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Yes I'm confused too Happens easily and often. It seems as though there are two types of plaster here in Ireland, I don't know the difference really, Skimcoat is for plastering walls prior to painting, and Casting Plaster is for (as you know) making moulds or casts. But this Skimcoat stays quite grey in color, so if anyone is trying to pretty it up, may be a bit more challenging. I just noticed it said on the bag to use 13 liters of water to 25 kgs plaster, very low ratio surely. Nice chatting Gifter.

Hi J
I am sure glad you mentioned Skimcoat,did some searching and found what you are talking about. Just to bad the closest to get some is 100 miles from me. I am going to see if they will special order it for me.
I don't want to crank out just a bunch of quantity, I want the best I can do.An still keep it simple.
Thanks again

It is a long story

nowadays, with goldband , you dont need all that hassle
that s the difference
in the old days , there were different plaster types and techniques
they had to be applied separately
that s where the " skimcoat" comes in, as a more finer finish type of plaster on top of the raw plaster finish


What is the difference between skim coat and plastering?

In olden days of yore plaster was applied over wooen lath which gave the plaster something to adhere to . Thus a much heavier coat of plaster could be applied because of the space between the lathes. the next day a second coat was applied called the skim coat because it's only purpose was to fill in the imperfections left from the first coat. fast forward to now the plaster comes in sheets much the same as sheetrock ex cept it is blue, and rightly called blueboard , after the hangers screw the bluboard to the wall and ceiling a team of plastererscome in and put a skim coat of plaster over the whol board, the joints require a heavier coat. After this coat dries in a couple of hoursor less the plasterers come back and apply a veneer thickness to the wall and dampen the plaster with a brush being waved in front of the board.Thus completing the plaster job. Now a oldtime plasterer like my brother-in-laws brother is a real plasterer and I was lucky enough to have him plaster my house when we built it, would walk off a job if they wanted him to use blueboard., as he is a old time plasterer who is an artist as he makes crown mouldings an other plaster designs on top of a coulple of inches thick.of base plaster. if you get a chance to see a real plaster job and a blueboard job you can tell the difference and both shine over sheetrock and compound job.


Yes would be nice if you can provide more background on the sort of plaster you are using, this skim coat type.Looked into it myself but hard to find technical information about it.
I think there is extra limestone in it, if so , that s good news, but again would be pleasant if you can provide some links or information on that topic.The same applies to Gifter, as there are so many types of plaster with all sort of additives, it can boggle the mind :)the main thing is , as far as I can tell, there has to be gypsum in it, the selenite, I learned to use the most basic things as they work a charme, but we can always learn moreAlso reading a gypsum book now, lots of techniques in there too, I go often a bit wild on the mixing, but basically it comes down to one part water and one and a half or two parts gypsum/plaster, fill a bucket with the water ,crystal water can be added , than the salt, sand, and hand by hand put the gypsum in and let it sit for a minute ...than you can gently steer it as it becomes the working yogurt solidity, without bubbles or lumbs.the faster you steer the thing the faster it will harden so if using an electric drill or mixer you will get a thick soup that hardens darn fast that s why the builders use that also amongst other reasons..


Difference Between Plastering and Skimming

Posted on July 8, 2011 by admin Last updated on: July 8, 2011

Plastering vs Skimming

With the modern development, much consideration is given for the quality of a product. The quality of a product is identified through many variables, such as durability, appearance, functions etc. In a building also, the quality is a major requirement in modern days. When we talk about the appearance of a building, the plastering and skimming is very important. The importance of skimming and plastering has evolved because that they help to bring about a quality product with better appearance. This article is about the features of plastering and skimming, together with the analysis of the differences and similarities.

Plastering

The purposes of plastering are to give a wear resistance to the wall, increase fire resistance of the building elements, and to give a good appearance to the wall. Greater skill is required to do a better quality plastering. Two coat applications are preferred on clay tiles rough masonry and on porous bricks. There are three types of plasters namely, lime plasters, cement plasters and gypsum plasters. Lime plaster consists of Calcium Hydroxide (Lime) and sand. Gypsum plaster is made by adding water to Calcium Sulphate (Plaster of Paris). Cement plaster is made with cement, sand, water and a suitable plaster. Cement plaster is usually applied on the masonry walls, where the gypsum or lime plaster is then added again.

Skimming

Skim coating is a name for a plastering technique. Out of many skim mixtures, the widely used mixture is made up of lime putty and sugar sand. Skimming is a thin coat of plastering layer applied to the existing plaster to upgrade the surface. Skimming is very difficult to do; it needs a greater skill to make the surface smooth. The thickness of the skimming layer is decided by the requirement of the client, and it can be varied from a thin layer to a thick layer. The white layer of lime applied on the rough cement plaster is called a skim coat. People use different techniques to level the surface, depending on their level of expertise. On top of the skim coating, a paint coat is applied to make the surface more attractive.

Similarities and Differences between Skimming and Plastering

– Skimming is a plastering technique, which can be said as a subset of plastering.

– Both are applied to decorate, and to increase the durability of the element.

– Skimming is also done as an upgrading technique in old buildings, but the plastering is done in new buildings.

– Surface of the plaster is rough, but the surface of the skim is very smooth and neat

– The surface colour of the plaster is slight grayish, but in skimming, it is generally white or brown, if preferred.

Summary

Plastering and skimming, are both done in new buildings, but if anyone needs, the walls can be left bare without the plaster. The reader must keep in mind that the skimming is not a separate coating technique or coating method; it’s yet another subset of plastering. Skimming is a step in the process of plastering.

NOW you tell us about the fast stirring, Sunflower, gee that would have been a big help before this - us wondering how ours were going rock hard in two minutes flat, and you nonchalantly getting on with your pouring in no hurry Those blue green cones are amazingly beautiful.

Hi Jenny
Ya ! The fast stirring got me too.
About the Skimcoat plaster ,its just another name for plastering.
Several different types are used, veneer mostly for the so called Skimcoat which is just the last smooth finishing coat.
From what I found so far plaster of paris is a softer type and veneer is a lot harder more durable.
As far as whats best ??? Sounds like Jenny found a winner whatever it is.

Gifter

Good things happen when surrounded by selenite energy:

A couple of days ago three cute little girls aged 5, 4, and 3 knocked at my door just around the time I was pouring selenite at the back - we had a little chat (as you do) the youngest one talking about seeing dragons in the clouds. Then a discussion on bloodsuckers 'they get into your body and suck ALL the blood out of it' I said 'no they don't' 'Oh yes they do' . 'What are you doing Jennifer? I said I'm mixing something. 'Are you making a cake?' No, I said 'something different' 'Is it a potion? 'Yes, I said, I'm trying to make the sky blue. Off they went, not seeming a bit surprised.


Then last evening the cute little girls knocked on my door again. I asked them why they were knocking, they said 'because we like you' I went and got them some hearts I'd painted pink, told them it was to make them feel better. They were delighted. This morning in my letterbox there were three sweet little thank you 'cards' so touching.
One of the mums was outside, she said her daughter was thrilled with it, had her heart in a prominent position in her bedroom. Children are so sensitve. When I get a tiny bit of free time (and get my replacement moulds) I'll bring them in and let them make them themselves - good idea? Get the kids on the block 'gifting', spreading positivity, has to be good - and fun for them too. The mum likes the idea btw.

Great work today Sunflower, those loads sound very heavy. Love the 'Irish' video, so pleasant of you to add all the Irish photos.

ah na na na....


, it s your lot there who do the real deal
so the least I can do if give you all a cuddle
there are not too many of us around so we must stick together
working on all avenues
to do what we feel must be done to make a difference
Yes the grumpy young man does have weakspots
As live is there to be lived and to be enjoyed
I did overlook that as being very focussed on the tasks at hand
you know, the agendas , I take those agendas very serious
and they are very serious
but all work and no joy makes Jack a dull ....
thank you for you encouragement and efforts and tremendous energy
to pump the plasterite into Ireland
Really amazing work, top work, champions, all of you
Murielle s life pillows and yours too are breathtaking
a very high standard
just like that

Everyone loves a cuddle, we'll consider ourselves cuddled thanks

A report on the fast hardening plaster
Rapid Plaster from Knauf in this case
Well I can say just one thing Wow, I mean this stuff really does what it says on the package.... FAST
Didnt know what to expect honestly, so ..you know, like fifteen minutes or so , maybe ...
well you better make that four to five minutes , it is really crazy material, unbelievable hardening time
just silly fast.....can be very interesting for some applications, anyway , it is so fast you must have everything arranged before you mix
or you will get in trouble absolutely. It hardens so fast and it does generate a considerable heat during the short process the piece you make
literally starts cooking on the table , ha...no joke....smoke and steam galore there for five minutes after that it is as hard as concrete.
It also has a very very slick and fine finish, the surface is very smooth, much smoother than with ordinairy plaster
it is like marble, very fancy, real artwork quality
I do have the german cone, the first orgonite / plasterite piece I had, it also has that hard slick structure so maybe that is being used there
or another type of plaster like Alabaster and many others that have a much more hardened structure, it is for some reason also a bit heavier.
It hardened to fast I hardly had time to put it in the molds, the little silicon molds so I had to rush there
even during a short mixing you already feel the mix starts to get thicker , anyway if you use rapid plaster poor the darn thing within two minuts or you are in trouble.
the probably use that at dentist clinics too I think, just a few minutes and its done.
For regular work I still would use the basic plaster, hardens within 20 minutes to half an hour or so
at least you have some time to arrange things, etc
work at a reasonable pace
instead of rushing through it
some natural components are added to make it " rapid plaster"
that s all a bit technical information but you can find it at the company s website
provided in pdf files
basically it is gypsum CaSO4 . ½ H2O Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate
with expanded perlite and organic acids and hydrated chalk / quick lime
anyway, very interesting material for certain purposes it can be a real saver
Tried to look for it in the UK and Ireland but it seems they dont sell it there , at least not under that name
Still have to test the other one, the universal type, don t think it will cause much surprises ?
Made a tetra out of normal plasterite, lots of hearts using fast plaster and regular type in the energy mixture
Just using Himalaya Salt, Beachsand, Crystal water, that s it
purity and strength
Next were tests with big hearts
fast plaster and regular
another thing is , using fast plaster, it does not give the water on top of the mix later on
it immediately " burns up" the water
in a strong reaction
it just evaporates on the spot
interesting
maybe that s why technicians use that a lot in the areas of electric wiring so they dont have to deal with the water....
therefor the reaction usually mild , the heating up of the piece is very intense.
also made a small cone , very very slick finish
so if you are in a hurry or for any other reason yes I d say fast plaster can be a solution.
if not, I just keep using the regular ones
also as I am doing more and more water gifting, the fast plaster is not appropiate for me
I need a plaster that stays fluid for some time to be able to poor it into the bottles etc..
Also , next to the fast plaster big hearts I made two big special hearts
with everything I could find in it, crystals, rose quartz, herbs, gemstones, you name it , sea shells in all sizes
everything went into those two beauties
and they will not be gifted hehehe
they stay very very close to me
from now on