Help please

[Generalclarke]

Hi,
I am just about to have a go at plastering under the stairs (so no one can see) I have put on a coat of hardwall that has dried and it looks quite good. my questions are:
1. Is it ok to pva the hardwall before the finishing coat, I am concerned about it not breathing and drying out properly.
2. what ratio should the pva/water be.

any help from a knowledgable person would be great.

Thankyou in advance

Lee

 

[noseall]

there are few 'plasterers' if any, that would use pva between backing and skimming (floating and setting) coats of plaster.

it is best to apply the skimming coat before the backing coat has completely dried out. otherwise, just flick it with water.

 

[Paulboy]

oh yes pva if its dried at all as hardwall will suck blood out of a stone

 

[Generalclarke]

will sealing the hardwall again after only having two days to dry cause me problems with damp

 

[noseall]

how do you mean 'sealing'.

 

[Generalclarke]

sealing with pva

 

[noseall]

pva will definitely NOT cause problems with sealing in damp.

it is water permeable to a degree.

it can form a skin if it is applied to thickly to a dry substrate though.

 

[Generalclarke]

thank you for your help, I will pva it and have a go at the finishing coat.

Cheers

Lee