How to plaster a wall like the pros do?

When it comes to re-doing your interiors, nothing beats plaster. Sure, you can use stucco or even repaint the wall. But you'll also need to ensure that the wall is perfect, smooth without any imperfections, or worse, blurred lines, cracks, and even holes. And that's why you need to scrape the wall and re-plaster it so that it's akin to a white, smooth canvas surface. You'll need to smooth the wall, plaster the imperfections away and wait for it to set before repainting it. Just remember that plastering a wall is one of the final steps to reshaping the interior or the exterior to your liking. So check out these handy tips on how to plaster the wall, all by yourself.

• Check your tools: As you start your DIY project, one of the first things that you need to do is to check your tools. Pay close attention to the trowel and other tools that you had used for your last project. Make sure that the tools are perfectly clean as even a tiny bit of leftover plaster from the last project can interfere with the current one. Leftover plaster can impede fresh plaster and its ability to stick to the wall. So check and clean your tools thoroughly. Check online for plasterers in Auckland and you’ll find the same advice listed, right front and center.

• Drop cloths are essential: If you were one of the professional plasters then you would know how essential the drop cloths are. For starters, you can use any material including old canvas sheeting as a drop cloth to cover the area, be it the floor or the wall. Just know that plastering is one messy project and you certainly do not want it on your remaining doors, windows, and laminated floors. Moreover, it can damage your remaining interiors which is all the more reason for you to utilize drop cloths.

• Remove dust and debris: When it comes to plastering, one of the first things that you need to do is to go over the walls with a stiff brush and clean up the wall thoroughly. Make sure that you clear up all the dust, debris, and any clumps that may be sticking to the wall. Now, use a damp cloth to go over the areas that have persistent dust or clumps adhering to the wall. Make sure that the wall is damp enough before you apply the plaster. Make sure that the wall is clean of all dust and debris, including black mold before you start on it.

• Use glue: One of the nifty tricks of plastering is that you need to spread PVA glue over the wall before you even start plastering. You must use the combination of one part glue and four parts water and then spread it over the wall. You do this so that the plaster sticks to the wall and that it doesn't fall. This is an essential step, one that you need to follow through.

• Mix it right: When it comes to making plaster, take a bucket and fill it halfway with clean water. And then pour the plaster in and mix it at the same time. Make sure that you follow the directions accurately and that you pour the plaster into the water and not the other way about. If you were to add the water to the plaster, you'll end up with one sticky mess that gets harder and harder to swirl. You must constantly keep swirling to thicken the batch and to get it to the right constitution. If your paint stirrer stands on your own, then yes, it is perfect.

Now, all that’s left is for you to follow the directions and apply the plaster accordingly. Make sure that you use a trowel at the end, and smooth out the application before you allow it to dry. That’s it.