rendering - lime or plasticiser or both?

[tombolton82]

i've already asked a few questions about rendering but just wanted to clarrify something. if you are using a liquid plasticiser do you still need to use lime? the plasticiser i have found gives instructions without lime but i have seen on the forum that you use lime too?!?

very confused.....

 

[Micilin]

i've already asked a few questions about rendering but just wanted to clarrify something. if you are using a liquid plasticiser do you still need to use lime? the plasticiser i have found gives instructions without lime but i have seen on the forum that you use lime too?!?

very confused.....

Personally, I'd prefer to use lime . IMHO, it gives a much better texture to the render, and gives you a bit of 'fat' when you rub up/nap/sponge. It also gives the render other properites like flexibility, strength and breatability.

The plas will make the render easy to use (ie put on the wall)as it aerates it well (don't leave it mixing too long, though, or it will turn into p!55) However, to me does not give the same body when finishing as lime does.
It's really up to yourself , and what kind of sand you are using, so if you get the mix nice with one, you won't need the other. If using plas, put only a litle in the first mix, and let it mix to becom enice, rather than putting a load of plas in , then you can adjust your mix as you mix the next one.