Why Sponge Float Plastering?? Benefits and How To Do It CORRECTLY!

If you want to learn the basics to plastering and learn how to plaster your own walls then join The Plastering For Beginners welcome Course. It's a free plastering course ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to plaster: plasterersblue...
In this video, we'll outline the main reasons why you'd ever try Sponge Float Plastering. And despite it being quite controversial, Sponge Float Plastering is now becoming a massive thing in the plastering world.
One of the main reasons I reverted back to Sponge Floating is because the plaster I use, (British Gypsum Multi-Finish), has been quite hard to work with. It's been drying faster than usual, it's been blistering and it's been quite grainy.
But the best thing about Sponge Float plastering is that it tackles these issues HEAD ON!
So in this video, I'll show you the benefits and I'll show you the full process on how to do it effectively! So make sure you watch it fully!
If you liked this video please like and subscribe. And also feel free to leave a comment - we'd love to hear from you. For more information on plastering visit our website at:
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Thanks for watching.
I'll see you at the next one.
Cheers.
Blaine Gray
Plastering For Beginners

[@TonyG-iu4td]

Been a plasterer for 36 yrs now. Never used the sponge float till I saw UR Vid. Quite impressed with the results. Thank you 👍. The float I initially bought was probably too course, and held grit balls within the texture which caused a problem! I have now bought a more smoother float. Hoping to give it a try this week. I have a City in Guilds trained within the Southampton Uni 1984. We were trained to use a render float all those years ago but most of us didn't bother once out on site. I wud say to all the old school guys like me; Just give it a go? We should never think we are beyond learning! 😉

[@sturmhalo]

Did my first ever tiny bit of plastering today. Little bit above the bathroom door and down the side on the end of the wall. Almost lost my nerve when I wasn't entirely happy with the second coat but the sponge float worked like magic even if I did go a little early doors with it. Once it started to take up and I got into all the troweling it was great. Really happy with the end result. Nice and smooth although I'll see when it's dry and I'm sure I'll be overly critical when I mist it ready for painting. Personally I think it looks better than the plastering we paid to have done and I made a lot less mess. Got more little bits to do tomorrow and then onto some proper sized walls. Couldn't have had such an encouraging first result without your videos Blaine.

[@Plastermanandy]

Great video , I’ve been plastering for over 40 years , try using board finish over bonded walls after PVA, we use to scour our walls with a small float after the second coat which brings the water out of it , sometimes we never use PVA we just dampen the walls with water if using multi, keep up the good work 👍

[@MrGofarkyself]

Never thought I’d find a sub full of British plasterers agreeing with each other!

[@andytaylor9458]

Hello blane I've been a plasterer for 30 years I've enjoyed watching ur videos as u know our trade is a journey everyday is a school day if u stop learning ur gonna be left behind I love learning new things I saw u talking about blistering when setting bonding my opinion on that is when going on to dry undercoat plaster of any kind the blister is caused by air trying to escape from the dry plaster even after pva I prefer to set the work same day as it is holding plenty of water but u have to wait for the full set time to early the heat of the set will give u rhe same blister problem keep up the good work

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Thank you mate! It's great to hear from an experienced spread like yourself so thank you. That makes sense about the Bonding - I try and set all my work the same day because I also think it reacts better that way. If I do it a day later then I try and let the first coat sink in a bit longer - I find it holds the blistering back but who knows! Thank you for the comment and thanks for your insights! I really appreciate...all the best 👍

[@MrSacko1986]

Great videos and info. I’ve done 3 rooms so far, definitely getting better with practise. I’m still not 100% with rough timings. I know it varies depending on the substrate, temp etc; but just a rough idea would be appreciated. 1 - First coat on 2 - Speedskim, followed by some quick hole filling etc 3 - Straight on with the second coat 4 - Speedskim, followed by some quick hole/gap filling 5 - Wait 20 minutes 6 - Sponge float 7 - Wait 5 minutes 8 - Trowel with Superflex 9 - Wait 30 minutes 10 - Trowel with Superflex 11 - Wait 30 minutes - cross trowel

[@paulbryan5993]

Great video as per the norm, just finished using multi finish, why's it drying so fast? 😱 Went back to trowel lines out, virtually dry

[@spread7953]

To stop getting blisters the multi needs to be on the wetter side and is essential to get the first pass on as tight as possible so you are only filling up the low spots of the bonding. Once it’s picked up go over it again like you normally would on your first coat. This will stop any blisters/air bubbles.

[@john-andrewthomson1151]

I dont know ive just do a job and had a fue bags where i thought id over mixed them, 1 of the bags you could see the bubbles coming of the trowel, maybe theres something in the water covid conspiracy lol

[@DC-rs6bi]

Great vid mate, I'm a seasoned DIY guy building a pool in my garden I'm finishing the pool with marblite ( have used gypsum not this stuff before😄)I was going to sponge and speed float finish it as well.nice to see a professional plasterer point of view and technique used, the way I see it the sponge seals off all the gaps and bubbles in plaster as well as a nice even finish ,I've also got to acid wash and pressure wash when dry 🤞

[@jslammon]

Great video. I find there’s no one way of sponge skimming. I’ve tried countless different ways now. Plastic after sponge seems for now anyway to be the best way but it is drying fast. No time for a break till it’s finished anymore. Temperamental to say the least.

[@haramsbae1507]

No break, surely that's better?? Much quicker as no standing round with your thumb up your arse

[@Lemon-squeezer]

I had a over skim job last month 5 bags of multi the ceiling went on fine no problems,I put on all the walls in one hit layed on fine flattened in fine soon as it was time for the first wet trowel the plaster was dragging and tearing first time it's happened to me in 18 years I had to just wet the trowel to get over the walls I let it pick up even more and I basically had to lash water on the walls and use a mediflex to finish it my Mt was still dragging it got intouch with bg sent them a sample for testing and said it was a faulty batch bloody crazy

[@George-of8ib]

If you’re ever getting a problem with blisters use a felt brush for the final trowel. Mate they are unreal for getting out blisters. They take as much water as they give and I always find that blisters come from too much water. Trowel the bonding areas with as little water as possible. An old trick of the trade we always used to use was newspaper. Sounds stupid but if you’re towards the end of the set and you still have blistering patches get some newspaper. Lightly push on a page or two over the areas just with your hand (try to make sure there are no creases) leave for five minutes to draw out excess water then give a final dry trowel and they will be gone. Trust me it works. You will get some odd looks from customers or other trades though haha

[@philsavage858]

Iam a Novice Brilliant tutorial refina sponge float technique works a treat 👌 thanks again 😀

[@paulcarroll4398]

Hi Blaine loving you videos mate,done the sponge float plastering myself,had a few walls where the sponge has got me out of some sticky situations where it's pulled in to quick,love the finish afterwards,I also have had the problem with blistering always over bonding,I have a question for you,say you had a really big ceiling on the go how would you tackle it regarding sponge floating,would you sponge float half of would you sponge float the full hit the reason if it went on you you could end up with sponge marks ??

[@michaelhoodleeder]

Are you sure you need to use PVA. I was told you can go straight over the bonding coat as soon as it's firmed up. Just like you don't need to use PVA between each coat of multifinish . I have never used PVA and I'm not aware of any problems. My understanding is you only use PVA if the bonding coat has completely dried out. If you are going over the bonding straight away it should not be necessary. Anyone know for sure on this. . ?

[@kophotography895]

PVA if dry or if humidity is drying out to quick

[@Bish186]

Glad to see that even someone as skilled as you gets blistering, i had to redo two walls and two reveals last week due to blistering, really knocked my confidence felt like i was just doing a poor job. Never tried sponge flot on plaster will give it a go

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Mate, it happens to everyone. Don't get disheartened! The sponge float sorts it right out pal 👍

[@NoreastWhips]

Blaine, thanks for all your videos. Here's my main question: why bother to flatten a second time when you're just going to sponge it? Can't you just sponge it after you apply the second coat? What is the actual flattening of the second coat doing if you're just going to sponge it after? Thanks for your vids, I do appreciate your awesome content. Steve H., USA

[@dillyhill2127]

The price work boys dont flatten it

[@RichardHaskins]

Regarding bubbling. I was watching another chap who said that bonding gives off gas as it sets, so you need to let bonding completely dry before skimming?

[@davidcurtis7705]

If your getting blisters let the first coat dry more before you get the second on

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Cheers pal 👍

[@MrBod1975]

I need to get some of your plaster, the multi I’ve been using takes forever to go off plus hardwall used to set with in a couple of hours now you have to lay it on the day before to skim I think bg have completely messed up there plaster.......years ago I would only use a marshaltown trowel to get a perfect finish now I have to carry 10 different trowels to get any finish 😕

[@villaman2261]

On different types of back grounds on one wall we use plastering bonding agent , something like blue grit or the green bostik which imo the best one 👍🏻

[@garystubley6723]

The reason you get blebs (air bubbles) is when you apply a scratch coat of finish it traps air in between the bonding and finish the solution is trowel up the bonding smooth then PVA then skim it

[@davidgoodwin6191]

My main man, brilliant video, a massive thank you 👏 👏 👏

[@ianthompson9058]

Glad you put this. Been driving us mad we thought we were loosing it!

[@lloydbayliss4921]

I’m finding the plaster is the same couldn’t work out what I was doing wrong glad someone else is having same problem not just me

[@BigSteveFairchild]

I’ve been struggling lately with the multi finish going off way to quick

[@barryduncan]

Hi Blaine you should think yourself lucky to have a choice of plasters here in Australia there is only 1for every surface ,years ago plasterers used to use a cross grain wood float for flatterning out I wonder what the difference would be also you cannot buy the speed skim over hear and Derby are very hard to get hold

[@xyy8774]

Thanks for sharing. I need to finish the bottom of a large bulkhead. Spraying is not practical. What is an alternative to wet the plaster. Thanks.

[@leecann9936]

Good vid! My question is unrelated ..BUT how the hell does your van stay like that? Amazing!

[@andreaspantelli3599]

Mate if you are getting blisters when going over bonding it’s probably because your not closing up the bonding coat and leaving it open to air pockets so when you skim it air get caught in between and causes blisters. Smooth of the bonding coat to a certain extent and that will solve your blistering problem.

[@tough2lie382]

Sand and gypsum are finite resources. I've noticed in recent years it's harder to get good plastering sand in ireland. The quality of skim is gone to hell. It's much harder to get a good finish Inside or outside now. Recently I skimmed a large room and sponged one wall, and not the others just to make a comparison. The sponged wall was a bit better (maybe). You'd have to be a plasterer to even notice. Don't know if sponging is worth the hassle.

[@pcno2832]

I was wondering about that aspect of the problem. Here is the USA, slag and ash from coal-fired power plants is refined into synthetic gypsum, and that supply is being slowly cut off as the use of coal declines. Of course, you can make wallboard from a lot of things, including clay, but it's probably much harder to make substitutions for plasters that have been hand troweled and cured using techniques that have evolved over centuries.

[@anthonywilliams2764]

I’m going to try , nearly lost 4 artex ceilings yesterday because it went off super quick , did 2 thick coats and nearly killed us , I imagine this sponging takes off a lot of pressure as it will keep it wet

[@Darrenboro]

Been sponging for the last 10-15 years. I cant think of anyone who doesn't use them now. I have found the refina sponges don't clog up as much as some .

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

It's a good system matey! Great hearing from you pal 👍

[@pepperday100]

iv tried it a few times now and think its good if your throwing on a 3 - 4 bag set but still cant beat the traditional way

[@dillyhill2127]

We were the first to use multi finish when it first came out and to this day I dont rate it I always use board finish you get a much better finish with it,multi stays greasy in a cold room although you can get additives to speed up the setting time

[@stevenmitchell7332]

When you consider how much Multi is sold, I'd say it's popular. There must be something wrong with your technique.

[@gideonhitchin1702]

When I use the sponge I sponge and trowel as I go, like 1sq metre sponge, quickly trowel then next metre. Rather than sponging whole wall. Seems to work pretty well. No chance of sponge lines drying! Great vids. Love to see some tricky jobs caught on camera like the ones you speak about in this vid!

[@arplastering]

I've had no problems with multi recently but on the bonding issue with bubbling I only pva once on bonding I find the 2 coats of pva is too much and it sits on the top which causes the bubbling with one coat of pva I never have a problem just a thought if anyone wants to try it out Cheers

[@robertkustos2931]

Thanks , I'll try that next time . 👍

[@timdriscoll9708]

Hi Blaine like your videos a lot been plastering a long time the Irish boys who taught me plastering used to trowel float trowel the finish which watching you with the sponge 🧽 is a similar process never done the sponge but I do like the final trowel with the plastic trowel i saw you do nice one keep your trowel flat timmy Driscoll 😉

[@IANNEIL77]

Plastering over wet PVA can cause blistering sometimes. Or having 2 doors open with a breeze blowing through the building can trap air under the plaster

[@darrenquarterman2611]

Love the bonding bubbles comments had this all my life

[@stephenthomond3801]

So glad it's not just me that's had blistering🙄 been skimming on and off for years sponged last two lids much easier on the elbows👍 no pipes and cables hanging in the way😂 nice video mate awesome tips for people trying it out

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Haha it happens to everyone!! That's good to hear pal - it definately takes the pressure out of plastering. Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it 👍

[@Ann-RoseP-jt1cg]

Thanks for sharing your experience and insights. I am plastering a broad bulkhead of 2’ wide. Spraying to its bottom doesn’t seem possible. Can you share an alternative to wet the area.

[@offcuts4146]

Has something changed with the plaster since lockdown as i watched another video the other day and that plasterer said quality seems to have decreased

[@robertkustos2931]

I'm not a plasterer , but I've had a go on my house .. started off mix was too dry , what a cock up that was , luckily I was tileing the wall. . Got better as I went along . . Just finished my back porch 8×8 . . BUT on one wall I used a bonding coat to bring the wall out which was a brick wall , it was this wall that the plaster bubbled and blistered . . I thought what the hell have I done wrong . . So maybe could it have been the materials ?

[@taffy9966]

Bought a ram sponge float from travis yesterday. Not like other sponges iv used very tight and hard pulled plaster straight off the walls any ideas why?

[@paulneale3511]

Awsome vid. If your sponge ever gets clogged. Warm water and washing up liquid.foam ths spone up and rinse..thank me later

[@LS-eu7cs]

Couldn't agree more mate, terrible stuff to work with. Been working for a builder the last few years using Carlite which is a pleasure to work with amazing stuff.. But he's switching to multi finish for the next job because its cheaper. 7 apartments, dreading it. The sponge float is the only option for leaving a good job with it. Great channel love the content you are putting out! Love from Belfast!

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Mate...I really want to try this Carlite Finish. I've heard great things about it - I just struggle to get it here in Hastings pal. Thank you for your kind words mate. Thanks for watching 👍

[@chris1232123]

I don't understand what the sponge is doing...you got the plaster nice and smooth but then the sponge made it bumpy again?

[@nobbystyles4807]

i bought a refina sponge float and the sponge came off the float after a couple of uses. i had to use carpet adhesive to stick it back on.

[@phillipgregson7035]

Hi very nices job with the spong floating mate and the end that old refina plazflex with thicker sponge or new ones out now

[@jamiedavies8795]

Ive been plastering for 17 years now and I’ve tried spongefloat plastering but never really got on with it but after watching your last video I thought I’d give it another go, it’s my third day now and I have to say I’m amazed by the results , the finish is amazing and seems to dry out as 1he colour thanks for the tips Blaine 👍🏼

[@carldriscoll6736]

After flatten with the speedskim on the second coat how long do you wait before applying the water and start to sponge ? Thx

[@victorgonzalez9619]

Tengo duda como mezclo el structu lite para paredes de cemento y darle ese brillo a la pared necesito si puedes hagas un video sobre eso gracias 🙏

[@simonineile8085]

always have a sponge ready for over skims , what time frame from st to steel not got an st so might get one looks alot easyer to not miss any lines from sponge. atb simon

[@AO-LetsGo-]

Did a bit of research on the sponge and I admit it leaves a lovely finish bit I’ve heard it weakens the plaster so I stopped doing it. What are your thoughts on it weakening the finish?

[@dannyxbobx7576]

It is because you put your second coat on too early also if It does bubble poke a hole in the bubble and leave it come to it at a later stage

[@hudds90]

Would it not ve better to use a felt brush when trowelling

[@svensvenson8896]

You should only one coat on board fill out beads an joins first, overskim 2 coat always, sponge method just all round easier an better finish that the older way& aswell you should never really use spatulars or speedskims should always use a normal trowel

[@deanetheridge4259]

Bonding always blisters when it’s too green when applying the top coat .

[@SergejGrabun]

How long are you waiting between coats 1 and 2?

[@petermaidment1175]

I am a diyer and have been using the sponge for a little while and the Spat is great. One question, i have just got some plasterboard for my next project, i purchased on line and chose tapered edge by mistake, do i need to fill the taper before skimming the, what other difference does it make? Thanks for your very informative videos.

[@manonapanP]

Always scrim and fill for tapered edge

[@scroatymcscroatbottom8596]

Cut the music @14:48 please ... cant hear your commentary over it. Ta.

[@liquidsnake6879]

The big question i always have with sponging is just how much force are you supposed to put behind it, i'd guess not much but i've already ruined one wall by applying too much force to it instead of just making it glide

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Not a lot of force is needed mate. As long as there’s enough moisture on the plaster then the float should just glide though 👍

[@gazdavies7486]

How wet does the sponge need to be to start sponge floating? Soaked or slightly damp? Thanks

[@robertkustos2931]

I'm not a plasterer ( done bits at home ) but slightly damp I would say . If it was soaked the water would flow down the wall and your not completing the drying cycle between coats , you'll be forever trowelling wet plaster around , me thinks 🤔

[@Tayplayzz]

Just seems like your overcomplicating skimming. I'd love to see a video or half sponge half traditional. I'd out money on the Non sponged would be just as good if not better. Also you should try using hardwall toughcoat or browning if your desperate to have to skim it same day. Understand you can get it on massively thick in one go but you'll not have problems of blisters lol

[@brimplas1]

Love sponge floating, but not in winter as its bloody cold on thr fingers washing it.... Top vid as always Blaine.... 👍

[@ianjasper5343]

Tried sponge floating today for first time - seemed to drag alot of plaster off the ceiling, is this normal? Wet ceiling and soaked sponge beforehand

[@dillyhill2127]

A super flex trowel goes well with sponge floating👍

[@bernardscott1783]

Bonding never blisters when you skim it same day, been doing it for years and never have problems. Problems come with day after skimming bonding.

[@DC-rs6bi]

And the problem with your plaster...probably been sitting in storage all lock down , plaster does have a sell by date👍I used to work in builder's yard and we used to get complaints similar every now and then and the batches were out of date 👍

[@neilmunro7431]

No doubt u get the same bubbles when skimming over blue grit?

[@angusmcleod995]

Hey blaine... how long would you wait for the second coat after speedskimming the first..? or anyone else for that mattter if Blaine isnt around.. love the videos btw

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I just apply the second coat as soon as I've Speedskimed pal - there's no need to wait. To get it on ha! Hope this helps my friend!

[@angusmcleod995]

@@PlasteringForBeginners that’s great mate and then after second speedskim wait till it’s started to pull in before first marshalltown trowel? I’m moving away from sponge/ nela supaflex reliance. Although I’m plastering a partly bonded wall on Tuesday so may use sponge float for that. Your videos have been life changing btw Blaine. Thank you so much. Loving speedskim and trying to get a load faster!!

[@gavinfitton6111]

Is hardwall used on the 2nd coat? Or is multi finish? Thanks

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

All Multi Finish used in this video pal 👍

[@jamesmeakin9118]

Was using my refina medium sponge float for the first time ever, but forgot to wash it out straight after using it. I've only just bought it. But now there's hard bit of plaster stuck in it. Please don't tell me this is knackered now? as Ive only just spent money on it.

[@dillyhill2127]

Its knackered james!😖

[@richardperry3020]

Soak in hot water lots of washing up liquid 24 hour ,worked for me bu suppose how bad it is

[@mel-3622]

I noticed that I was getting blistering in my walls when toweling up using multifinish but they seemed to be mostly in the last part of the wall that I had plastered, once I only troweled half the wall and left the other to go off a while longer it seemed to reduce the blisters, great video and thanks for the helpful tips

[@number1pappy]

When you say "plaster" ,do you mean actual "plaster of paris" or do you mean "drywall mud" (gypsum)????

[@funkeybikemonkey]

Can you use SBR instead of PVA?

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

You can but it’s messy to work with and it more expensive. It kills the suction but it isn’t water soluble which doesn’t help so PVA is probably better to be fair.

[@martinkinnaird4636]

You should use a flexible trowel after the speedskim

[@stevenmitchell7332]

No, the surfaces will be ripped.

[@ValorousDefined]

A bad workman blames his materials?? Just a joke, good video, very informative, shortage of plasterboard now? When will it end?

[@Maisie.walker]

Do you ever use blue grit i stead of pva?

[@OGDadAverage]

Blue grit is horrible . Use pink grit by Betokontakt

[@malcolmwootton2815]

Hi Blane, great video. Is that the same mix you’re putting the second coat on?

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

Yeah that's the one mate - just testing new methods and it seems to be working using the same mix at the moment pal 👍

[@j.o5731]

I tend to use same mix where I can never really made a difference to making up a fresh one for me but each to there own

[@kophotography895]

I used Sponge float again today on bubbling wall, boom job done... happy days

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

That's great to hear pal!! Great stuff 👍

[@Penitrator5000]

If it's blistering it's timing. Set it the same day as it should be. Use a bit of cement in it.

[@jewsh519]

Can i make a speed skimmer that shit is expensive asf lol and a 14" trowel leaves too many lines

[@OGDadAverage]

Use 18 inch

[@watersareblue5473]

Im not sure whats going on with your Bonding, it seems like you have a worse case than Ive seen, could be something else. But a good tip to stop the blistering is let the bottom coat go off more than usual before the 2nd coat, Let the bottom coat go and trowel out the blisters then 2nd. you prob already did it.

[@iplastercambridge3766]

I only ever sponge when one coating... As you correctly said in previous videos when flattening after sponging you’re effectively creating a second coat (spreading the grain rather than taking it off). Can’t find the logic in sponging when applying two coats...

[@ljones396]

Man I'm so glad Im not the only one with the blistering. I like bonding, nice to work with, straightens off nicely, but from thereon after its a pigging nightmare. Also I find Multi comes in two guises, orange bags / batches are much better than the orangey/maroon batches. There's always a difference, strange. Llyr

[@roberttaylor6577]

The Shining !

[@everythingabouteverything4468]

what would you charge a customer to do a room like this,

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I don't talk about prices online mate because every area has a totally different rate for plastering. It's hard to say an average price when everywhere is so different!

[@seanlardner8572]

Your on it to early let the first almost go then second coat no more blisters

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

👍👍

[@TheWully09]

I personally prefer board finish on bonding

[@Dannys199]

A few handfulls of skim in ur bonding will stop that blistering

[@lcocum]

Don't pva bonding

[@allanwhyte9327]

Use febond blue grit and not pva. My tip

[@jamieosullivan6752]

Spend the extra money on a better grit, my tip to you👍

[@oldboy5001]

Good stuff but takes a long time to dry if I'm not mistaken?

[@danielbathrooms3595]

am i right in thinking that the sponge float goes between stage 4 and 5 of the blueprint cheat sheet? Or is it instead of stage 6?? Cheers for another great video Blaine, will be giving this a go.

[@petespencer5260]

2nd coat on, lay it down, sponge, trowel out (flexi for me personally), polish.

[@Scribe3168]

@@petespencer5260 what part of Poland you from?

[@michaelburns5967]

How big is the gauge that you are doing?

[@chchedda]

Good video pal, only thing I find with sponge float it it takes alot longer but is a better finish 👍

[@spks-nj7kl]

I will be giving this a go. Mine won't be as good as yours though!

[@Danny-ql2ep]

Mix me bonding with skim now stops all that Michael bubbles

[@PlasteringForBeginners]

I’ll give that a go...cheers pal!!

[@BiodunOnipede]

I liked this video before i watched it

[@allenmccormack24]

Your looking stressed pal...stick to what you know.Great video and always