You Can Skim a Wall | DIY Plastering

The Ultimate Plastering Tutorial.
I genuinely want to help you to learn to plaster, watch this video, and others to fully understand. We were all beginners once.
Plastering is a skill you can learn by watching others and practicing yourself.
I really hope you enjoy it.
I'm doing my best to make content that can genuinely help you, it's took me 20+ years to master my craft and I want to help others as much as I can.
If you appreciate what I'm doing and you understand how much work goes into editing and creating these videos and you would like to show your appreciation then I will happily have a nice cold beer.
you can easily send me a drink with this link...
www.buymeacoff...
*I have genuinely been overwhelmed with the support that I have received so I just wanted to let you all know, every penny will go towards buying a better camera and microphone so that I can improve the quality of these videos for you.
thank you so so much.

[@dash8dave476]

Thanks Mate .I'm watching and learning.

[@jonlester5027]

You should really consider tutoring at a college for your retirement years mate….this knowledge is priceless….. I’ve done a quick course on skimming and it was helpful to go with my profession as a decorator….. but if I were to go full time plastering this stuff really helps, keep up the good work buddy and keep banging these vids out !! Cheers Jon

[@sebastianz.3256]

I'll tell you what, in the next future, the machines will do this job, only the pheasants will do this beautiful technique, the robots will do harder jobs and we'll be 6months /year in holiday...hopefully 😊

[@JoshdeSylva]

​@sebastianz.3256 I really doubt we'll ever see pheasants doing this, how would they hold the tools? 😂

[@qamarramzan5115]

@@JoshdeSylva and all those feathers will play havoc with the smooth finish

[@stevenclark1973]

Make it look so easy! 🥵 Tried my first wall today, started off getting the mix too wet so it was sliding off the Hawk. Not sure if that was because I put too much water spray on the Hawk first or if the mix was just too wet. I guess I was scared of it going off too quick if it was a thicker mix. I was plastering over a wall that had had chucks out of it, mixture of old plaster, bonding of some sort and maybe cement. Found it all really hard and messy! Little chucks of old wall finding it's way onto the trowel. I was also struggling to see the best way to get it off the board onto the trowel!. Beginners error after watching your video. Maybe I never attempted to use the board to do that because the mix was too wet!? So many skills involved in this job while the clock is ticking. Big respect to you guys who make this look easy!

[@konstantine381]

King of plastering top man 💪

[@markashby2622]

Superb tutorial mate. People like you make the world a better place lad, be sure of that.

[@globalital]

Great video mate,and your a great teacher,fair play to you,thank u,best plastering channel for me

[@multipack2709]

That must be the cleanest plasterer’s radio there’s ever been!

[@b088y.s9]

Excellent tutorial Been decorating an skimming for years and now entering the plastering world I realise that this job requires a lot of skill! You make this job look easy fella! Notes taken and tomorrow Il put this to the test. Thanks for uploading

[@danieljones9909]

Your videos are incredibly useful. My retirement project is renovating an old house, doing a lot of the work myself. Plasterers are hard to find in France so your demonstrations, tips and insights are vital to producing a good job. One wall down, 10 to go.

[@lluke18]

I’m not even a plaster and addicted to your personality so helpful

[@franciskoomson7312]

This is plastering made easy, thank you very much. You are a good teacher.

[@Onthetrowel]

Thanks very much 🙂

[@dannyandrews8930]

Thank you so much for this video, I'm sitting here now absolutely covered in Plaster almost in tears because it all went wrong. After watching this video twice, I have done another wall and it is so much better, I just need to do the first wall again. My god I should have hired a plasterer! You and your colleagues are amazing and deserve all the credit and money in the world. I will now buy you a 🍺 thank you so much.

[@Onthetrowel]

Glad it helped mate

[@semprelazio8864]

​​@@Onthetrowelbristles coming off the brush. Use it in paint. Paint will gather in the stock ferris and solidify the ends together help stop falling out. So I heard maybe not practical with a big slusher to paint with it but a 4, 5 inch you could. If that actually helps then in theory squirting SBR down into the ferris would probably work as well. If it even helps idk

[@basadijabbie1282]

I’m a new plastering but I learned more from you honestly thanks for that much love ❤❤

[@pratiknaikedu]

Wow this was such a fantastic step by step tutorial with a mix of encouragement enough to get anyone started! Thank you!

[@MarcusT86]

Loving your dedication Kirk. So grateful for you sharing your knowledge. I will buy you a beer/coffee on your page when I get paid in Feb!

[@Onthetrowel]

Don't even worry about a beer, I want to buy you one Marcus. You give some of the most engaging comments on my channel mate. I'm just grateful your here pal 🙏👍👍

[@johngoulding6616]

Lovely job I can watch you all day bean Plasterering from 1977 but love watching you

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers John, people say it's relaxing watching plastering but you and I both know it's not relaxing doing it mate 🤣

[@PlasteringSWales94]

There you go budd got you a nice cold beer 🍺🍺 enjoy mate and keep the videos coming All the best Liam plasterer south wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Onthetrowel]

Liam, you sir are a gentleman. Cheers

[@aala7337]

Did my first room following your tips,instead of a wet brush I used a water spray bottle ,also used a speed skimmer,which took a little getting used to .My walls are smooth and plaster drying out ,I’m pleased with my first attempt so cheers your vids are so helpful!

[@21agdmnm]

did you do it wall after wall or plastered the entire room in one go ?

[@julien7464]

Thanks Kirk, love the video’s and banter. Keep up the good work

[@stuartibbotson7179]

wicked video at last a spot on video thank you

[@Sparrowhawk1962]

I wouldn't say this video should be limited to beginners. I plastered every wall and ceiling in my last house after completing a 6 day plastering course (worth every penny by the way!) So i wouldn't consider myself a beginner. I haven't done any plastering for a good few years now and watching this reminded me of loads of tips and techniques I'd forgotten. Well worth a watch.

[@xxrusty188xx]

Absolutely love these videos

[@cygnus108]

Some really good tips that I've not seen on any other plastering channels...and just what I needed..thank

[@geoffsayshello318]

Kirk, I've got to be honest, mate. I've favourited this video and I come back to watch it about once a week. I'm still doing my level 2 nvq, and I'm learning everything I can from the tutor at my course and yourself. I WILL be a plasterer!

[@changykhan3197]

Absolute brilliant video, big thank you watched twice and bingo plastered a wall really easily for the first time WOW 😂👍 thank you

[@Foxxiel]

Love “like angel delight”. Good video

[@leonhaldron214]

Thanks for the content Kirk, giving me hope for when my house purchase goes through!

[@shaundixon7057]

Aye Kirk over the last 6 months or so I’ve been watching you and a couple of others but you keep it fun… just had my kitchen/back room skimmed by the best plasterer I’ve used over the years and you give me the know how to have a go at some of my room on a house I’m doing up while i run my handyman business over in York. Nice one mate love it!

[@sionwyn1275]

Superb video from a very talented guy! Just plastered my first wall 🙌🏼 Thanks!!

[@eaglegummybears7112]

Top man

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers

[@MarQR999]

From a real Abdul ..... Trowel ..... Hawk n Spotboard. Remember my Dad calling trowel a float sometimes, cos of hand mixing sand n cement (with Fairy liq) and 'floating on'. Grew up in Dagenham but my Dad had houses in Liverpool, every school holidays would be doing labouring and learning from pros ..... Nice bottles of 'steri' milk and the best hopper ever invented ..... The trusted milk crate . Keep up the good work .... I want to come n give ya whisk a quick run in clean water tho ..... You make the job look easy .... Sign of a professional 😅

[@Investorstoday]

“I don’t plaster this fast in real life” bro thinks people behind KZbin aren’t real 😅 Learnt so much from you bro. Keep it ❤

[@joybariana]

Thanks...am so happy with my wall 😁

[@leylacaliskan9604]

I love the accent. Thank you.

[@marksellwood5088]

I've done a little plastering before, but this video was really helpful! Thanks

[@lewiscain7421]

Did my first bit of plastering today, absolutely loved it, did a decent job too using your videos as the only bit of tutoring. Made a proper mess of the floor. But as a bricky im used to doing that. Really enjoyed the whole process though, cant wait to do more

[@frankymal8640]

Very useful vid for the complete novice, nice to have all the bases covered in the one vid rather than having to trawl through loads of separate vids trying to find answers to all your questions. Thanks for making the effort to revisit and improve upon your earlier uploads. Subscribed.

[@frankymal8640]

Jesus I'm a tool, I'm already subscribed...😁

[@JoshdeSylva]

Brilliant video, helped me loads, thanks pal!

[@justinetucker1389]

Excellent - love the tips and hints. Thanks for taking the time to make all your videos.

[@Daleakefford]

Cheers Kirk, Hope it wets the whistle 🍺. Good content and easy to watch. The bonus tips and tricks of the trade are awesome 👍

[@Onthetrowel]

Glad you enjoyed itand thank you so so much mate

[@kendodd8734]

Great vid people will definitely learn from u in this vid proper old school aswell no speedskims or flexis

[@antoniosingh4604]

You’re a legend 👊🙏👌 thank you again for all your help keep up the good work really enjoy your content and help

[@Gazdavies6]

“Looks like you’ve put it on with a chickens foot!” Funny as! Video editing is spot on Kirk. Looking & sounding very professional now mate. Top video as always. These vids are gold. 👍🏻

[@Onthetrowel]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks Gary, always enjoy reading your comments maye

[@Onthetrowel]

Mate

[@mgastra]

Thanks for taking the time to do these videos. Good luck to you building your channel 🍻

[@Onthetrowel]

Much appreciated!

[@christopherbailey582]

Another excellent video, thanks Kirk! Bought you a beer yesterday, you deserve it! My new favourite channel on KZbin. I look forward to sitting down and learning and enjoying it. Always looking forward to the next one! Keep up the good work mate! BTW I'm left handed and have only just realised it DOES make a difference which side you start at. I just kept starting on the left, then tried starting at right the other day and it made all the difference.....

[@Onthetrowel]

Yes mate, I got it so thankyou so much sir. Glad you're enjoying the channel, I genuinely enjoy this little community we are building up here 😀 Cheers again Chris... legend

[@andybrace4983]

Lovely old job Kirk💥💥💥

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers Andy mate

[@ashb9732]

Thanks for the good knowledge mate 👍

[@Onthetrowel]

Ni problem Ash, cheers mate 👍

[@TheTrainstation]

Top tip for DIYer, buy a 1 meter speed skim edge, it will fix the distatser that will be your first time throwing on

[@MarcusT86]

Just watched it all. Amazing again Kirk! I have some questions if that's okay: 1. How long after laying on did you flatten in that first coat? 2. During the second coat I noticed you deliberately squished a dent into the plaster then filled over it. What was that for? Other than that, amazing stuff yet again. I laughed at the chicken's foot comment, and the banging Attenborough impression! Oh, and just some ideas for future vids, again, if that's okay: - A video focused on just the wet trowel, or rather from when you first ever use water on the plaster during a set; up close touch tests, what to do if one area of the wall is too wet while the rest isn't, etc. - A video focused on amounts on your trowel for certain areas of the wall, i.e. near the adjoining walls, then for full sweeps up and down the wall, side views of the plaster on the wall to see around about the thickness required, as visually this is better than, "3mm thick, "now 2mm thick". Once more, thank you so much mate. Some beers coming your way once I'm paid!

[@Onthetrowel]

Love your comments Marcus. I'm busy but wanted to quickly reply. 1. You can do this straight away. 2. Was a little crumb of set plaster. (Possibly from the handle on the bucket) they scrape up the wall so you can either pick them out or just crush them like I did 👌🙂 Well spotted

[@MarcusT86]

@@Onthetrowel thanks Kirk! Great answers! Hope my video ideas aren’t cheeky! 🤣

[@Hiyhdh]

@@Onthetrowelhi Kirk buddy, will ox speed skin do the of flattening and trowelling or just flattening? Cheers

[@joybariana]

Thank you!!! Did my first wall...and it's not shit!

[@joshuacorlett9026]

Loving this channel mate

[@Onthetrowel]

Appreciate you being here with us mate

[@future0015]

Good job

[@paultowns9880]

Another great video. Thank you.

[@Onthetrowel]

Glad you enjoyed it paul

[@MrSquanchy]

Top man, another cracking video!

[@Onthetrowel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NorthWalesspearfishing]

Best plastering channel I've come across :D, helped a mate do a room recently and really enjoyed learning, just hard too learn when I only do it twice a year maybe 🤣

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers for the nice comment

[@markkilshaw1038]

Top teacher

[@KenDavies-z4m]

Great tutorial 👌

[@colin536]

I love your videos .

[@rich69694]

Hi again Kirk, Great stuff. As an instructional video this is a 10/10 👍 With the channel as a whole I feel like I've found a new show to watch and look fwd to each new episode 😁 I'll defo put a couple of beers your way when I'm a bit more flush, am completely skint the now 🍻 All the best mate.

[@Onthetrowel]

Thanks for the lovely comment. Listen mate, you just stay on my channel, that is enough support for me. It's when I read comments like this that I'm glad I'm doing the videos. Appreciate you mate, thank-you

[@rich69694]

@@Onthetrowel Nah man, plastering and pints go together like chips n cheese 😁 I'll be shouting you a cpl of jars defo 👍 Lookin fwd to next episode already mate.

[@davidmorton206]

Brilliant channel , top man

[@JayG2K]

i;m starting to like this guy and channel

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers mate

[@AbdulMIRZA-i6q]

Great stuff 👍👍

[@ronnierobinson1502]

Love this bloke

[@benmiler]

Very interesting 👌

[@bloggs692413]

super job spread

[@werdna21]

Hello again mate. Thanks for another great video. How about you put together a video / demo / lesson on different types of backgrounds / high to medium to low suction rates. What to use how to prep Etc? This would come in handy!

[@Onthetrowel]

Great suggestion! Cheers Andy

[@sedulousdabbler5468]

Brilliant

[@rulsey23]

Great vid

[@Onthetrowel]

Cheers rulsey

[@Stewart_Bell]

Love the video and it contains a wealth of information. So many lingo idiosyncracies, like the opposite of wet is hard! All delivered with solid character, top man. I am however wondering what size trowel you would recommend for beginners as there is a big choice. Whilst I'm slightly hesitant to say it, yours looks to be about 14 inches...

[@guillaumepiot1]

Hello, I've just dot and dabbed plasterboard on my walls. Do I need to add a primer to the plasterboard before I skim it? Thank you very much for the great plastering tips 👍

[@peternicholas7175]

Hi Kirk Love your videos.we have a ceiling with a horrible pattern like in this property and want to bring it back to a flat finish.do you have any videos on how to tackle this type of job? Or just use the same principles?

[@Ravenclaw86]

The Ragni twitchers are brilliant mate. I know you don't need one but they don't dig in like the old Marshalltown ones. I use them to finish the angle sometimes instead of a tool brush. Good video and you're really making me want to go back to using a carbon steel. It's been years since I used one.

[@Onthetrowel]

My mate swears by the ragni, get a Carbon mate, go old school like me 😉

[@Ravenclaw86]

@@Onthetrowel has a 16 x 4 marshalltown inch for years but I'd only use it for flattering and trowelling up. My boss at that time made me spread with a 13 x 5 inch Marshalltown for some reason. That was his way then it broke and I never got another but I think I'm gunna get one at the weekend. I miss it after watching your videos. We're a strange breed aren't we ha. 10pm and I'm thinking about trowels.

[@Onthetrowel]

@J Hughes just put a new video out mate, hope you like it 😉😀

[@Ravenclaw86]

@@Onthetrowel I'm currently watching. Not sure if you remember but a few weeks back I left a comment on a video saying if you carry on with similar content you'll be one of the best on KZbin and it certainly seems you're heading that way. You've got quite a big loyal following already. Enjoy the videos pal 👍🏻

[@Onthetrowel]

@J Hughes yes mate u remember. I'm keeping an eye on all the ones that have been with me from the start so thankyou mate. And thanks for the nice comments

[@stephencorner1418]

agree with board finish,more fat with multi, am from days of podgers bike cog on end of pole, mix with stick first, and ya need to learn ya stokes first, record 2+ 1 40 bags float and skim one day, old days drag n bath, 8x4 put up 1man , am now 60yrs old 7 spinal surgery's, old school no brush angle trowel .

[@ronniebarker79]

Whats your view on the speed scim and flexi trowels range captin

[@ChrisLivingInYork]

Can you do a closeup of how you take the plaster off the hawk?

[@zephyr789]

Really appreciate your vids. A few q's. 1. What's your opinion on using spatula/speedskim for flattening? 2. Can you recommend trowel sizes for a DIY'er? 3. Tips on angle/pressure whilst laying Vs flattening Vs polishing (perhaps an idea for a vid?) Thanks man

[@Onthetrowel]

Hey Zephyr let's see 1. Beginners can use a speedskim if they can afford the outlay, stay away for spatulas until your better as they can cause issues if you don't know when to use them. 2. Just go for a 14" marshalltown 3. You will feel the difference if you are scraping it and you will see how much your taking off. You can't really teach exactly how much pressure as you will just know. Just the same as you know how tight to squeeze someone's hand when you shake hands

[@zephyr789]

Thanks big man. Looking forward to more vids.

[@gamble6363]

Thanks

[@Onthetrowel]

Thanks very much 🙏

[@StringDriver]

Is the carpet on this job being replaced? Would you generally cover the flooring?

[@xcalibardead]

Hi Mate! Just wanted to say fantastic work that you're putting into your channel! I've already learnt so much about different products to use and what wall preparation method to use. When looking for advice out there you always get told leave it to the professionals which I know is true for most cases but videos like yours gives a DIY'er the confidence to try skim that one or two walls that you can't afford to fork out for at the time. I'm sure silly question but have you done any silicone rendering like K-Rend? Would be great to see a run through of the process! Sending some beers your way for sure!

[@Onthetrowel]

Thank you so much mate. Sure I've got a krend job coming up so a video will follow shortly pal

[@jamescatterall4832]

hi. love the vids. I'm a complete novice. need to know if when it comes to the polish, do you use a dry trowel or wet the trowel first? Thanks in advance.

[@markmcgrath4853]

excellent video kirk ! what scrim tape do you recommend ? for around the edges of your plasterboard

[@Onthetrowel]

Any really mate. The pink and orange stuff is thicker so takes mire plaster to cover.

[@markmcgrath4853]

@@Onthetrowel thank you

[@martin_hackett]

Hi mate, good video. When and if using a speedskim, when would you recommend in this video to use it? Cheers

[@PaulCloves]

It don’t look like u got a reply so here’s what I do and it works for me speedskim just after uve laid the first coat on ( the flatter the wall for the second coat the better) and repeat it again after uve laid the second coat as well it flattens in large areas far quicker than with the trowel so buys u time then when it picks up a little u go back to the trowel and carry on as Kirk did u don’t use the speedskims again on that set it’s all trowel work hope that helps

[@martin_hackett]

@@PaulCloves cheers for that

[@raj080288]

Do you not make the second coat slightly runnier than the first?

[@David-td1tf]

Hi do you pva the wall before hand..? Also have you done a video on surface prep..?

[@lakedistrictfishing7232]

When you over skim your ceilings and walls. Do you use neat SBR or do you water it down ? Iv always used grit but you don't half use alot more gear. Wanting to try your method. Cheers

[@Onthetrowel]

Just use it neat mate

[@petermurphy4662]

What size trowel is ideal for

[@solb101]

That was a beautiful finish. How long would that wall take for a beginner? Plus in the tool description you didn’t include the drill and the mixer. That drill must cost a few Bob.

[@CaptianGaming1]

Hi What trowel you using and what size please Thanks

[@Laurie-u8g]

43 years a spread and never heard the chickens foot before 😂. Have you ever used a scoop to get the gear out of the bucket instead of bucket trowel? Great for when on stilts. Not used a spot board for years.

[@Onthetrowel]

Yes I have, had a refina one but gave it away to another plasterer as my lad kept not washing it off properly and it started to piss me off 😂

[@markkilshaw1038]

I have a wall in my bathroom in old school render same just sbr day before ?

[@andyrawlin36]

How would you deal a section of popped plaster? Say size of an A4 sheet of paper on a wall before skimming it?

[@David-td1tf]

Hi previous video said the second coat consistancy should thinner that the first coat..? Wouldn't this weaken the plaster is this correct or is it the same mix ratio and consistency or is slightly sloppier better..?

[@roderickverduijn2750]

Do you also do different things than just skimming. Like proper plastering uneven walls multiple cm off or worse

[@elliothowes5499]

Fantastic video. Which part of the trowel did you use for under the plug socket? I didn't catch it on the vid. I always struggle on the smaller areas with restricted access and a large trowel.

[@Onthetrowel]

I use the toe of the trowel mate, my trowel is carbon steel so the toe is nice and flat

[@DavideAnastasia]

Can I use the same method with a lime based plaster, like the seciltek? My house is an old build and I have been discourage from using a gypsum based product, like the multifinish, over the original lime.

[@crazyc3558]

Was that mould on the wall kirk? Would of thought they would sort that issue out before fresh plaster or that will be full of mould aswell man... .

[@Ramblingpete]

Kirk are we doing the ceiling it needs doing just asking 👻

[@stuartibbotson7179]

Question Edges ??Outer edges whats the best way please ?

[@ddayy416]

Just come across your channel. Love what ive seen so far. You got any advice on courses. Are they worth it? Never done plastering before in me life so just wanna upskill even if its just to get a bit of practical experience. Wanna try and do the same with tiling, plumbing etc. Any feedback id appreciate. Cheers.

[@simonmay1115]

Hi m8 can u sbr old plasterboards ?

[@Onthetrowel]

Yes mate but it's a bit extreme for the situation. Pva 1 part to 3 parts water should do the trick on old boards

[@simonmay1115]

@@Onthetrowel thanks m8