ahll wrote:
Looking good :0)
Can I ask how you did the 3 Polish coats ? I could do with getting a better finish on my skimmed walls .
Make sure you have a decent trowel. As mentioned above I went for a pre-worn Marshalton Perma-shape - £40 delivered.
First coat ; apply multi finish starting at left hand wall, standing on floor run plaster up tight against the wall the length of trowel to above head height. Split wall into sections. First travel across wall applying 50% of trowel over last vertical stroke working from waist height up to above head height apply vertically then arc to the right at full stroke. On the back stroke work plaster in where you applied plaster on the previously stroke.
Work till at right hand side, now go back to left hand side and fill vertically from bottom to waist height overrunning the band previously applied. Continue to end of wall.
On ladders apply plaster again vertically from head height towards ceiling, stopping just short with the arc. Work down from ceiling to match with the vertical strokes. Continue along wall ensuring you apply plaster vertically then back stroke on the previous vertical line.
Don't try to get this too smooth as long as it is of even thickness! Target ~2mm.
Doing the above procedure will help to get this applied as even as possible!
Second coat is generally just the same however only applying ~1mm. You can combine the waist > head height & bottom to waist height in the same vertical stroke. Then just complete from head height to ceiling as before.
1st Polishing:
Allow the plaster to pick up. Wash tools out & have a brew.
15minutes was fine in my case as I was skimming new plaster board. Your substrate may alter this along with the working conditions.
Dry trowel the exact same process/technique as 2nd coat however no need to apply plaster this time.
Clean up tools.
2nd polishing:
Wait 10mins.
Repeat 1st polishing stage but water as required. The surface will have started to firm so pressure can be applied to start smoothing
Clean up all wall & ceiling joints with trowel or sponge.
3rd polishing:
Wait 10/15mins.
Repeat 2nd polishing stage but water sprayed at the start of your stroke, I.e where your trowel will start.
If 4th polish is required just follow the same process until it is mirror smooth!!
This is not an absolute guide!! Just the basics I picked up yesterday! This is a tactile process and one that needs hands on experience - hence the reason I opted for on the job experience!
If anyone wants a go I've got a fair few walls needing skimmed...ha!
