plastic trowel

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naz

naz

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has anybody used one of those plastic trowels that are spose to be used for the final trowel up when skimming?
 
ave never used 1 of them yet ave always found that a decent(metal) trowel is fine to get a gud finish
 
yeah me too but ive heard alot of other plasterers ravin on bout them, not sure i like the sound of it really
 
a think that if the tools your using are doing the job with no problems then stick with them if somethin aint broke dnt try to fix it ;)
 
Plastic trowels are used for specialist external finishes it says so on the refina site in plastic floats and sponges
 
got part of a plastic exit sign fixed to a float shines finish up like glass saw some scouses doing it in liverpool so thought f**k it and joined in its the dogs try it and youll be converted
 
I like to get a good finish but don't go for the glass effect anymore to be honest. I used to when I started out but it's a b*****d to paint. The last thing you want is some cocky painter scoring points off you. Talking of which, I try not to plaster the woodwork either if I can help it  ;D
 
there great if u can use one i make my own i use a no exit sign cut down and mold an handle to it of an old plastic trowel there superb especialy if skimmin over boards tht av been put up by sum1 else if there un even it moves around the boards an flattens great ;)
 
If its not broken dont try to fix it !

metal trowels have been used for polishing up to great succsess for many many years. Personally i will never change from this.
 
I've got a laying on trowel and a polishing trowel. Both permashape Marshalltown (stainless). Ma polishing trowel is like a razor blade and have taken a few chunks oot ma fingers with it. Get a great finish with it.

Ma Mate works in Kent and they use carbon trowels for polishing.

Bod where u been hiding?
 
the plasterer tht gt me in2 using a plastic trowel as been plastering for the past 40 yrs he is now 62 and swears by it and he makes his own
 
The most important thing is that you're finished product is flawless and there are no hollows or trowel marks on it, i get a great finish on my work and am miles better than the rest. I can't get a finish with a no smoking sign! Whats the diffrence?
 
i know this may sound mad but some plastics are better suited ????? ive only ever used 1 a couple of times so im no expert but my mate only uses his on 2nd coat wen trowelling off ?????
 
I have tried a plastic trowel, when are you guys using them? I found it left small scratches in the surface do you think I am using it too early or is it they just need breaking in like a normal trowel?

Regards
Dave
 
Hi m8
I use a plastic trowel , not on every job but when they are fussy and like to see some shine.
Just run them up and down a plastered wall that is dry and u will see tiny bits of plastic working away from the trowel and it will form a rounded off edge .
I personally think they can save a lot of time and I have seen novice and experienced plasterers using them .
Hope this helps/
 
yea i think thy do a good finish but dont rely on it to much break it in on dry wall.. but when u final troweling just watch what ur doing dont just give it a wembly watch see if it leaves scratches.smalest bit will scratch or it bight be that its not got right bend in it yet and corners are caching the wall.thy do break in esyish
 
this sounds interesting. could someone put up a pic of one of the homemade ones. well worth a try. do you screw the handle of an old float on? or go over the excisting float leaving an overhang. will defo give this a bash
 
when i was on site i would somtime get two pieces of batten make a t section get abit of plastic capping nail it on to the top section about a meter long and just run it around the walls and cielings with it instead of a last trowel to save time plus leaves a glass like finish
 
i thought as stated before plastic trowels are only for certain external finishs and epoxy plastering.......no good for normal plastering as for putting a good shine on your work, bet the decorator behind you swears his head off, you shouldnt shine up your work cause the paint does not adhear to it properly, the painter will have to sand your work to get a key, so theres certainly no point to that. If i saw one of my boys shining up work id give him a cuff round the ear....or a peice of sandpaper and tell him to go back in 4 days time....and probably call him a donkey in thye process lol ;D
 
we were on a job for 6 months and every time walked past this same wall if you had a trowel you had to polish it in the same spot ;D
 
bet the painter was loving that when he got to it... and grand do u think we should open the discussion on whetyher to use a sponge or not ....oooowwwww no not again lol :p
 
i was taught to put slight sheen on it by an old school time served plasterer
 
nah as grand says keep it matt...save the shine for the customers who really piss u off....and shine the f**k*r like a mirror for em by doing anothert wet and dry trowel......that bits a joke ....please dont shine your work, youll never get any recommendations from the painters
 
i'm recommended by 2 decorating firms and 3 painters (sole traders,) slight sheen means they don't have to water miss coat down, (better coverage, less passes)
 
a good painter will always mist coat its so his next coat goes on more even not to show up bad plasterwork thats a myth
 
should always mist.......can peel at later date if painted straight on with undiluted paint...as always its all to do with the prep..
 
Pug said:
i was taught to put slight sheen on it by an old school time served plasterer
Click to expand...

yeah when i get the the second wet trowel......... its at that stage where it leaves a slight sheen. also find it ok to paint.
 
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