Bonding or rendering?

[Yukster]

Hi. I've got an internal wall which was stripped back to the brick. Is it better to use bonding or rendering as a base coat before skimming? I'd be grateful for your advice

 

[stevethespreader]

Hardwall or render , render is always best

 

[Yukster]

I got a section of my wall rendered. The chap rendered it in one coat using sharp sand and cement. Is that how it dhould be done or should it be done in two coats? He didn't use a straight edge to create a flat surface until I asked him to the the surface or a bit waivy. Should I expect the render to be properly flat

 

[stevethespreader]

Yes it should be flat

 

[roughcaster]

The proper way to cement render a wall is to scratch coat it first, then the following day, put level/plumb screeds on the wall, then coat out the wall, using a straight edge, working off of the screeds, to get the level, plumb and flat rendered surface The finished render can then be left as a floated/sponged finish, or it can be skimmed with finishing plaster, depends what you're looking for.
Bonding Coat/Hardwall can be put on the the same way, and finished the same day.

 

[Yukster]

put level/plumb screeds on the wall

can you please explain what you mean by that to someone like moi who doesn't speak plastering? Thanks

 

[stevethespreader]

put level/plumb screeds on the wall

can you please explain what you mean by that to someone like moi who doesn't speak plastering? Thanks

to make sure your walls are level when you float put a dab of render at the top same with the bottom you then infill the gap between the dabs with more render using a level , then do same further along wall the width of your straight edge will do , let screeds firm up a bit then rule off them for a straight wall, also if you have a door frame or beads on window reveals you could rule off those to

 

[Yukster]

I think I understand. Do I use a pine straight edge or is there a tool I could get to rule of the render off the level screeds?

 

[stevethespreader]

Go to wickes they do cheap feather edges

 

[chappers]

For a non professional you may find it easier to fix battens to the wall making sure they are packed plumb and level and render and rule off between these, then fill in once you have removed the battens. To be honest I'm happy to skim just about anything, but leave floating to the professionals, you'll get a better finish and there will be a lot less mess and one hell of a lot less swearing.