Need to put a skim coat of plaster around small window reveal

[DJMK4]

Hi

I have done some filling before. But need to do a skim coat around a small window reveal.

Is there any ready mix plaster product that looks and sets like.the plaster bags you get ? Brownish in colour when it sets

And doesn't set and sand down like the filler stuff ? Highly dusty ?

I want it to feel, set and act like normal plaster that plasterers use

Thanks

 

[Reuben klang]

Only way you’re going to get what you want is to use the real stuff.

Just get a bag and mix up a bit and use it. Got to be quick, well reasonably quick or it’ll set.

 

[Simon42]

At under £10 for a 25Kg bag of MultiFinish the proper stuff is not expensive to have a go. However you do need to ensure the surface is prepared accordingly to control suction/ensure adhesion and Multifinish is only for the final thin finishing layer of plaster (I do two coats aiming for 3mm in total but you can go a bit thicker if needed). However if you have deeper parts they're best prepared with bonding coat/hardwall plaster as applicable or spot fill with a good filler if just some small areas.

I am a DIY only plasterer but do both walls and ceilings and proper finishing plaster is great for a much harder finish than filler, but its not quite as simple as throwing on a layer of easifill over whatever is there.

 

[DJMK4]

Will I need PVA on the area first ? And can I mix a small batch in a bucket by hand to do it ?

Iv done sharp sand / concrete mixes for garden patios before by hand but never mixed multifinish plaster

 

[Simon42]

Will I need PVA on the area first ? And can I mix a small batch in a bucket by hand to do it ?

It depends on what the current surface is, but yes anything dry will need watered down PVA (possibly two for very dry surfaces). Another thicker coat can be added before plastering to still tacky or of course SBR is popular these days as a one coat approach. I use both PVA and SBR depending on surface and time available, but PVA is still good for most surfaces and sinks in more than SBR. For very low grip surfaces there are also pre-plastering grit mixes but it's unlikely you need that.

Yes you can mix small amounts by hand if you do it thoroughly, but consider getting a small mixing paddle (£4 - £8) for a normal drill as it makes life easier and mixes better.

 

[DJMK4]

I'll have to have a look..SBR one coat maybe a good option but would I have to leave it 24 hours or can I apply SBR then leave for an.hour or so then plaster ?

Will have a read

Current surface is just plasterboard dryway around window reveal but some cracked areas

 

[dave28]

have a practice run first if possible, i used to work with a plasterer and we used to mix it in huge buckets with drill attatchments.
I just used to do it by eye to the right consistancy but there may be a mix ratio on the bag to follow.

its nasty stuff to breath so mix it outdoors if possible, i think it contains tiny glass particles or simular.

 

[sigma]

Definitely practice, it's not as easy as it looks on YouTube, even getting the mix right takes practice. It is possible for sure and it doesn't sound like you have a massive job there.

 

[Simon42]

I'll have to have a look..SBR one coat maybe a good option but would I have to leave it 24 hours or can I apply SBR then leave for an.hour or so then plaster ?

Once the SBR is tacky then you can plaster.

As I do larger areas and mixed backgrounds I tend to apply PVA, pre-grit or SBR coats as required and let them dry before plastering as that means one less time critical part to deal with, but as reveals are so small its easy to apply over tacky PVA/SBR.

 

[DJMK4]

Once the SBR is tacky then you can plaster.

As I do larger areas and mixed backgrounds I tend to apply PVA, pre-grit or SBR coats as required and let them dry before plastering as that means one less time critical part to deal with, but as reveals are so small its easy to apply over tacky PVA/SBR.

Thanks I'll give it ago sometime as I really want to learn how to DIY plaster even if it's in small batches. For this work though due to timing at the moment as I wanted to get the work done this weekend I opted for easyfill and used some good mould resistant silicone around the frame..

I do have another small project area coming up soon which maybe a better way of seeing if I can use SBR and a small batch of multifinish. I got myself a new trowel so will give it ago