Need help with plaster on wood

[Barbaloot]

Hi there, I'm new. I'm an artist and I am wanting to create some artworks on plaster. I have some wood mounts and I have applied some plaster onto one of those mounts today. I mixed some plaster with gesso and a little bit of water and applied a layer a couple of mm thick onto the wood mount. I put a layer of gesso onto the wood before I applied the plaster mixture - gesso is a sealant made of paint pigment, chalk, and binder - and let it dry first. Anyway, now that the plaster has dried it is cracking. My question is, how can I apply a layer of plaster onto wood without it cracking? Is there something else I should put in between the wood and the plaster? Should I lose the gesso or would it crack anyway? Also, if I added another layer of plaster to my current botched job, would that be smooth or would it also crack? Thanks in advance

 

[Danny]

We would use a wire mesh called eml but that may be a little bit over kill... if you can find some smaller mesh then that may do it..

Someone else may have a better idea though

 

[Barbaloot]

OK. So do you mean put some mesh on top of the wood before applying the plaster?

 

[Danny]

OK. So do you mean put some mesh on top of the wood before applying the plaster?

yup... thats gives the plaster something to hold on to

 

[Barbaloot]

yup... thats gives the plaster something to hold on to

OK sweet . So if I put another layer of plaster on the current mount would I also need some mesh in between layers?

 

[raytheplasterer]

how big is your wood and what is it attached to?

 

[A.plasterer]

sounds like something out of an american medical phone in

 

[Barbaloot]

how big is your wood and what is it attached to?

Hi there, it's just a thin piece of wood with wood underneath around the edges. Here is a picture. The one I'm currently using is 17 x 20cm.

 

[A.plasterer]

latex ,sand and cement slurry is worth a try.

 

[Barbaloot]

latex ,sand and cement slurry is worth a try.

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean. Under the plaster, mixed with the plaster? Forgive me, I'm an artist, not a plasterer by trade!

 

[radford]

Bandage for good bondage ... Seen it in a Norman wisdom film

 

[A.plasterer]

ahhhh haaaa so thats what his Woods attached to !!! Mr .Grimsdale

 

[Barbaloot]

Bandage for good bondage ... Seen it in a Norman wisdom film

Cool. Maybe I'll try a layer of bandage on my current mount, then another layer of plaster. Thank you. Bandage sounds better than wire for what I'm doing, because I don't need a really thick layer of plaster, just enough to scratch into.

 

[raytheplasterer]

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean. Under the plaster, mixed with the plaster? Forgive me, I'm an artist, not a plasterer by trade!

you may need a fibrous or venitian expert.

 

[A.plasterer]

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean. Under the plaster, mixed with the plaster? Forgive me, I'm an artist, not a plasterer by trade!

find somewhere stocks latex ie liquid and mix equals parts sand and cement with it creating fairly thick slurry to paint onto the Wood let dry and will leave a good rough key for plaster ,just worth a go also could as said add some mesh .good luck sounds better fun than my raging toothache.

 

[Danny]

the mesh would go on the wood directly but looking at the photo I am not convinced that is a solution :-\

 

[Barbaloot]

the mesh would go on the wood directly but looking at the photo I am not convinced that is a solution :-\

What if I used a couple of strips of plaster bandage on the wood before a layer of plaster, like they use for broken limbs. Like this https://www.eckersleys.com.au/products/dl-plaster-bandage

 

[Barbaloot]

Or maybe that was what Radford meant by bandage.

 

[Barbaloot]

If not, I'll give the cement mix a go.

 

[A.plasterer]

when i do sample boards for venetian i use a primer on marine ply primer is bonding agent and silica sand
oldest boards are five maybe 10 yrs old no probs so am guessing depending what your putting on and onto what as said worth a go .

 

[Danny]

What if I used a couple of strips of plaster bandage on the wood before a layer of plaster, like they use for broken limbs. Like this https://www.eckersleys.com.au/products/dl-plaster-bandage

I dont know to be honest...

 

[superspread]

Thistle bond-it , apply that

 

[radford]

Yep bandage lick it and stick it nice and thin and resistant to cracking on second thoughts the licking thing was just for kicks don't!

 

[Barbaloot]

Thistle bond-it , apply that

So use the thistle bond-it under the plaster?

 

[A.plasterer]

Clues in the answer .come on!!!

 

[Barbaloot]

OK I'll get some thistle bond-it and give that whirl. Thank you, everyone

 

[A.plasterer]

Good man .nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[Barbaloot]

*woman. lol

 

[radford]

Big girls blouse!

 

[A.plasterer]

Big girls blouse!

Hmmm never tried that method but whatever works for you.

 

[superspread]

OK I'll get some thistle bond-it and give that whirl. Thank you, everyone

Where are you based ? Thistle bond - it is 50 quid a tub and if your local to me I'll give u some to try before u buy

 

[Barbaloot]

Where are you based ? Thistle bond - it is 50 quid a tub and if your local to me I'll give u some to try before u buy

Hey, I'm in Wollongong, Australia

 

[Danny]

Hey, I'm in Wollongong, Australia

I have been there

 

[Fatarm]

Hi there, it's just a thin piece of wood with wood underneath around the edges. Here is a picture. The one I'm currently using is 17 x 20cm.View attachment 5241

...why not use plasterboard rather than wood ?????

 

[smoother09]

Hi there, it's just a thin piece of wood with wood underneath around the edges. Here is a picture. The one I'm currently using is 17 x 20cm.View attachment 5241

Make a nice chopping board that!!