hi gang, worked with a 35 yr experienced plasterer for 1.5yrs and regularly practise on wall in spare room. can get a smooth wall now. been told I'm at a standard were I can earn money. any tips on how you got over your nerves before your 1st paid job I'm excited but bloody nervous. cheers.
1st job nerves.
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Relax and enjoy
Monkey Boy
Well-Known Member
Just say to yourself:
“I’ve got the skills, determination and quick thinking initiative and as a last resort phone a friends option - I’ll be fine”
“I’ve got the skills, determination and quick thinking initiative and as a last resort phone a friends option - I’ll be fine”
JessThePlasterer
Queen Jess Elizabeth I
Be organised and you’ll be less nervous 
algeeman
It’s A Boy
Topspread16
Well-Known Member
2 poo’s 3 wanks 50 push ups and a glass of water.
Now now don't belittle your achievements , your very good at ityour confidence will soon grow
so will your bad drinking habit
MakeItSmooth
Well-Known Member
1) Always keep a bucket and a spare bin liner in the back of the van, for emergencies when you can't use the customer's khazi. And a couple of bog rolls.
2) Don't make the mistake of relying on a flexi trowel too early in the set. That approach will bite you, sooner or later.
3a) Even if there's good daylight on site, always take powerful LED lights with you, to shine sideways-on for your work, to check you haven't got ripples, before it's too late and it's set. Could save you some embarrassment. If funds are tight, you can get by with a couple of 100w LED panel lights (about £12 each on eBay). Screwfix also do some OK Erbauer lights on a tripod/monopole, for about £50.
3b) Before you start quoting for paying jobs, shine powerful LED lights on your practice wall in your spare room, to check that you've reached a standard of achieving a wall without significant ripples.
4) Your end result is only as good as your prep - learn how to prepare different surfaces - don't just slap on a coat of PVA and assume it's ready for skimming. Some walls are much more absorbent than others.
If a wall has been stripped of wallpaper, don't be lazy - check the wallpaper paste residue has been dealt with before you start skimming, or you'll regret it.
5) Don't look in the customer's knicker drawer - the odds are you'll get caught!
6, 7 & 8) You probably don't need newfangled tape with holes in it....
John j
Mono Don
You never seen 50 push ups
John j
Mono Don
Anyone gonna give short version1) Always keep a bucket and a spare bin liner in the back of the van, for emergencies when you can't use the customer's khazi. And a couple of bog rolls.
2) Don't make the mistake of relying on a flexi trowel too early in the set. That approach will bite you, sooner or later.
3a) Even if there's good daylight on site, always take powerful LED lights with you, to shine sideways-on for your work, to check you haven't got ripples, before it's too late and it's set. Could save you some embarrassment. If funds are tight, you can get by with a couple of 100w LED panel lights (about £12 each on eBay). Screwfix also do some OK Erbauer lights on a tripod/monopole, for about £50.
3b) Before you start quoting for paying jobs, shine powerful LED lights on your practice wall in your spare room, to check that you've reached a standard of achieving a wall without significant ripples.
4) Your end result is only as good as your prep - learn how to prepare different surfaces - don't just slap on a coat of PVA and assume it's ready for skimming. Some walls are much more absorbent than others.
If a wall has been stripped of wallpaper, don't be lazy - check the wallpaper paste residue has been dealt with before you start skimming, or you'll regret it.
5) Don't look in the customer's knicker drawer - the odds are you'll get caught!
6, 7 & 8) You probably don't need newfangled tape with holes in it....
Topspread16
Well-Known Member
I’ve seen 2 more than you.
Monkey Boy
Well-Known Member
Buy tub of grit too
Make sure wall is flat
Poo in your van
Don’t perv in knickers drawers
MakeItSmooth
Well-Known Member
Topspread16
Well-Known Member
I can see why you do long posts, short posts aren’t really for you.He said push ups, not push-up bras!
MakeItSmooth
Well-Known Member
I can see why you do long posts, short posts aren’t really for you.
Didn't deny it though, did you?
Retired Spread
Well-Known Member
smoother09
Well-Known Member
I'm too much of a cnt to ever have got nervous!
Retired Spread
Well-Known Member
keep it simple, don't over-complicate it like some of the lumps do on here.
fk the gimmicky flexi trowels off and get used to using 1 quality worn in stiff trowel through the whole set.
fk the gimmicky flexi trowels off and get used to using 1 quality worn in stiff trowel through the whole set.
John j
Mono Don
I actually went to be a decorator but couldn't get a placement
smoother09
Well-Known Member
Decorator self employed I wish I'd done it! I'd just do external f**k**s make nearly as much as renderer!
John j
Mono Don
So do I. As I wouldn't be plastering
smoother09
Well-Known Member
Eh!
smoother09
Well-Known Member
Ah get you now had to read it twice
this Henry western cider good gear!!
tapit
Well-Known Member
6,7 and 8 but if you do ......1) Always keep a bucket and a spare bin liner in the back of the van, for emergencies when you can't use the customer's khazi. And a couple of bog rolls.
2) Don't make the mistake of relying on a flexi trowel too early in the set. That approach will bite you, sooner or later.
3a) Even if there's good daylight on site, always take powerful LED lights with you, to shine sideways-on for your work, to check you haven't got ripples, before it's too late and it's set. Could save you some embarrassment. If funds are tight, you can get by with a couple of 100w LED panel lights (about £12 each on eBay). Screwfix also do some OK Erbauer lights on a tripod/monopole, for about £50.
3b) Before you start quoting for paying jobs, shine powerful LED lights on your practice wall in your spare room, to check that you've reached a standard of achieving a wall without significant ripples.
4) Your end result is only as good as your prep - learn how to prepare different surfaces - don't just slap on a coat of PVA and assume it's ready for skimming. Some walls are much more absorbent than others.
If a wall has been stripped of wallpaper, don't be lazy - check the wallpaper paste residue has been dealt with before you start skimming, or you'll regret it.
5) Don't look in the customer's knicker drawer - the odds are you'll get caught!
6, 7 & 8) You probably don't need newfangled tape with holes in it....
smoother09
Well-Known Member
Do you f**k Vince you be a nervous wreck after all these years probably be in nuthouse ffs!
ChrispyUK
Well-Known Member
I used to get nervous, but not so often now as I’ve learned to get over most problems. Plaster smells fear, so don’t get monkey brained if you’re getting stressed and it’s going off quicker than you’d like. Stay focused. Worst case scenario, you’ll have to slap another coat on and miss coronation st.
sponge float can save the day.
I’m not a plasterer btw, just a chancer
sponge float can save the day.
I’m not a plasterer btw, just a chancer
The Hobo
Well-Known Member
bottle of rum m8
smoother09
Well-Known Member
Stop advising people to use a sponge float I can't believe it even gets a mention on the forum ffs!
The Hobo
Well-Known Member
i think it was @pualf mentioned that to me
ChrispyUK
Well-Known Member
never did. Just mentioned that it can get you out of the s**t and I suppose also into it if you’re not careful.