17Plastering your own walls may seem daunting because you must spend to buy the materials and set aside the time to do the work yourself. However, apart from the appeal of learning something new and ending the day looking at your own handiwork, for those who are willing to try, plastering your interior walls is not that difficult. You can buy your plastering trowels and plaster mix as soon as possible.
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Gather your materials
When you decide to plaster your interior walls, select your plaster. You can talk to the sales representative to properly weigh up your options. Have a decent-sized bucket for your plaster mix; you may use one you have at home. Selecting your plastering trowel and hawk might be trickier because as much as people recommend one over another only you can decide on your trowel. Considering how long you are going to work, test how the trowel feels in your hand. The heavier it is does not always mean the better! When you find one that fits you comfortably with its size and weight, you are good to go.
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Prep your walls
After you have gathered your materials, prep your interior wall. Clean it well. Remove any wallpaper, old nails, and the like. Go over it with a damp rag or a dry brush to remove any dust. Professional plasterers know that for the plaster to stick properly and to ensure a smooth finish a clean wall is a must. The excess dust may change the consistency of your plaster mix. This may cause parts of the wall to dry faster than others. It can also create small bumps, preventing a smooth finish.
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Apply the plaster
When your wall prep is done, mix your plaster with water. Make sure that there are no dry lumps and that the consistency is nice and smooth. Add a generous amount to your hawk and apply your plaster to your wall. Focus on how much you are applying and don’t dwell on one section too long. Taking too long on one part and doing one wall in many sessions can ruin the overall look. It creates inconsistencies.
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Clean up
When you finish, don’t forget to clean your trowel and hawk. If you want to continue plastering jobs throughout your house, a clean-as-you-go mentality prevents the build-up of old plaster chunks that may get in the way of your next project. Leave your wall to dry for three days and try to keep the moisture out as much as possible.
As long as you know what to do and aren’t afraid to ask questions, doing the plasterwork by yourself is not impossible. It requires a lot of patience, time management, and upper body strength to get the job done, but its worth it in the end.
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