DIY Sponge Float Plastering A Wall / DIY Sponge Float Skimming A Wall
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- Опубликовано: 6 окт 2024
- WOW! Check out my SECOND ONLY attempt at this skimming technique using a Refina sponge float and a Refina Superflex 2 finishing trowel. I lay on first two coats of Thistle MultiFinish plaster with my trusty carbon steel Marshall Town 13" trowel, sponge float using a Refina Medium/Coarse Float ref. 261210 and finish off with a Refina Superflex 2 finishing trowel 16" inch ref. 228226
“I don’t plaster for a living”....
Proceeds to handle his hawk and trowel better than most spreads I’ve seen 💪🏻😂
That really is the kindest comment for quite some time mate. I actually work in an office - pen pusher extraordinaire lol. Thanks for watching buddy. Des
21st Century Caveman impressive technique and I’ve worked with a lot of spreads 💪🏻
@@dazza944 your having a laugh you must have worked with a load of chancers.
I agree, smashed it 👍🏽
That was a pleasure to watch..no music...no chatting just getting the job done.eush I had your talent. Thanks
That's very kind of you to say so my friend. I'm not particularly talented. Just willing to have a go, overcome my self-doubt and be prepared to make mistakes and practice. Have a peaceful evening where you are. Des
Great job and I mean that sincerely. I paid a builder who told me he could plaster and ended up taking over 10 days to do a job that should have taken 2 days max. I ended up redoing the job myself after watching your videos.
Thanks very much for your kind words. That's exactly why I started getting more involved in DIY stuff. Fed up being ripped off and let down by so-called professionals. Glad my vids have been of help my friend. Have a great day where you are. des
My advice to anyone is be very careful about giving someone the go ahead to work on property. You must ask to see their other jobs and talk to other customers. If they have a problem with this - end the relationship. We have to hear the other side of the story before deciding how long the job should have taken - but if you were not happy with the finnish - he's not a plasterer.
Lovely job that mate - good technique! You've done a great job, well done!
Hi there. Not perfect by any stretch but I was happy with the finished result. Thank you for your kind words of support. Best wishes, Des
Great work, and very inspiring. I think I’ll give the sponge float a try. Thanks
Go for it! let me know how you get on. ATB, Des
Brilliant job. I'd always take the face plates off. Saves time and effort. Once again great job
I appreciate your kind words of support my friend. Thank you. Des
That was a very good job I'm a plasterer also and you have teached me some good tips 👍
Well that's really kind of you to say so Kevin. Really appreciate you dropping by mate. Take care, Des
Good job mate. I'm having a go at my self build porch
Wishing you the very best of luck my friend. Take care, Des
Cracking job mate thinking of sponge floating myself , I'm Jack of all trades master. Of none lol
Cheers mate. It's easy to stay in our comfort zones but sometimes if we step outside we may surprise ourselves. Thanks for watching, Des
It's like you knew I've completely gutted my bathroom and am currently fretting about how to address the plaster. This is helpful, thank you. Especially appreciate the explanations as to why you do things like the PVA wash. All the info and opinions online are a bit overwhelming when I've no bathroom and a wall that looks like crap after tile removal 😆
Hey, try not to fret too much. Keep doing what you're doing ... research is key. Check out others' ideas and try and find what's right for your situation. Good luck and thanks for dropping by. Des
That looked pretty decent for a diy job......👍
Thank you! Appreciated
you have clearly done this before although not too much as you are putting on too thin hence the scrapping sound of your trowel dont need to sponge just wait a while sponge for one coat over board work if amature 2 coats is best
Iam like you plastering
But I allways take the sockets off put connectors on and insulation tape . Bit longer but it’s miles easier than your float catching em . Never tried sponge float. Looks a good idea
nice finish mate looks spot on 😁👍
Thankl you. Appreciated. Des
Fair play mate.
Remember if you're painting it use a matt paint .
Hides any slight imperfections.
Thanks buddy.
Have you ever used something like dulux's flat emulsion to hide uneven parts? Does it work?
I do plaster for a living and your trowel and hawk work is really good alot of people don't realise it's not only hard to get the plaster off the hawk but putting it where you want it on the trowel depending on where you are at on the the wall and reading the comments the scrapping sound you are not putting enough on hence the noise I always put a coat on flatten with a different trowel superflex then put second coat on give it time to pick up clean up buckets etc then sponge ,speed skim and 3 x more trowels and you should be done ...I used to think these videos are putting us spreads out of work but most people couldn't do this and ceilings forget it as its a process but it's hard work and you need decent tools...
Hi there Paul. Thank you for dropping by my friend and for your kind words. I agree with your sentiments entirely mate. I've been doing DIY plastering for a few years now and I can confirm - it aint easy that's for sure despite what some people say, e.g. "How hard can it be?". It does takes lots of practice, you need to understand process and timings and have some decent tools. Best wishes, Des
Very impressive hawk and trowel technique. Would think you were doing it for years.
Thanks 👍 Appreciate your support and kind words, Des
Great work as always des 👍
Thank you for your continued support as always. Des
Your laying on skills are very very good
Thanks a lot 😊 Appreciated, Des
Great job mate. The medium grade sponges are excellent.
Thanks very much. Appreciated. Des
Nice finish.
I was very pleased with the finished result. Thanks mate, Des
You will prob find this out for yourself but what I have found is it's slightly harder but using a ridged trowel for first flatten then using the flexi trowel should give you an even better finish 👍
Your feedback and advice is v. much appreciated. Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 it's all about the painted finish with plastering des I've been looking back at plasterwork that I've done in the past without using speedskims,spats,sponge float and flexi trowels and the painted walls are excellent but if your like me and you want to find things out for yourself then no probs i do highly recommend getting used to the sponge float method and what trowels and what type to use when using the sponge 👍
Fair play for trying the only thing i would say is mix up some half bonding half skim put it on let it go tackey then make it smooth then put a skim coat over it leave a better job
Hi there. Thanks very much for your feedback. Plse explain the advantage of putting the Bonding in so I can understand why. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Des
Nice first coat👌
Thank you! 😊 Des
I need to skim two rooms that contain Artex and this has given me the confidence to do it. I believe the cost to just skim one ceiling is around 500 pounds which I can't afford.
Hi there Robert. Not many people can afford these horrendous costs these days. Plse check out my other plastering videos as well. Don 't try the sponge float until you've practiced without first. Good luck my friend, Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 Thanks mate, yeah ive decided against the sponge float. I'm going to buy two really nice trowel's, one for skimming and one for smoothing, I might get a speed skim too. Even if I spend 300 on tools it's only a drop in the ocean to what a plasterer will want.
Grand job but have to say have done tons of plastering and having tried the sponge method I feel that it just adds to the job.just my two pennie worth.tim
I hear what you're saying and feel the same way actually. Unsure whether I just need to practice more or whether it's simply an unnecessary extra step. Thanks for your feedback, Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 thanks for your reply.well if it helps I tried it for a year or so and conclude that it is a waste of time.but the speed skim,now there is a time saver matey.give it a try matey.you won’t look back.mine is the 1.2 m.hope it helps.tim
You should of been a plasterer you got very good technique
Would probably have made more money too! Take care, Des
Top job!
Thank you! Cheers! Des
If you was starting out what trowels would you reccomend that are within a reasonable price. So trowel for application and finishing trowel. Im only starting to learn so dont want to spend over the odds 👍
HIya Paul, sorry for delay in responding my friend. I don;t think you'll go far wrong with either of the following matey. But, plse note that if the trowel is made of carbon steel you need to clean it and dry after use or it will rust. Stainless steel won't rust anything like the former but it will take longer to wear in. You can always get some sandpaper and go over the edges to 'break it in' beofre use. IN other words, sand down the edges so they aren;t so square and this will mean you're less likely to leave lines in the plaster when finishing. Hope this helps. Best of luck, Des
www.screwfix.com/p/ragni-plastering-trowel-11-x-4/515fv
www.screwfix.com/p/ragni-plastering-trowel-14-x-4/605fv
www.screwfix.com/p/ragni-r418s-11-finishing-trowel-11-x-4-3-4/969kh
Nice job 👍
Thank you Sir. Not perfect by any stretch but good enough my friend. Des
Great job I'm a novice still learning if I can get away with one coat that's me done, I hate ceilings and my ways e en with pva dry out ultra quick any tips
Hiya Ray. If PVA dries out too quick then just apply another coat. You could also try doing smaller areas until you build up speed. These are the main pointers worth mentioning buddy. They will work. ATB, Des
bang on video doing mine at the moment
Hope all went will Lee. Take care, Des
🍻💪 Nice job mate OX flex is a good trowel as well if you ever want to try new trowels good strong trowel gets ya work flat 🥞
I've heard of them and seen them on other channels. Perhaps at some point in the future. ATB, Des
Not a bad go as a non spread mate. if you spray a little water as you go on the first trowel after the sponge you will find it sooooo much easier.
Appreciate the tip mate. Thanks, Des
I thought you did an awesome job for a diyer hope to learn plastering to benefit myself
Thank you. Appreciate your kind words of support. Plse subscribe, Best wishes, Des
Nice job
Thank you very much Sir.
Well done
Thanks very much. Appreciate your support. Des
Fair effort.
Cheers, Des
I’ve watched a few sponging vids and read advice a lot don’t bother with a flatten after the 2nd coat let it pick up n sponge it as I can see you’ve layed it in flat anyway hope see u at again 👍😀
Hmm ... actually I can see what you're saying. Thanks for your advice, Des
A bit heads up ere seen this guy similar method
ruclips.net/video/O39Gp72tkUI/видео.html
nice work mate, i sponge float and would recommend anyone to try,
If you don't mind me asking: What is 'sponge float'? could you just explain the basic steps and tools..
Good job thank you for sharing your experience. Could you tell us the list of products and where did you get them ?
Sure thing ...
www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-PVA-Admix-Building-Adhesive---5L/p/240701
www.wickes.co.uk/British-Gypsum-Thistle-Multi-Finish-Plaster---25kg/p/220056
Other than above you need a trowel, hawk, brush and spray bottle available pretty much at any home improvement store.
Nice video been watching sponge floating but what exactly does it do..?
Hello there. My explanation in layman's terms is - It's an extra step in the skimming process, before final trowelling, which basically brings back the plaster to an almost creamier consistency thereby enabling you (with practice) to get a much smoother and better finish. Hope that helps. Best, Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 it levels out the plaster if done correctly
Looks really good. Do you need to bother with a 2nd coat if youre sponge floating? I've heard not.
Yes you absolutely do. Don;t skimp on this stage or the plaster willl be too weak. Des
nice job never used sponge float iv been plastering for 45 years, do they work on outside rendering.
Never tried render my friend so not sure. Stay safe and well, Des
Good effort but it was a bit painful watching the first coat your mix seemed a little wet and needed to be a bit thicker. I also noticed that there were pva drips. It needs to dry. But all said and done you can handle a trowel.
Nice! I remember watching your first plastering vid years back. Somehow I ended up on this new vid. Well done for sticking at it pal, doing a great job. heres a top plastering tip of the day haha. if you mix it a tiny bit stiffer its easy and tidier to use. do that same mix but 3/4 of a pint of water less. let me know how you get on ;)
Hi there. Very grateful for your advice and sharing your knowledge with myself and others. Best wishes, Des
Nothing wrong with that..you deserve a 🍺
Did it stay on with just that key? I've just used wba over painted walls. Hoping it stays up.
It's absolutely sound mate. Spot on. ATB, Des
what is the benefit of using the sponge, doesn't it leave marks in smooth plaster?
Please see earlier comments and responses. The trowel will take out any marks after sponging. ATB, Des
Hello mate looks decent that does have you got a link to the marshall trowel please I'm wanting to have a go in my house but I've never done anything like it in my life all the marshall trowels iv looked at say for finishing but do you lay it on with them as well am confused
Hello there my friend and thank you for dropping by. If you've never done any plastering before and may not do it regularly don;t spend a fortune on a professional trowel as you will never wear it in and will not get the benefit from it.
Equally, anything under £20.00 is guaranteed to be crap. Do NOT buy regardless of what name appears on it. For example, if you live in UK and go on B and Q website they have a few Marshall Town 'finishing' trowels under £20.00. These are made for the rank amateur and won't last 2 minutes regardless of the MT name on them. I accept that you haven't done any prior plastering but don;t waste your money. A good MT trowel will cost you between £45-60.00 new.
A trowel described as a finishing trowel will generally be good for most light plastering, such as, skimming but definitely not for any heavier stuff, such as, rendering / sand and cement.
Here are some examples of decent quality trowels for under £30.00 from Screwfix and are obviously brand new. They may be described as good to go or already 'worn in' but the reality is that you will need to get a sanding block and take down the edges with sandpaper so you don't leave tracks in the plaster.
www.screwfix.com/p/ragni-plasterers-trowel-14/605fv
www.screwfix.com/p/spear-and-jackson-tyzack-ready-to-go-finishing-trowel-14/9384k
www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Jackson-13458ERTG-Enhanced-Finishing/dp/B01KYYMA1S/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=plastering+trowel&qid=1554404054&refinements=p_36%3A1500-3000%2Cp_72%3A419153031&rnid=419152031&s=diy&sr=1-23
Alternatively, you could always buy 2nd hand and this is a good example of a great quality trowel at a great price. Almost certainly already worn in.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marshalltown-plastering-trowel-13/173860635804?hash=item287ae6c49c:g:axwAAOSwt4Vco82a&frcectupt=true
This is also a great vid from an excellent RUclips plasterer giving his advice on the best trowel for DIY'ers and beginners, etc. Take a look.
ruclips.net/video/VO0oGG993F4/видео.html
Hope above helps myfriend. Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 top man des Thank you
My pleasure. Des
Craig Guinnane You can use the marshal town trowels for laying on and finishing, although when you have been plastering a long time the trowel gets abit stiff for your arm so you can flexi trowel for finishing it but only the last trowel as it does not press the plaster in flat and the flex in the trowel rides over any bumps
So what does the sponge float do? It puts a coarse look to it. Do you plaster, then sponge float and then smooth off after?
Hiya buddy. Thanks for your query. I would point out that I've only tried it 3 times so I'm no authority on the matter. From what I've seen on other channels and heard from some of the experts who practice it this process will give you a very creamy surface which when trowelled at the right time will give you an extremely smooth surface and a much better finish than you should be able to get using the more traditional methods. I must also add that I haven't yet managed to accomplish this myself although it seems very logical to me. I personally need a lot more practice. You would need to follow the steps illustrated in this video. But, bear in mind there may be several ways to do the sponge float method. You need to practice to find a way which suits you. I would recommend checking out Gordon Mackie's channel and see what his experiences are and how he would describe the benefits of this approach. I gather Gordon also uses the sponge float method if he has a very difficult surface and needs to flatten out the first coast of plaster. He also comments regularly on my vids. I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all offering his opinion. ATB, Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 thanks for the reply. Will check the channel out.
Whats super flex? Is it a finish trowel?
It is yes. It will give a lovely smooth finish to your skim plaster providing it has been flattened and trowelled at the right time. ATB, Des
Then I saw the sponge. Wow
It looked like that wall was a patchwork of different types of plaster before you started and by the looks of it mainly lime. It's always a shame to cover beautiful old lime plaster with gypsum. Lime putty may have been a better skim for that room if it is a coated in a traditional lime plaster.
Hi there and thanks for dropping by. The property was built in the late 70's and so lime plaster is very doubtful. As you say the walls were a patchwork of different plaster but I would hardly describe them as beautiful though! If they were lime plaster then gypsum would not be an appropriate plaster to skim with. Thanks for your time, Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 what is seen on a screen can be very deceptive Des. Thanks for putting me straight and thanks for the video 👍
How long did you leave it between 1st and 2nd coat?
Hi there. It's difficult to give precise timings as this depends on a multitude of factors (e.g. suction on the wall, how warm it is, whether you have an open door or window with a draught coming through - all of which will speed up the plaster setting process). My test is whether I can run a trowel over the first coat and actually start to flatten the plaster without taking too much off or simply pushing it around the wall. If I trowel it and the plaster starts to flatten / compact and smooth out then I'll put the second coat on then. As a matter of personal practice though, after laying on the first coat I always clean up my tools, have a tidy up which takes a few minutes anyway and then check it out every 5 or 10 mins. Others may put the kettle on or have a smoke. Each to their own. Hope this helps. ATB, Des
So if you have done good two flat coats of plaster why need to go over again with a sponge
Hello there and thanks for your query. When I first heard about sponge floating I asked myself the very same question. I would also add that I've only tried it 3 times so I'm no authority on the matter. From what I've seen on other channels and heard from some of the experts who practice it this process will give you a very creamy surface which when trowelled at the right time will give you an extremely smooth surface and a much better finish than you should be able to get using the more traditional methods. I must also add that I haven't yet managed to accomplish this myself although it seems very logical to me. I personally need a lot more practice. Another one of my subscribers and a damn good plasterer is called Gordon Mackie who has also used this method. I would recommend checking out his channel and see what his experiences are and how he would describe the benefits of this approach. I gather Gordon also uses the sponge float method if he has a very difficult surface and needs to flatten out the first coast of plaster. He also comments regularly on my vids. I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all offering his opinion. ATB, Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 Oh thanks for a reply! Great sharing experiences.I guess it helps with sponging when you are on a few walls at the same time and want to achieve good quality all around.Someone said - plastering takes 20min to learn all life to master!
Your scraping that on the wall bud not spreading try putting more on your trowel mate
That makes sense. Thanks for dropping by. ATB, Des
@@21stcenturycaveman33 no problem mate hope it helps for your next skim should it do u have the knack just not putting enough on bud 👍
It should do***
Plastering should be silent if you can hear the trowel scraping you need more plaster on it.
Thank you for your feedback, Best wishes, Des
Hi, thanks for your videos. Really appreciate them. I'm totally useless at DIY! It's damaging my poor man status.
Question... How do you keep the whole surface area level? Is it more about practice or are you just using a well trained eye?
Thanks
Hi there and thanks for watching. It is indeed practice my friend and also technique - probably a 50:50 split. I'm afraid the only way to catapult yourself back into this testosterone fuelled madness is to get some practice in. Have you considered doing any P/T courses at a local college. That's what I did and I've saved myself absolute £1000's and boosted my confidence to turn my hand to pretty much anything. Bottom line - beat your chest, grab yourself by the balls and get stuck in :?) Best wishes mate, Des
My days 😣
Not being funny ,but I just don't see the point of the sponging,you've put the second coat on an more or less troweled it up,just take a bit more care doing that stage an you've only have to give it a dry trowel afterwards,so your bringing back a stage what you've already done
I do hear what you're saying mate. I haven't made up my own mind yet on whether it's worth it tbh. But, the results are supposed to be far superior. Thanks for dropping by.
Not sure about the sponge ya know it’s like your messing up your work it looked good then the sponge just puts tracks in it then you have to flatten again
Yep, I hear what you're saying and have thought exactly the same thing myself. However, although I'm new to this technique I honestly think it's going to be a game changer and bring about even better results. Nothing to lose mate and everything to gain. If it doesn't work out for you you've lost nowt. Best wishes, Des
thinnest spread ever seen
?? This is a skim job not a render finish.The finished result also looked very good in my humble opinion as a DIY'er.
Cant bare to listen to the scrapping g any longer, that poor trowel...
You wanna a job as a plasterer
I already have a full time job my friend working in an office. ATB, Des
Oh Lord 😂
That's not there super flex Mate that looks like their steel Trowel
Hello there. Yep, it is. It's the REFINA SUPERFLEX2 FINISHING TROWELS 16" inch 228226.
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01H5IPY82/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The blade is made of chrome stainless steel. ATB, Des