First time plastering, what caused these different marks

[TheInsulator]

Have made my first attempt and skimming and would like some feedback on how I can improve the finish for my next attempt.

I was following the method used in an onthetrowel video, 1st coat, flatten, second coat flatten, 1st trowel, 2nd trowel, and polish.

Straightaway I noticed the plaster drying up a lot quicker than I expected to the point where it felt dry before my 1st trowel.

At times it felt the trowels were really dragging the second coat thin.

Plan for the next attempt is to sbr the plasterboards, and use some extra time, and to flatten with a speedskim as I can definitely feel some waves when I run my hand along the wall.

What I have no idea about is whether the plaster can be overworked or over watered etc, it is drying out quite patchy, just wandering if anyone can tell from the pics any obvious mistakes I've made?

I think the bottom left of the first pic is from the Flexi trowel I used for the polish, probably won't use this the next time.


I'm still not sure how wet the plaster should be for the trowels and polish.

 

[Wayners]

You can PVA plasterboard. Keep windows and doors shut on warm days to stop airflow.
I think it just dried to fast for you.
The extra time slows setting on a well sealed wall but will have no effect on drying.
Probably not enough applied on first coat so the thin layer just dried out.
You probably weren't quick enough on first attempt along with it being applied too thinly.
3 to 1 PVA and have another go.
Good first attempt though.
You can always dodge a cheap orbital sander on vacuum and run over if you aren't perfect enough..

 

[CountryFan]

Maybe the mix was a little dry?

 

[Sonic70]

Pressing too hard with the trowel?