Plaster over existing render

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DC16

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Hi, I’m renovating a 1930s property and currently replastering the hallway. The wallpaper has been a nightmare to remove, so much so that on some parts of the wall it was easier to scrape off the top skim coat (some of it came away with wallpaper anyway).

The render underneath seems pretty sound so wondered whether I could level this off with bonding coat before applying multi finish? The alternative would be taking it all back to brick which I’m reluctant to do as we’re living in the property while renovating so that’s a lot of dust to kick up!

Attached photos show the exposed render, as well as some areas where I’d filled with bonding coat before deciding to take the rest of the skim off. This has set really well on existing render. (As an admission, I was originally planning to be lazy and skim over the baked on wallpaper before deciding that was a very bad idea.)

Very much a DIYer and learning as I go so all advice is appreciated!

Thanks
 

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A but of diy plastering is a patch here and there that is not diy mate you got no chance trying to do that yourself
 
Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. Fully accept a professional plasterer is always the best way to go and had someone in to do the bedrooms before we moved in to meet the deadline. He did a great job and I’d have him back in a heartbeat.

Reality is that I don’t have the budget to bring the pros in for everything so looking to do a lot myself over time.

I know I won’t manage anywhere near as good a job as a pro but let’s face it, a crappy hallway plaster job isn’t life and death so I won’t kill anyone, even if I do make an a*se of it.

Unless there is a compelling reason not to fire some bonding over the render and then skim I’ll look to have a go at it.
 
Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. Fully accept a professional plasterer is always the best way to go and had someone in to do the bedrooms before we moved in to meet the deadline. He did a great job and I’d have him back in a heartbeat.

Reality is that I don’t have the budget to bring the pros in for everything so looking to do a lot myself over time.

I know I won’t manage anywhere near as good a job as a pro but let’s face it, a crappy hallway plaster job isn’t life and death, even if I do make an mess of it.

Unless there is a compelling reason not to fire some bonding over the render and then skim I’ll look to have a go at it.
 
No problem skimming over that, looks sound. But do you have the skills to plaster larger areas?
Probably not but I guess I’ll find out. I did plaster a wall in the living room as a stop gap mainly to stop dust coming in some
of the gaps. Not the smoothest but got it all on, albeit plaster started to go off pretty quickly as I think I over mixed. Hopefully get a bit better this time. It certainly does give you an appreciation of the skill of a proper plasterer.
 
Like everyone says get a plasterer, but if your insistent on going solo prep is critical for your timing!
A good couple of coats of sealing PVA until it stops drawing then normal coat of PVA.
Either bonding/multi coat or thicker multi coat to dub out and flatten then once that picks up plaster as normal.
 
Like everyone says get a plasterer, but if your insistent on going solo prep is critical for your timing!
A good couple of coats of sealing PVA until it stops drawing then normal coat of PVA.
Either bonding/multi coat or thicker multi coat to dub out and flatten then once that picks up plaster as normal.


He's a beginner


That lime plaster will just laugh at PVA, no chance for him.


He needs a proper sealer.

And a prayer


Them walls will catch out a lot of spreads.
 
Like everyone says get a plasterer, but if your insistent on going solo prep is critical for your timing!
A good couple of coats of sealing PVA until it stops drawing then normal coat of PVA.
Either bonding/multi coat or thicker multi coat to dub out and flatten then once that picks up plaster as normal.
Thanks Steve, that’s what I was thinking re a few coats of PVA first. Appreciate the advice. The bonding I applied over the areas originally exposed has taken really well so far.
 
He's a beginner


That lime plaster will just laugh at PVA, no chance for him.


He needs a proper sealer.

And a prayer


Them walls will catch out a lot of spreads.
This is the kind of advice I’m here for Bobski! If you’re recommending sealer rather than PVA then I’ll look at that. Is there one you’d recommend?

I’m not religious though, so perhaps you can say a prayer for me…
 
It’s your property and time is not as much a factor so a decent quality PVA at a ratio of 5 water 1 PVA and give it as many coats as needed until the background stops sucking it in. Then normal 3 PVA 1 water until tackey.
Alternatively to save time you can use SBR in nearly the same manner and this would need way less coats.
 
Personally if it was me doing it for a client I would bonding coat the walls and give it a
Devil float just for good measure really belts and braces then skim it,but there’s nothing wrong doing it the way @Steve Brown has said either
 
This is the kind of advice I’m here for Bobski! If you’re recommending sealer rather than PVA then I’ll look at that. Is there one you’d recommend?

I’m not religious though, so perhaps you can say a prayer for me…


Something more concentrated

SBR

Or tilers primer, acrylics or latex or equivalent


If I was you - just go and buy some Wickes bonding agent


Possibly paint it twice with that, that'd give you half a shot, and do what you said you were gonna.
 
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