Best product for repairing plaster

[tyb525]

I need to patch some holes in plaster (old horsehair plaster, wood lath, circa 1875)

A few areas are just holes where I removed some buckling plaster, and then around the windows I need to fill in where the old trim was, so the new trim will be at the correct level with the original plaster (new windows, narrower trim)

I am very familiar with drywall mud products, but not with plastering. I was thinking setting-type joint compound would be best as shrinkage is next to none compared to pre-mixed joint compound, but I bet there are better products out there. I'm looking for something easier and faster-drying than real plaster, yet still compatible and similar in strength.

I'm sure some of you out there have dealt with this before, what are some of your ideas?

[florida]

Setting compound will be your best bet. We usually use 20 minute and mesh tape to make repairs like that as you can build coats fairly quickly. Use regular mud as a last coat since it's easier to sand.

[tyb525]

Thanks, that's kind of what I figured.

[shelbycharger400]

hot mud !

sheet rock  durabond 90  ive used here on drywall.. that stuff spread thin is set up in about 20 minutes!  and you need 40 to 80 grit just to sand it.

[SPIKER]

hot mud !

sheet rock  durabond 90  ive used here on drywall

that is what I would use as well.   DB 90 is a dry mix starts life about like concrete and looks acts about the same.   drys w chemical reaction in about 90 min its set & hard as concrete too...   try to resist overfilling as getting that down will wear ya out.

Mark

[Don_Papenburg]

I used Durabond 45 for running crown molding .  Make sure that it is cut to size /below surface before it sets.  Work fast.

[tyb525]

What about the easy sand hot mud? Would that be too lightweight to do all of it with?

[Don_Papenburg]

I never heard of any "easy sand" hot mud .  But in reality you want to work the mud with a trowel to its proper finish before it starts to harden .  Make a screed so that you can make sure that no plaster is above the finish surface before you add the next coat. Work it wet so you never have to sand and you will be a lot happier.

[tyb525]

Don, that's what I was hoping to do, just as with normal plastering. "Easy sand" is lightweight setting-type compound that is supposed to be easier to sand - if you're doing drywall. But since this isn't drywall, it would be nice to not have to sand it.

I've always been fascinated with plastering, and in fact it was a business for some uncles of mine, but I've never had the opportunity to do it. Everyone around here wants drywall, which is understandable.

[Busy Beaver Lumber]

I have hung probably close to 7,000 sheets of drywall in my life and spackled them as well. Started doing it when I was 19 and built my house. Discovered I was pretty good at it and did not mind doing it as most other people did. In fact, I actually enjoyed doing it especially the taping and spackling. Before you knew it, I was getting word of mouth jobs that kept me busy 7 days a week back in NJ and even did some work for insurance companies.

Did that until I was 28 and had my first auto wreck when I got tailed ended by an 80,000 pound tractor trailer. That put me out of action for a few years but by 30, after a lot of PT and gym time, I picked up right where I left off and continued doing it until 43 when I got tail ended by a bus. That pretty much ended that activity, with the exception that I still do it for myself, friends, and family, so long as they are willing to help with the ceiling sheets because my left arm just cant support the weight of the sheets any more

[ScottAR]

I've used both Durabond and ezsand.  I would start with the durabond as it is a lot stronger and finish with a product like ezsand or just regular mud.  Ezsand is for patching small areas so the painters don't have to wait till the next day. 

I got some 15 minute stuff once for a very small job.  It was almost by the time I got it on the wall.

[tyb525]

I have hung probably close to 7,000 sheets of drywall in my life and spackled them as well. Started doing it when I was 19 and built my house. Discovered I was pretty good at it and did not mind doing it as most other people did. In fact, I actually enjoyed doing it especially the taping and spackling. Before you knew it, I was getting word of mouth jobs that kept me busy 7 days a week back in NJ and even did some work for insurance companies.

Did that until I was 28 and had my first auto wreck when I got tailed ended by an 80,000 pound tractor trailer. That put me out of action for a few years but by 30, after a lot of PT and gym time, I picked up right where I left off and continued doing it until 43 when I got tail ended by a bus. That pretty much ended that activity, with the exception that I still do it for myself, friends, and family, so long as they are willing to help with the ceiling sheets because my left arm just cant support the weight of the sheets any more

I'm working for a contractor, luckily we do a large variety of things not just drywall. I've picked done some moonlighting too, seems  once everyone finds out what you do they need something done. That's what I'm doing right now, new windows in an old house. Gotta save up some money so I can spend it sawmilling ya know ;)

[Busy Beaver Lumber]

Technically Ty Beer and Steak is the best material to repair holes in plaster.

You find a buddy that knows how to do it. You put the beer on ice and the steaks on the grill and you let him do his thing and reward him with some good food and grog :laugh:

[tyb525]

Yes that it a pretty good solution ;)

[Don_Papenburg]

Can't beat that solution ;D


Just one more thing , The guy that got me doing crown told me to make sure I always had the latex/nitrile  gloves on when working with wet plaster.

[WDH]

The best product?

A cell phone to call somebody who specializes in it  .

Ty, it is good that you are developing a wide range of skills, I just never could talk to drywall or plaster.  They would never listen  ;D.