Not amazing finish, what can I do?

[Rachel G]

Hi all,

I got a plasterer in recommended by a friend. He wasn't the most expensive but also not cheap (3.5k for about 7-8 days work on a one bed with his workmate, South London). I went to have a look today and he said they'd finished the upstairs. I'm not sure what to expect as this is my first house but there are some small bobbles on the surface and trowel marks visible around light fittings. Should that be there? Is it normal that I get to point it out and he fixes it at the end, like a 'snag list'? If I accept the work then can I do anything to make a better surface before decorating? Apologies if this belongs in the decorating forum..

Thanks
Rachel

 

[thomp1983]

The odd snot on the surface and some finishing work at edges isn't unusual, post some pictures up that'll give a better idea

 

[Rachel G]

Hi all, this is from upstairs - some 'snot' and some trowel marks. Most of the plastering looks okay though.

 

[Wayners]

Just ask for it to be rectified.

 

[johnny2007]

The snots of plater will come off easily when you sand the walls prior to painting.
Around light cables, same, just needs a bit of sanding.
The trowel mark shouldn't be there, but very easily rectified with filler.
Ask them to fix the trowel mark.
The rest will be done by the decorator.

 

[opps]

As a decorator, I could deal with those snots pretty quickly.

Image number 2 is a bit pants though. I hope it is not indicative of the rest of the work.

As a London based decorator, I would probably charge a day or two to sand the walls back- up to £400. Possibly slightly less given that I would allow a min of half a day regardless of the quality of plasterer.

In short, the decorating costs will be higher if the plastering is not up to scratch.

 

[Rachel G]

As a decorator, I could deal with those snots pretty quickly.

Image number 2 is a bit pants though. I hope it is not indicative of the rest of the work.

As a London based decorator, I would probably charge a day or two to sand the walls back- up to £400. Possibly slightly less given that I would allow a min of half a day regardless of the quality of plasterer.

In short, the decorating costs will be higher if the plastering is not up to scratch.

Thanks - I asked the plasterer if there was anything to be done about those bits but he seemed to assume I needed to sand them down and it was normal. Not very happy and wouldn’t have him again but he’s finished now and if the downstairs has a similar level of mistakes to upstairs when I inspect it tomorrow I think I’ll just pay up and rectify it myself as might do a better sanding job than him! How would you advise I do the sanding pls?

 

[johnny2007]

Thanks - I asked the plasterer if there was anything to be done about those bits but he seemed to assume I needed to sand them down and it was normal. Not very happy and wouldn’t have him again but he’s finished now and if the downstairs has a similar level of mistakes to upstairs when I inspect it tomorrow I think I’ll just pay up and rectify it myself as might do a better sanding job than him! How would you advise I do the sanding pls?

See post #13 on this thread

New shiny plaster: to sand or not to sand before painting?

This became a very heated argument yesterday between decorators working at my former customer new built. Plaster is dried for 4 weeks and it's very smooth and shiny. Some decorators want to give it a quick sanding before mist coat, others say it will ruin the perfect finish. Got to say, I've...

www.diynot.com

 

[Rachel G]

Thanks - so conclusion is sanding over plastering is a good idea? What exactly is meant by a 3m scratch pad, the round pads on an orbital sander? Any idea about grit?

 

[johnny2007]

Thanks - so conclusion is sanding over plastering is a good idea? What exactly is meant by a 3m scratch pad, the round pads on an orbital sander? Any idea about grit?

3M is the brand of the scratch pads.
Don't use any machine unless you have a large bucket of filler.

 

[opps]

3M is the brand of the scratch pads.
Don't use any machine unless you have a large bucket of filler.

I routinely use my electric sanders (connected to a dust extractor) to sand new plaster.

The house I am working in has recently be replastered. The quality of finish isn't great. There are quite a few high spots so I am using my 180 Festool Rotex random orbital sander and a smaller detail sander for the edges. Both machines are using 80g paper.

The OP, if they want to stay relatively dust free, could purchase a hand sanding block that connects to a (bagged rather than cyclonic) vacuum cleaner.

Mirka Handy Kit - Dust Free Sanding System

Handy by Mirka is a masterpiece disguised in simplicity. The extractor-ready sanding block has a soft-grip ergonomic handle which allows more control

tools-paint.com

The above link is not a recommendation of the retailer, others may be cheaper. I do have two different Mirka Handy sanders but I use the existing hose for my Festool dust extractors. I tend to use them on Sundays when I don't want my customer's neighbours to complain about the noise. All they will hear is the noise of my dust extractor (read: vacuum cleaner). The only downside is the cost of the Abranet abrasives. On plaster I drop down to 120 grit, the 80 grit leaves too many scratch marks.

 

[Mr Chibs]

I can vouch for the Mirka, great sander, when connected to hoover, only need a light sand, as the abranet can be quite severe if you are heavy handed.