Skimming Aquapanel - Big mistake....?

[GotWood]

Hi All,

I have installed Aquapanel on walls an ceiling of our small bathroom, believing this to be the most 'belt and braces' option. I have now understood that plastering it is not advised, unless using specific Knauf products (skim with a mesh).

Can you please offer some guidance on my following options please?

1) Source the recommended Knauf products and get in a plasterer (assuming the knauf/Aquapanel method is simple for the average plasterer?);

2) Skip the recommended products (which are hard to source) and get a plasterer in to do as they recommend.

3) Rip out everything not to tiled (Ceiling and One wall) and replace with PB and BAL WP1).

4) Cry a lot and hope the bathroom fairies magically fix it for me.

I await your comforting responses...

GW

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Would you consider overboarding the ceiling and tiling the whole walls.
Might save a bit of ripping out time!
Other than that I understand knuaf recommend Q4 finish for aquapanels
http://www.aquapanel.com/pdf/en/AQUAPANEL_Q4_en.pdf

 

[GotWood]

Thank you.

Reading the link, it states that Q4 can be used on ceilings, but only as a finish - first it needs a coat of "Aquapanel Joint Filler and Skim Coating with Aquapanel Reinforicng Mesh".

Am I right in assuming that a good plasterer will be familiar with this method and capable of doing a decent job? Or will I need to look for a specialist of some sort

Boarding over would be a pain - how would I fasten it to the aquapanel on the ceiling?

Believing I was going to get the wall skimmed, I didn't take too much care making the wall 100% flat - so tiling could be a bit untidy.

I really thought Aquapanel was just a more reliable PB! What a wally.

 

[1john]

Over board the ceiling by fixing through the aquapanel and into the joists, or remove the boards they may come in handy or be of use to someone else you know.

Was the wall batten and board or dot and dab??

 

[joe-90]

I don't see why you can't skim over it. You skim over cement render - just the same really. Just prep it with SBR slurry to give it grip.

Can someone tell me why you can't plaster over it?

 

[1john]

Joe, I cant, i CAN tell you however that i have seen in skimmed onto and feathered in where it was used surrounding a skower enclosure. Its only been on a few months so long term I cannot comment from experience. I would think that bond-it would work too.

It's all a shame really as if you skim it, it may as well not be there, same as moisture resistant board.

 

[GotWood]

Over board the ceiling by fixing through the aquapanel and into the joists, or remove the boards they may come in handy or be of use to someone else you know.

Was the wall batten and board or dot and dab??

Screwed to studs at ~14" centres.

It sounds like skimming it could be a risk and stripping/over-boarding is a pain. That said, replacing it may be cheaper in the long run...plus I can use the panels as templates to cut the new board.

For information what is "SBR slurry" and "bond-it"

 

[joe-90]

If you prime it you can skim it. The reason you can't just skim over it is that it is very absorbent and will suck the water out of your mud and it won't bond. Once primed it is the same as any other primed surface. Taking it down is just plain stupid.

Let's hear what Roughcaster and co think.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

For information what is "SBR slurry" and "bond-it"

They are products you can use to prime the surface prior to plastering, this does not mean they are recommended for use on aquapanels, they are often used on surfaces such as artex.

Reading the link, it states that Q4 can be used on ceilings, but only as a finish - first it needs a coat of "Aquapanel Joint Filler and Skim Coating with Aquapanel Reinforicng Mesh".

Am I right in assuming that a good plasterer will be familiar with this method and capable of doing a decent job? Or will I need to look for a specialist of some sort.

They don't need to be a specialist, just need to know what they are doing. It is not too difficult a task.
Joint fill and skim coat white, will be spread to a thickness of 4-5mm over the whole area of the ceiling, and the mesh will then be pressed on to it, where joints are in the mesh, they should overlap by at least 4 inch. It can then be skimmmed.

Apply AQUAPANEL1 Joint Filler & Skim Coating - white to a thickness
of 4 mm and spread evenly. If necessary, comb through with an
8/8mm serrated trowel. Press AQUAPANEL1 Reinforcing Mesh over the
whole area with approx. 10 cm joint overlaps and then skim
over thinly.

http://www.aquapanel.com/pdf/en/AQUAPANEL_Joint_filler_Skimcoating_en.pdf

 

[GotWood]

Superb, thanks PBD,

I think I will look to get it done using the recommended products; if I can find the stuff. They may as well have specified applying a layer of rocking-horse sh1t using a unicorns horn.

Given the lack of first-hand experience on skimming AP, I will make sure I get back with an update.

I note from other websites that some recommend a skim of cement-based adhesive prior to plastering AP. Is this the same as slurry/bond-it

 

[Micilin]

They may as well have specified applying a layer of rocking-horse s**t using a unicorns horn.

No advice from me, only keep these lines coming!

 

[Micilin]

I note from other websites that some recommend a skim of cement-based adhesive prior to plastering AP. Is this the same as slurry/bond-it

SBR mixed with cement will give you a cement based slurry. You can also put sand in it if leaving it to dry , or you can go straight on to the tacky slurry.

It will stick and make a mess if you are not careful, so make sure you rinse the unicorns horn off well after use

 

[jrplastering]

no body likes a mucky horn mic eh?