plaster drying too quick

[george765]

I am an old git who has learnt to plaster a bit over the years. I am in the process of skimming some small walls within my house with multifinish.
I am not very quick and tire soon. How can I get the first coat of multifinish to dry slower giving me more time ?
I already coat the wall with 1-5 solution of PVA. Is there anything else I can do ?
thanks in advance,
George

 

[ree]

It sounds as if you are getting too much suction. PVA is usually applied in 50:50 proportions or at least 3:1 water to PVA.

Apply the first coat and let it dry then apply the second coat, and begin plastering when the second coat is tacky.

Only work on small panels or walls one at a time - always turn back and finish what you are working on before going on to the next bit.

Any delays or tiredness then wash your tools and board and have a time out. If you can get a helper, say a grandchild, to clean and carry. Thats when they aren't working their phone and the radio.

If the coat already on the wall is pretty bad then maybe post a pic of it on here for some possible solutions.

 

[george765]

thanks ree,
would you do both coats of PVA at 50-50 ?
My results aren't too bad but it's just the speed I have a problem with.

 

[ree]

No, truth is i've often watered it down 3 or 4 to one for the tacky coat but why not experiment on a small area?

If you are slow because of aches and pains then there's not much to be done beyond getting a helper. If you are slow because of technique then you can only do your best on small areas at a time.

Given what you say, why not get a plasterer in to skim the ceilings before any more walls are skimmed? You could watch ?

 

[george765]

You've been a great help Ree,thanks very much. My wife helps me by washing tools and changing water buckets, your right, no good asking g/children as they have there noses stuck to those I phone things all the time, drives me mad lol.
just one more question....Do you ever wet or PVA plaster board before plastering ?

 

[clive12345]

If there is any heating in the room turn it off. Open the windows for 24 hours
to introduce some damp air . The damper the better.
Suction on plaster boards does increase the longer they are in a dry warm room . Hope this helps.

 

[stevethespreader]

I am not very quick and tire soon. How can I get the first coat of multifinish to dry slower giving me more time
George

use a retarder, a teaspoon of cream of tartar per bag of multi can give you an extra 10-15 mins