...it's, it's, it's...PINK?
I turned up at a job today to start a two day job plastering a rather large lounge. Ceiling had more or less been stripped of paper by client although had to strip a bit more off as there were a few patched left which i didn't want to leave in place (we've all been there!!). Walls are original 1930's artexed with a nice shiny paint covering it. Client had sanded peaks of bumps as per my instructions (I'd warned of the possibility of asbestos already) so I had some sort of a key.
I'd planned on giving it two nice thick coats of PVA before skimming the walls but the client had, quite keenly, been out and bought all the materials for the job (even though my quote included materials and my trailer was full of the materials needed - bonus). In with the bags of multi and stuff there was a couple of tubs of Wickes Plaster Bonding Agent which claims to be effective on smooth, low suction, low key surfaces. Destructions say stir (it contains aggregate - just a fine sand really) and apply neat.
So, I though why not give it a go. proper coverage was difficult due to the surface of the wall but the same problem would have arisen if I'd been applying PVA. It's suposed to be left for 4 - 5 hours but I was leaving it overnight as I'm skimming walls tomorrow. Anyhow, five hours later and it's still not dried properly. When touched, the sandy content doesn't stay on the wall - it sticks to my fingers.
So, I'm now getting worried. Am I going to turn up tomorrow to skim the walls only to find that as I spread, the sand in this stuff ends up all over the place and scratches the surface of my skim? Am I going to need to skim it twice?
Has anyone used this stuff before? What's the difference between this stuff and PVA with a handful of sand mixed in (with a little red food colouring for good measure)? It was apparently £11 for a tub which states 3kg. However, it doesn't look much more than about 2 litres of PVA! Expensive stuff.
regards
Fred.
I turned up at a job today to start a two day job plastering a rather large lounge. Ceiling had more or less been stripped of paper by client although had to strip a bit more off as there were a few patched left which i didn't want to leave in place (we've all been there!!). Walls are original 1930's artexed with a nice shiny paint covering it. Client had sanded peaks of bumps as per my instructions (I'd warned of the possibility of asbestos already) so I had some sort of a key.
I'd planned on giving it two nice thick coats of PVA before skimming the walls but the client had, quite keenly, been out and bought all the materials for the job (even though my quote included materials and my trailer was full of the materials needed - bonus). In with the bags of multi and stuff there was a couple of tubs of Wickes Plaster Bonding Agent which claims to be effective on smooth, low suction, low key surfaces. Destructions say stir (it contains aggregate - just a fine sand really) and apply neat.
So, I though why not give it a go. proper coverage was difficult due to the surface of the wall but the same problem would have arisen if I'd been applying PVA. It's suposed to be left for 4 - 5 hours but I was leaving it overnight as I'm skimming walls tomorrow. Anyhow, five hours later and it's still not dried properly. When touched, the sandy content doesn't stay on the wall - it sticks to my fingers.
So, I'm now getting worried. Am I going to turn up tomorrow to skim the walls only to find that as I spread, the sand in this stuff ends up all over the place and scratches the surface of my skim? Am I going to need to skim it twice?
Has anyone used this stuff before? What's the difference between this stuff and PVA with a handful of sand mixed in (with a little red food colouring for good measure)? It was apparently £11 for a tub which states 3kg. However, it doesn't look much more than about 2 litres of PVA! Expensive stuff.
regards
Fred.
