@MARTINA-gc3tq]

The Paul Hollywood of the skimmers!

[@goingviral4542]

Get yourself and the lad a beer on me! ;-) Gave this dark art a go today with my boy - started with an Artex ceiling. Not recommended, but got there in the end thanks so much for sharing your knowledge Kirk!

[@Onthetrowel]

Thanks for the tip, very much appreciated. Sorry I only just noticed, I would of thanked you sooner 🙂🍻

[@goingviral4542]

No worries Kirk! @@Onthetrowel

[@KitBradshaw-p1e]

Not a plasterer but I could.not think of a better teacher brilliant video gets a like from me

[@sandrahestey4657]

Your totally amazing not many people I asked would do this, I thought all the good old guys had passed, but your leading the way big thanks for what your doing 🤗

[@TT_ClubRacing]

Stay out the angle on your first pass I'd the best plastering tip I've ever heard 👍 rookie here and angles I find hardest

[@JockeyCake]

This channel is about real knowledge transfer. It not only teaches, but really entertains. I enjoyed every minute, thank you. Anyway, I'm not a professional, I'm just renovating my house.

[@voodoocars2134]

Good job my son! I always give an artex ceiling a scrape first- the flatter the better to start with. I normally bang the first coat on as fast as possible and flatten it after it’s all on. A speedskim is handy as long as the room is virtually empty. Like you say, leave the first coat to go pretty firm before the 2nd. It’s easy to try to rush so be able to finish by lunch… On the odd occasion I would use a zombie mix but that would only be if the artex is particularly deep or uneven. There is one crucial thing you missed out… you MUST wear safety glasses. I know from experience by being nearly blinded in one eye due to chemical burns. I always have safety glasses on now.

[@KB-vj1mb]

Ppl will choose their ppe at their will . He's an experienced master at his trade and is giving informative advice out to the world. Does every car advert tell you to look left and right before changing lanes. Their is risk in everything, plus glasses steam up and you can't see

[@michaelodonnell3793]

I totally agree with you about the safety glasses It really isn't something you think about And you shouldn't have to wait until you get a drop in the eye But yes some people do wait until that happens I'm afraid The first thing I do when I walk into the room is put on my safety glasses Like you wouldn't think should I put my safety belt on when you get in the car you just automatically do it

[@adrianadios5041]

What's a zombie mix?😅

[@axnax1]

You mention the safety aspect of eye protection. A lot of artex contained asbestos. WEAR A MASK if you're 'scraping it first'.

[@nutzablaze3339]

been drywall'in 47yrs, I've done it all. I been doing ornamental plaster work and some synthetic (ugh) for the last few yrs. I always am teaching, but with you my friend, I am learning. It's great to see a man who is a master at his trade and shows pride in it!

[@allsearpw3829]

Hi ,nice work , a plasterer one could take home to mother , a 3 cup of tea man . Any one for cakes . Well done and no mess .🤔👍👍👍👍👍

[@xxxxDuke]

Brilliant , absolutely beyond my skill but I loved watching it

[@MAGAMAN]

A real man doing real work. Getting rarer every day.

[@noodles8203]

I always add a bit of bonding in skim. Makes a nice fluffy mix, and goes over artex a treat.

[@colinevans7134]

I'm not a plasterer but just love the way this man explains on how to do the job and the best and proper way to do this, good video as usal 😊👍👏

[@Onthetrowel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MrSamuelatkinson1]

Hiya mate great video. I’m 35 and have been plastering for 18 years. Seriously impressed by your tidiness, especially when skimming over artex. 👌

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers for that mate, thank-you

[@malcolmpritchard4882]

That was a great lesson in plastering I’m a joiner who does plasters because l can’t always wait for the plasterer to be available and be fair l quite enjoy it and wanted to get a speed skim so thanks mate

[@Onthetrowel]

Glad to help.

[@jamwri671]

These guys work for their money.

[@antonymcnally1418]

This guy as mastered his craft to perfection. Iv done abit of plastering before but this guy makes me want switch trades. It's good to watch a master at work an iv learned alot off your videos. Keep doin what ya doing an il Keep watching ❤

[@glennstokes4281]

Thanks - new to plastering after having recently completed British Gypsum’s skim course and love your clear, simple (that’s a compliment) approach, advise and lovely calm work. Thanks!

[@pauledwards2063]

Snap ive done it the exact same way for 22 years now works a treat

[@jeffdidntkhs3945]

I’m a decorator, I’m going to start sending your videos to the plasterers down London 😂 I’ve had to skim a lot of work over with filler because of wavy finishes, sand of mixing splatters 🤦‍♂️ this guy not got one drop on the wall! Not many top notch plasterers like this around these days!!

[@denniskeogh3422]

Exactly the same for me, one day they'll have to paint what they've laid.

[@JamesKooper]

First time finding your channel, mint tip applying slightly away from the wall, and touching in with some excess after to keep the walls emaculate. Nice work 👌

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers James. Hope you're subscribed my man 👌👍

[@nathanscott6984]

Just started out myself and starting to work for a plasterer soon. The way you explain the process is brilliant. Cheers Kirk

[@MarcusT86]

Finally just watched mate. Fantastic close up shot testing the plaster for the next stage! Definitely appreciate all those extreme close-ups!

[@Onthetrowel]

It's only because of you that I do it. Thinking about it though, it's a very important bit of the video so I'm glad you made me aware of it

[@MarcusT86]

@@Onthetrowel haha thank you mate. That is kind of you! Hope they’re not too much of a pain in the arse to film 🙈

[@EdithWeston]

What an amazing skill you have, thanks for all the films, love watching them, more to the fact - love watching highly skilled tradepeople, taking time and doing a professional job.

[@martinm2074]

that information about smaller trowel because of pain in wrist, very important to me thanks for that. i learned to skim left hand as i have pain in right one, so now using right hand only sometimes, most of the time i do skim left hand.

[@tonymac7706]

I've been watching your vids and you are a master of your craft, gave loads of tips and made me want to have a go myself, thanks kirk 👍 😊

[@jbclassics]

I learnt to plaster with my dad, he worked as a plasterer in Liverpool as well. Most of the old plasterers knew each other in those days lol. One of the things he used to tell me was as the plaster sets it gets warm and would soften the old artex. Causing it to pull away. He taught me to leave the first coat as long as possible as well. Also quite often he would use a half/half mix bonding and board finish for the first coat. He used to say it would help it stick. With modern plasters I don't think this is always necessary any more but still do it from time to time. Great channel a lot of the things you mention is just like listening to my dad talking about how to do things.

[@Onthetrowel]

Lovely comment, I enjoyed reading that. Cheers mate

[@kevinstevens3495]

Any textured/ artex ceiling Pre 2000, could have Chrysotile Asbestos in the textured ceiling

[@yousafamin3187]

Hi hope all are happy n well. Great vid as usual 👌 I Mix a bit of bonding with multifinish for my first coat. Put it on thick but not too thick. Flatten it with a speedskim both ways & Leave it for no less than 40 mins. On the 40th minute, I put on my second coat & finish off as you usually would. Sealing it a day before helps a lot.

[@Onthetrowel]

Great tip!

[@yousafamin3187]

@@Onthetrowel nice1 Bro 👊🏽💀🖤

[@yousafamin3187]

@On the trowel apparently they call it a " Magic Mix " 🤷🏽 the bonding mixed with the Multi

[@martinramsey114]

You are a true craftsman of your trade. I wish you lived near me in Scotland.

[@SunnyvaleTrailerParkSupervisor]

Where about in Scotland? East coast is full of skimming legends

[@leondmcgrath]

Your an excellent spread! I use a similar technique to straighten stuff but rarely overskim artex due to risk of delamination. I think your edge technique is excellent for cleanliness which is something I have always struggled with, I named myself flick when I was doing bigger stuff but really want to get to dropping nowt so I enjoy the smaller domestic jobs, a lot of my work in my twenties was massive barn conversion stuff so it was more about being able to get it on in one or hang off a tower, the mess often didn't matter

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers Leon. In just working on a quick video for overboarding ceilings. Think you will enjoy it mate

[@southoxfordshirplastering2793]

Another good video mate. I like to mix bonding in to my 1st coat, thickens up your first coast of multi/ board finish so it covers the ceiling without having high spots showing through. Depending on how thick the artex is depends on how much bonding I’ll add. Never had any problems with it. It dose hang around for a while though as it’s a little thicker. Gives you time to prep your next set or have a cuppa 😊

[@Onthetrowel]

Good shout mate, I am going to do a video on this soon, just trying to work my way through the plastering topics in a sort of methodical way. Cheers for your support mate

[@lornahughes9332]

I do the same 2-3 handfuls of bonding

[@craigrollins7734]

I do the same , but when you go over it with multi it goes on really nice

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

How far south do you go mate, I’m from Reading and I’ll go as far north as wallingford. Doesn’t seem to be too many plasterers from Caversham and upwards

[@southoxfordshirplastering2793]

@@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot Hi pal, I’ve done a few jobs in Reading, I’m 10mins away from Wallingford.

[@Tattysnuc]

first time I've found your channel and this was a really good commentary - a lot of what you said rings very true for me. :) I was surprised you didn't prime it with PVA - saved me a step there :)

[@Onthetrowel]

Oh no mate I sealed it with sbr. You can't plaster straight on without a sealer

[@bazlaafpl8077]

Thanks

[@Onthetrowel]

ahhh mate. thank you very much 🙏

[@paultowns9880]

Lovely job Kirk. Superb video as always. Thank you.

[@Onthetrowel]

Very welcome

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

Another great vid. I personally enjoy artex ceilings, I usually do a magic mix first coat, leave it a good 35/40 mins, then whip around with multi and if there’s any left I’ll go back round with a really right pass. Has a few jobs where even when it seems I’ve got the first coat flat, when I flatten the second coat I seem to have bumps and hollows, so now I just generally allow enough for worst case a tight third coat

[@Onthetrowel]

Spot on, nothing wrong with that mate. Hey what's the magic mix??? I'm well intrigued?

[@NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot]

@@Onthetrowel cheers mate nice one. I learned it off KZbin, depending on how bad the artex pattern is, you put some bonding or hardwall in the first coat of multi finish, gives it some body to really get over any reasonable stipples etc. only issue is it takes so long to go off enough to second coat

[@Yorkrenderingspecialists]

That's exactly how I do my edges even with skirtings makes going round edges trowelling up so much more faster 👍

[@nickmedwicz4466]

Best plaster I have ever seen ❤ question how to deal with big hollow's in walls

[@Onthetrowel]

Sbr, bonding, feather edge rule 👌

[@NAFO_Badger_Brigade]

Brilliant!! No more scraping artex off!!

[@gc19901]

it's interesting how i tend to do all my plastering how you do artex, i don't tend to rush my second coat as i don't think it gains me any time rushing it on, it sets when it wants. oh and i love using a refina plaziflex to put on my second coat. thanks for the effort and info

[@scotland2256]

Joiner here no idea why I’m watching this video but I enjoyed it. Young plasterer we had on a kitchen skimmed a ceiling before and when we came in the next morning it was on the floor… Felt sorry for the lad. It must have been painted with that stuff back in the day

[@Onthetrowel]

no doubt mate. anything built before the 60's can potentially have it. anyway doesnt matter what trade you are, if your enjoying the videos then get subscribed mate

[@leightonwatkins7253]

Mate that’s a awesome advice on how to skim artex ceiling

[@davidpinfold7288]

Your a good lad. I look forward to your videos, you never disappoint with top tips coming thick and fast👍

[@Onthetrowel]

Nice one Dave, glad you liked it mate

[@philipdarcy8148]

I feel like id be able for a small patch job plastering if one ever came up,,only thing in i havent seen much of polishing or wet trowling videos and the paint brush for the edge other than that id fancy me self now as D.I.Y PLASTER NOW ,THANKS TO OUR KIRK FROM ROYAL FAMILEY😂❤❤

[@Onthetrowel]

Don't start lurkio 😅🤣🤣

[@qamarramzan5115]

Amazing teacher!

[@grahamsmith7363]

Hi i have just found your videos and have to applaud your excellent service on explaining how to do the jobs ,you make it so easy to follow and the tips you give are great ,so thankyou and keep up the great videos

[@Onthetrowel]

Gray it's a pleasure to have you on board mate. Thanks for the nice comment and if there's anything you ever want to know or want an answer then jus reach out in the comments mate 👍

[@tuurkishman]

Some nice tips ,will try that tomorrow when I do cieling.

[@Onthetrowel]

Let me know how it goes Jose

[@jamesskilton636]

Excellent video mate make it look so easy no stress 😂 💪

[@richard01206]

I’m a diy plaster and have done my own houses, the house I’m in now was artex up stairs. The joists were so up and down, I added a quarter bag of bonding to the first coat to help get over it. Scary when you think of the weight your putting up there when it’s near 8mm thick in places 🙄😂. Your videos are very good mate 👍

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers Richard

[@edsjenk6150]

Thanks to your videos, they have encouraged me to have a go. For my first ceiling I was not very quick applying the first coat and run out of time, so can I pva it and put on the second coat the another day? Cheers

[@johnsuekid]

Simple no fuss plastering. Great channel 👏

[@adzharrold5952]

Ive let my first coat dry for 5 days , going to do the next coat now , hope it will be ok

[@allenmccormack24]

Great tip about the light bulb

[@MarcusT86]

Yesss! Another video. Been waiting for another mate!

[@Onthetrowel]

How are you my mate, as a little surprise I'm going to drop another video in about 30 mins when it'd uploaded. Nice to hear from you Marcus 😀😀

[@MarcusT86]

@@Onthetrowel excellent news buddy! I caught your video as it had uploaded 34 seconds ago… I feel like a stalker now 🤣

[@Onthetrowel]

@Marcus 🤣🤣 If I had 10,000 Marcus's I could hang the trowel up and be a full time youtuber 🤣

[@MarcusT86]

@@Onthetrowel You'll definitely get there buddy!

[@Onthetrowel]

@Marcus cheers mate. To be honest, I just enjoy making the video's. My little way of making sure I'm around for a long time 🤣

[@the7thofengland135]

Once I’ve second coated it I run a flexy trowel over it absolute game changer I find It’s also my go to trowl when easi filling that apart I’m a marshal man I’m defo gonna invest in a extension pole for my speed skim saves getting the stilts out till the final trowl

[@fuzzylumpkins6034]

I feel a silly goose now. I scraped off the artex or just put new plaster boards up in my entire home. The artex was thick and awful. Never once thought I could skim over it for fear of it dropping af in clumps. Good game sir

[@Laurie-u8g]

Same as I do mine. Leave that first coat to pull right in then second coat easy.

[@ashleyhorgan105]

I wish this video was a couple days earlier I had a nightmare of a ceiling the other day artex wise This really could of come in handy 😂

[@Onthetrowel]

Always the way Ash

[@azharlyaree1635]

Great tip to keep edges clean 👌 thanks

[@Onthetrowel]

No problem mate

[@advent3774]

I have always used PVA , mixed 3 Parts water to 1 part PVA , I roller on and brush on ( edges ) then, go and mix multi - finish plaster, then if dried out ei: very hot weather I give a second coat of PVA. before starting the first coat of plaster , as the ceiling should feel tacky/sticky before starting. As most ceilings are white I find it helpful to add a small amount of dye to the 3 to 1 mix of water and PVA , I use the red or blue chalk from Toolstation/ Screwfix for use with a chalk line , or any mortar dye ,just stir in , just add a little at a time , don’t overdo it !!! It’s only so you can easily see where you applied the PVA , When I did all my house I gave the ceilings a coat of 3 to 1 PVA the night before , and one in the morning before skimming, never had any problems, Lounge -diner has been done 27 years now and still perfect . Hope this helps 👍

[@derekhealey4743]

Brilliant lesson 👍

[@spraya-ltd]

Yes This Def was the answer for me today. Celling was so big I did not need half time added either. Great advice Kirk. Thanks for Email reply too. Respect 👊😎👊 Paul (Spraya)

[@Onthetrowel]

Pleasure mate Take care 🙂👍

[@RC-oi1gg]

What speedskim would you recommend for someone who is a novice at plastering. There a number of speedskims (flexible,semi flexible etc). Many thanks.

[@donatoferioli7426]

I now always use Crown Xp3 primer to seal bad ceilings the day before to stop delamination. Would be interesting to see how SBR compares.

[@jimmysbuildingservices7288]

Gonna give this a go on Monday I've got a 4 bag ceiling on artex so let's hope I'm up to it. might have to get myself a speedskim. Spot on video again bud and all my joints are shot just have a few rums when I'm home sorts them out

[@Onthetrowel]

I know the feeling mate. There's a link for same speedskim as mine in the description. What rum do you drink?

[@jimmysbuildingservices7288]

@@Onthetrowel dead man's finger or kraken or what the other half as bought for me. Will have a look at the speedskim just a bit stuck in my ways I was taught with a solid trowel but I need to start entering the new age. Great video again

[@kendodd8734]

Great vid super tidy on the wall ceiling junction aswell I do wonder though how many people out there watch a professional spread like u ,Alex Morley or blain grey ( and u guys r skilled tradesmen) and think wow that looks easy I could do that and get themselves in to a right old state cos u guys do make it look easy but as I know it rearly isn’t it’s almost an art than a trade to do fine plastering

[@iby988]

Is it better to use a metal wire brush to remove the paint and give the plaster something to bond to

[@Onthetrowel]

Only if the paint is flaking off. Otherwise the sealer does the job

[@markmcgrath4853]

very good work kirk ! the speedskim looks a great bit of kit !

[@Onthetrowel]

It's a great bit of kit mate. I've popped a link to it in the description aswell if anyone wants one

[@domsanghera484]

Great videos, Always learn something new from them.

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers Dom 👍

[@orientdude]

THanks great video! - Is it a must to apply a layer of PVA for the finishing plaster to bond properly? Thanks.

[@Daleakefford]

Again Kirk, another great video. Loving the little tips you keep throwing in. This is exactly how my artex ceilings are done. Not cuz I know what you know, but rather than I'm not on the trowel daily and a lot slower putting on so it picks up a lot more by the time I 2nd coat 🤣. Be good to see a larger ceiling filmed and how to do a rolling set or just to be able to manage timing a little more for us slower plasterers/ multi's.

[@Onthetrowel]

Leave it with me Dale. I'll get one sorted 👍

[@winstonsmith3690]

So satisfying!

[@aderobbo]

Another great video Kirk

[@antonyharding5360]

You are the man ....

[@preparethebull]

How do you PVA without getting it down the walls? New to this!

[@roostercogburn9097]

Hi m8, just watched thia video. Spotless work! How long do you leave bewtween mixing up the first coat and mixing up the second coat? Cheers

[@cloudyeastside]

Got an artex ceiling to do, will try this out!

[@Onthetrowel]

Let me know how you get on mate

[@cloudyeastside]

Worked like a dream mate! Spot on advice 👍🏼

[@Onthetrowel]

@@cloudyeastside nice one mate

[@keithbailey293]

Great video Kirk mate you made it look easy

[@mickeyyoung9233]

Excellent tutorial and a sub for being just so likeable 😆

[@Onthetrowel]

🤣🤣 Cheers mickey

[@ExploringWales]

Enjoying your videos, I started my career in plastering 8 years ago and I've learnt more in the last 2 days watching you than I have for a while, cheers for the tips. 👍

[@Onthetrowel]

My pleasure mate. I have a private group. I show lads how to get loads of work and earn more money. If your interested then find me on tiktok and watch some of my latest videos mate

[@TheSpringdaddy]

Can you please tell me what a reasonable “Day rate” is for a plasterers? (excluding materials)

[@garyl5128]

Did you SBR or PVA the ceiling first, and was your first coat multi finish or bonding? I'm very much a novice with some DIY plastering experience, and have a very poor polyripple ceiling in my kitchen (with lots of plasterboard dips that need filling in too) which I'd like to attempt, so just looking at various videos for some help in advance.

[@pauloantao2027]

Thanks, you gave me a good idea

[@martatofield]

Amazing tips! But What do I do if my ceiling was painted over artex that was covered with lime wash before? How should I prepare the ceiling? With PVA bonding? What's your tip? Thank you!

[@Onthetrowel]

You need to scrape artex off and get down to the limewash and stabilise it with a stabilising solution. Or just overboard the ceiling mate

[@martatofield]

@@Onthetrowel I just watched your video 'LIME WASH PAINT plastering HELL'.... Hmmm... I'll double double check my ceiling after seeing your video, I might have a lucky escape with just artex asbestos ceiling that is just ugly... the surface is quite smooth with them rainbow patterns haha I appreciate for your time to reply :) Thank you

[@georgehoward4400]

Great video! Really learnt a lot from this one!!!

[@davejohnson9499]

Great video. Im a diy plasterer fixing up my own house and this video and you tips really help. Just 1 question, do you pva or sbr the ceiling first? Many thanks.

[@Onthetrowel]

Yes mate, definitely. And personally I always use sbr. I use it neat

[@RYAN8909able]

Well done Kirky, nice one as always. Your side kick is getting better with the camera. Zooming in on the right stuff now haha. Pity he breaks speedskims though

[@Onthetrowel]

Ha cheers Ry. Oh he loves it, holds my phone to film me but got his phone in the other hand checking his Instagram messages 🙈🤣

[@scotthudson21]

Great easy to follow video mate, what about artex in an ensuite bathroom only small area probably 1.5m x 2m and is their anything that you would recommend to remove spots of mould first

[@Onthetrowel]

Just check how well the artex is stuck on mate. Don't worry about the mould spots, wipe them off first and skim it. Once it's plastered in ut will die because it needs air

[@Jamescarr14]

Great video thanks! What pva mix did you use and did you pva the day before?

[@robmueller8143]

Hi, are you not supposed to put PVA coat on first , or did I missed that bit?thanks

[@ibrehamnasr7675]

Do you add halftime on the 2nd round? Thanks

[@jennifermedia6288]

What about artex in Victorian properties. Any asbestos or lime issues. Shouldn’t it be taken down?

[@martynholder1971]

Good job, l need to plaster my ceilings but although l have plastered ceilings in my past l have 2 large ceilings that when my house was artexed it looks very bad my lounge you can see were the boards join and thay are in line so you can see them, ceiling in my bedroom it looks as if they cut out a large section to get up in the loft this ceiling is as bad as it gets with what looks like nail heads that were not hit in so l have lots of lumps all over the ceiling plus the board joins were they never smoothed out the tapes. before l retiered l was a finishing foreman for 30 years

[@davidlett8122]

Did you seal (PVA) over the artex before plastering? I don't remember hearing you say anything, because if not, there's another reason why ceilings com down.

[@Onthetrowel]

I use SBR mate

[@paulrayner9652]

Artex can contain asbestos , by skimming over it you are hiding it potentially from someone in the future, therefore over boarding is a better option , ive also found cracks you might not spot until after its been skimmed , another good reason for overboarding

[@Onthetrowel]

Think if your overbearing it then your still hiding the artex mate

[@TheRogerie]

@@Onthetrowel and putting more weight on the joists

[@william6453]

Should i blue grit my artex ceiling?

[@TheJewellian]

if you were in London I would employ you to do the whole of my new house renovation!

[@garytaylor1929]

Do you have to pva over artex first