modern (smooth) plaster over uneven plastered & painted drywall?

17 years ago

Here's a challenge for you - my wife and I are planning to do a major remodel (think: teardown half the house), taking a 1939 cottage (with 10 year old master suite addition) and turning it into a "warm modern" house (think: Dwell Magazine).

We are working with a great architect, so it's not quite as nuts as it sounds.

Ok, here's the challenge: we are planning on keeping 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms that were drywalled, the skimmed, and painted in the last (10 year old) remodel. The problem is that when we skimmed the drywall we had them match the original 1939 plaster "english" finish (at least that is what the plasterer called it) - large areas of relatively smooth texture separated by "lower" areas or gaps...so, basically a random "splotchy" pattern. Looks good, for 1939, but definitely not modern.

However, in order to make the "old" (saved) part of the house match the planned "new" part of the house (aka. to be done with smoooth "modern" plaster), we need to figure out how to handle the old finish. We think we have a few options:

1) rip out all the drywall and window/door trim down to the studs, re-drywall, tape, skim, re-trim, paint - basically start over. expensive, very messy.

2) somehow "re-skim" the old walls with smooth plaster to match the new finish - is this even possible? how do you get new plaster to stick to the existing painted finish?

3) add a layer of thin (say 1/4") drywall over the old (making the walls thicker), taping, texturing, painting as new. this could be expensive as we would also have to rip out all the trim and add extension jambs to doors and windows, etc.

So, we _think_ we prefer to find a way to do #2 - somehow create a smooth plaster finish over the existing "lumpy", painted textured drywall.

It turns out that we will be tearing down most, if not all, of the original 1939 structure (and plaster), so we think we only have to find a way to rework the newer drywall.

I hope this all makes sense.

So, has anyone tried to take a 70 year old plaster "look" and turn it into a 2007-ish "smooth modern" texture?

Any thoughts, tips, or words of warning (or encouragement) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Bruce

Comment (1)

igloochic
17 years ago
I did something similar in a place with crazy mixed plasters (some dating back to late 1800's and some from the 30's). We sanded down the highest levels of plaster in the areas that had huge discrepencies in plaster level (yes it's a bit messy, but better than your other options). Then we used venetian plaster for the new wall finishes. That was ten or more years ago when venetian plaster had to be purchased through a high end paint dealer. Now you can buy the stuff by the gallon at home depot and pay for a custom color as well.

It's some elbow work to apply, but it will provide a very even finish (you trowel it on and the finish is only limited to the number of layers you're willing to trowel). It's a very old technique, but done in the right colors it's a great modern finish as well. And it's so easy to do. The stuff sticks to just about anything, but if you want to do a test, buy a gallon and practice on a section of your wall. It's VERY important to remember to keep each layer thin as possible. You get cracks when it's too thick, so given the many layers you've got, it may take several layers, but it's not that hard to do. For a more modern finish I'd recommend a pretty wide trowel. Follow instructions, and give it a week to "cure" after you've done at least two, or possibly three coats on your practice section. If you're going to have trouble with it sticking to the old finish you'll see it right away.

I personally would pop down a layer of primer before I did anything else, just to seal in anything that might be on those dirty walls :) The plaster finish is hard to get through, but sometimes "stuff" from the old days tries really hard and makes it :) So to be safe, seal it all in and then go for the venetian finish.

I highly recommend using a paste wax finish verses the sealer that they sell in the stores. It's basically the same thing, at 1/3 or less the cost, and it's richer.

I am picturing a light, silvery or soft green color for some reason, and if you do go light, use a clear paste wax. If you want rich and dark (think chocolate or ebony) then seal the finish with a dark paste wax.
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modern (smooth) plaster over uneven plastered & painted drywall?

Comment (1)

igloochic

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