Best drill for old plaster wall?
skuba
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
snoonyb
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Backsplash Help, Old Gross Plaster Walls
Comments (4)I must be misunderstanding... You said (or so I understood) that you don't want to tear down the laminate. However, then I read that you are leaning toward putting the Wilsonart the exact same way as the current laminate. So ... I'm not sure how to help you. Please clarify for my aging brain and I'd be delighted to help....See MoreBest way to prepare old plaster for painting?
Comments (5)I have currently researched and tried a couple solutions to this. I have found that the solutions given by professionals are wide ranging and very contradictory. First, be sure the answer is for OLD HORSEHAIR plaster. Many solutions are for plaster, which is different The options and contradictions given: 1. Use premixed joint compound. My friend did this totally successfully throughout her home 15 years ago- giving a skim coat of about 1/16" and sanding it smooth. And several professionals (at paint stores and on-line) have said this is the way to go. BUT, many contractors say NOT to do this because the plaster, if it is lime based, will resist the gypsum in the premixed drywall plaster and it will cause it to prematurely (within weeks or years) fail. I used it on one wall, and it dried nicely, but was not as solid as plaster or spackling compound. It primed and painted well, though, and the paint adhered well. So I am not convinced this is not a good solution. But time has not tested its permanence. 2. Use setting joint compound. I used this after talking to the people at USG about their products, and they said NOT to use the premixed, but to use the setting type. That it would adhere. I scraped it on thin onto one wall, but, as the person here suggested, I saw that it dried quickly, possibly before it had a chance toset. Then it would not be hard.. just a dried powder. Went back to USG and he said it needed to be at least 3/32” (who can measure that??) thick to insure it has time to set. I did the rest of the walls thicker. The next day, the walls were very patchy of darker and lighter grey. I went to wet sand, but the stuff just washed off. It seemed dry, and and about as hard/soft as the premixed, so I let it go.. but was concerned. The next day I primed it with 123 Zinsser primer. Two days later, put the gentlest tape on it to hold up a paint chip… and the paint peeled right off. Went back to the bag of compound, and noted that it said the product would get HOT when setting. My walls never got hot… or even warm. On my last batch, the plaster did not even set up in the bucket after 2 days.. it was still cool and moist. So I do not think it ever set. So I have primer over a layer of dust in a very difficult-to -paint stairwell. 3. Use Veneer plaster or Plaster of Paris. This I have not done. When I first started out a contractor said I should not use any type of joint compound, but this would be a harder, better surface. I bought the bag and was about to start, but then read that I would need to let it set for nearly 30 days before I could paint. Also, many sites say you need to use a plaster bonder between the two plasters. I found that the plaster bonder was not sold by anyone locally (I would think if it was so necessary, it would be carried), and it was going to be 2 weeks for me to get it. I suspect the idea solution is to use the plaster bonder, and then the veneer plaster. And go for the long time period. But I went the above routes after researching these other "options". In retrospect, 5 weeks later, I should probably have done this. 4. Durabond. I did not use this, but it is supposed to adhere to the horsehair plaster well. Only it is super hard to sand afterwards. My neighbor used it once in his house, then took the remainder of the bag to the dump as it was impossible to sand. He went with Plaster of Paris. 5. Spackling compound. This has not been suggested by anyone, but, after having gone through all the above, I think I will use spackling compound. It adheres to everything. Hardens well, Paints well. Is compatible with all surfaces. And since I am only scraping on the thinnest layer, although it is pricier, it is worth it in the long run. Does anyone know of a reason this would not work? I have 2 more rooms to go....See MoreSkim coating an old plaster wall
Comments (8)Veneer plaster is made for skim coating. Mix it with 90 minute compound mix -- 3 parts compound to 1 part plaster. Don't use plaster of paris as it will harden up so fast you'll end up throwing most of it away before you get it on the wall. You can try the above suggested mix and/or work with the veneer plaster mix alone or experiment. Use a large, wide trowel to smooth it on and make up your own "darby" with a 2 x 4 about 2' long and attempt your final smoothing with that, wait and then sand and then fill your dips again until you get a reasonably decent surface. Try to work fast, working slowly and methodically will cause more errors and you will lose sight of the "big picture" and with this kind of work you want to focus on the whole wall -- the whole job and not just a line or a lump here or there. Also, irregularities that you can't get rid of can be feathered out and a fool the eye effect can be achieved by spreading the lump or problem over a larger surface so as to remove focus on one problem area....See MorePlaster walls- old house, how do I attach curtain rods?????
Comments (9)We lived in a 100+ yr old house with plaster walls. We always hung the rods from the wood trim on the Windows. We didn't have a problem hanging pictures or heavy mirrors. We usually just used large picture hangers, the kind with the nail already in them that go in at a slant. If you try to drill a screw straight into the wall I don't think you will get a good solid hold because the screw will go completely through the plaster and wood lath used to hold the plaster on it. You may be hitting a nail in the lath which is why the bit broke.. I would, go to the local hardware store and ask them what to use to hang curtain brackets on a plaster wall. They should be able to help, surely there is a fix for it....See Moregrubby_AZ Tucson Z9
9 years agoSkie_M
9 years agoskuba
9 years agosnoonyb
9 years agoskuba
9 years agosnoonyb
9 years agoBruce in Northern Virginia
9 years agosombreuil_mongrel
9 years ago
Related Stories
WALL TREATMENTSSurface Smarts: Venetian Plaster
Centuries-old Venetian plaster has made a roaring comeback in modern interiors. Could this old-world wall favorite work in your home?
Full StoryMODERN HOMESHouzz Tour: 800-Year-Old Walls, Modern Interiors in Provence
Old architecture and new additions mix beautifully in a luxurious renovated vacation home
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNOut With the Old Tile: 8 Steps to Prep for Demolition
This isn't a light DIY project: You'll need heavy-duty tools and plenty of protection for your home and yourself
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Old-World European Flair in Oregon
Custom woodwork, stained glass and Arts and Crafts touches create warm, earthy interiors in a ranch-style home
Full StoryRUSTIC STYLEKitchen of the Week: Found Objects and Old Italian Farmhouse Charm
A homeowner and her cabinetmaker create a personal version of European-inspired comfort and simplicity
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: From Old Stable to Minimalist Guesthouse in England
Its interior bays once held racehorses, but now this all-white and wood home holds fascination as a modern part-time home
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGEcofriendly Cool: Insulate With Wool, Cork, Old Denim and More
Learn about the pros and cons of healthier alternatives to fiberglass and foam, and when to consider an insulation switch
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESStrange but True Parallels Between Early Western and Old Japanese Style
Part 1 of our 'wabi-sabi' series: in which Shaker and Arts and Crafts designs reveal simplicity, modesty and integrity
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESThe Hidden Problems in Old Houses
Before snatching up an old home, get to know what you’re in for by understanding the potential horrors that lurk below the surface
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets
Find out what’s involved in updating your cabinets by refinishing or replacing doors and drawers
Full Story
kudzu9