Welcome to DIY Plastering



Learn how to plaster with Paul from DIY Plastering....


Teach yourself the process of plastering with:

Learning the Art of Plastering from this site is still definitely possible.

Learning the Art of Plastering

Would you like to plaster your own house? 
The benefits of actually being able to plaster mean you will be able to save a lot of money and obtain a great sense of achievement.

Imagine standing back after just 2 hours work, to see a nicely smooth plastered wall, ready to paint - and think "I did that!"


Outlay is minimal - the tools needed to start plastering can be obtained for under £50.

Basic tuition is available at this site for free, but for less than the price of a couple of bags of plaster, you can make the most of a Step by Step Guide to Plastering - the Online Plastering School

Online Plastering School

Plastering made seriously simple



(stage 5)

Learn how to plaster with Paul from DIY Plastering....

Teach yourself the process of plastering with:

Learning the Art of Plastering from this site is still definitely possible, but may just take a little longer:


Would you like to plaster your own house? 
The benefits of actually being able to plaster mean you will be able to save a lot of money and obtain a great sense of achievement. Imagine standing back after just 1 or 2 hours work to see a nicely smooth plastered wall ready to paint and think "I did that!"
Outlay is minimal - the tools needed to start plastering can be obtained for under £50.


Recent Articles

  1. Very old house !

    Im applying a finishing coat but because it’s different thicknesses it’s drying at different times and it’s making smoothing out very difficult. Some areas

    Read More

  2. Tearing/Wrinkles

    Skimmed my first plaster board wall using the guide outlined on this page. Turned out quite well. 2mm multi finish coat then 1mm multifinish. When Im

    Read More

  3. Patching up a hole exposing lath

    Hi, thank you for a great site! I took out a fitted wardrobe and it has resulted in a hole in the plaster, exposing the lath. Its about an inch deep. What

    Read More

This is what I was looking for!! Browsing the internet for information on plastering I ran into this tutorial. Very very   Read More


DIY Plastering Step by Step Guide

Information Pages


How to Practice your plastering skills


Introduction

  1. Introduction About using this guide to learn how to plaster at home



Backing Coat

  1. Materials The 3 backing coat plasters
  2. Preparation How to prepare the wall for plastering

Available to members of the Online Plastering School

  1. Applying Backing Coat Details The main principles of application
  2. Using Guides Using guides are a fool-proof way to achieve a totally flat wall.
  3. Straightening Backing Coat Using the straight edge to rule off the plaster. 
  4. Flat Walls What to aim for with the straight edge 
  5. Floating The straight edge will contribute about 80% towards the flatness. The remaining 20% will be achieved through use of the float.
  6. Corners Using angle beads to form external corners
  7. Patching How to repair plastered walls



The Finish (Skim) Coat

  1. How To Skim About the finish coat (skim coat)
  2. The Materials Using multi-finish plaster
  3. About The Trowel important to ensure your trowel is worn in

Available to members of the Online Plastering School

  1. Preparation One of the most important aspects.
  2. Trowel Technique & Control Only the trowel is used to apply and finish the skim coat. There is no magic to skimming – it is the combination of firm pressure combined with the correct angle of your trowel.
  3. Applying Plaster Where on the wall to start
  4. An Overview of the 6 stages of Skimming With a % of completion at each stage.
  5. The first 3 Stages of Skimming There are approximately 6 stages to skimming.
  6. The Final 3 Stages Trowelling the Plaster means to work it smooth.
  7. Repairing plaster Patching with a skim coat


  1. The  Top 10 Plastering Tips
    If you remember nothing else try to keep these in mind.
  2. Coping with Larger Walls & Patching
    Larger areas are possible when you know how to approach them.
  3. How to Practice
    Practicing is cheap & easy to do.
  4. Plastering Wood Laths and Expanded Metal Lathing

How to Plaster Video


Learn how to skim - the basic diy plastering skills needed for skimming a wall

Mixing Plaster

Mixing Plaster

Mixing plaster to the correct consistency is crucial in obtaining good results. Some beginners have a tendency to mix the plaster up too thick which can make it harder to keep the plaster flat and to the correct thickness.



Using your Hawk & Trowel 

Plastering Hawk

The essential, but basic skill for successful plastering. How to load your trowel with the correct amount of plaster without dropping it on the floor.




An Easy Method of Applying Plaster

Plastering made easy

 A short video showing how to apply plaster to a wall. This application provides a methodical way of moving across the wall swiftly and cleanly removing heavy trowel marks by pushing them across the wall.




Skimming Technique 1

Skimming Video

A quick demonstration showing how firm pressure can help. Don't worry about trowel marks or the finish - just concentrate on obtaining a flat even coat. The rest will become possible as the plaster firms up.




Skimming Technique 2

How to Skim

Tips on how to apply a skim coat of plaster.





An Overview of Skimming

How to Plaster

 Learn how to skim - the basic diy skills needed for skimming a wall. 2 coats of finish plaster are applied and 'trowelled' to give a flat, smooth finish. This finish coat is just one aspect of plastering - if the plaster backing coat is flat, the finish coat of skim is fairly straightforward. This video is a very quick guide to the art of plastering.


Another Overview of Skimming

Learn to Plaster

How to skim. Some DIY skills can be learnt from reading a book - plastering is probably not one of them You need someone to show you the basics, then much practice is needed. But it is possible to achieve successful plastering whilst practising -- just have a go at the small areas first. This clip is a very quick brief guide to the art of plastering.



Plastering a Ceiling

Plaster a ceiling

Learn how to skim a ceiling - the basic diy skills needed for skimming a ceiling. Plastering a ceiling is possible for a beginner - but it is important to have an understanding of the stages of skimming and how the trowel can work for you.

Probably the best tip: is to not stand directly under your trowel, to avoid getting any plaster in your eye.

Skimming over artex ceilings is possible - if not a bit harder due to the thickness that needs to be applied.

Ceilings can be easier than walls - if you have a good scaffold due to being in a position to provide firm even pressure. 

The drawbacks - they tend to be larger areas, so think about refining your technique on a wall first.

Coping with larger areas



How to Plaster a Ceiling

The video below shows how to plaster a ceiling. The method and process for Skimming over an old artex ceiling  (with speeded up clips to save you getting bored!).  

A coat of PVA was applied to ensure the plaster adheres. This video shows the method of applying the finish coat to a ceiling - the plastering technique is the same as for a wall. Spending time to set up a platform for easy reach, or practice with stilts, will help ensure you stand every chance to gaining a nice flat finish. be prepared for your arm to ache but it will get easier!


DIY Plastering Courses

All courses are 1:1 and 100% Practical


A personalised course really does ensure you learn everything you need to - easily and quickly in a relaxed environment. Should you wish to share the course with a friend then there is a small additional charge. All the basic skills are taught and practised whilst you plaster a wall at your own pace.

The sense of achievement after plastering a wall to a professional standard, in just one day, will leave you full of enthusiasm.

1:1 personalised courses starting from just £75:


DIY Plastering Courses - (1 Participant)

'Skim a Wall' Course Everything you need to know to start skimming.

1 Day Plastering Course Covers Backing Coat (Dot & Dab plaster- boarding or solid backing render coat) & Skim Coat.

2 Day Plastering Course As 1 Day plus ceilings and more practice time to refine your technique.


Lime Courses - (1 Participant)

2 Day Lime Plastering Course

3 Day Lime Plastering Course



DIY Plastering Video
DIY Plastering Online Guides

Learn plastering where and when you want.



Help


Free Help

Learn from home with the DIY Plastering How to Plaster Guide. Plus free videos, information and frequently asked questions to help refine your skills or identify any problems.



The DIY Plastering Courses
In 1 day you will have the basic knowledge and skills to be able to achieve a flat smooth professional finish on a small wall. Then with practice at home you will be able to plaster bigger walls successfully, however the key to success is to achieve good results whilst practicing - so that you can add value to your home. This is the aim of the plastering courses.

The Online Guides
The How to Plaster online guides and DVD can help you plaster successfully especially with the help of online support at any time. Have the 10 Golden Rules in front of you and you stand every chance of achieving a finish to be proud of.


Support
Support is given after the course, and with the online "How to Plaster' Guides, to ensure you can develop your skills further and take on new challenges.


Good results whilst practicing
The DIY Plastering course will teach you how to apply a flat base coat and a skim finish to a professional standard.That is not to say you can be taught how to become a plasterer in just 1 day - but you can learn how to plaster to a good standard.

The DIY Plastering course and online guides will teach you the basic skills of plastering, so that you can practice on your walls at home. The aim of the course and the guides is to ensure that whilst you are practising, a good standard is achieved so that you have a wall to be proud of - ready to accept a coat of paint.

DIY Plastering Network:

Feedback/Achievements

This is what I was looking for!! Browsing the internet for information on plastering I ran into this tutorial. Very very   Read More

Your Feedback:

17-4-2020

Hi Paul

I purchased the online course recently and want to thank you for providing this resources unfortunately  I hope you and your family are well given the  current issues the country is facing.

I’d just like to thank you for the course information. Very detailed and explained in detail. I did a course near me last November which was good but you have explained plastering in a better (for me at least) way. I’m in the process of refurbishing our home (back to brick and bonding) and whilst my plastering is decent enough I do struggle in one area and I wonder if you have any tips. It’s mainly the skirting board line I struggle to get perfectly straight any suggestions?

Anyway keep up the excellent videos and stay well.

Ste

Read Answer

Excellent DVD

I bought the 'Plastering made seriously simple' DVD because I'd attended a short course at another establishment and was a little confused. I watched Paul's DVD and it finally made sense. The day after watching it I plastered a small bedroom with great results. If the DVD is this good, I wish I'd attended a course!

read more

Helpful Vids

Enjoyed the vids Paul realy helpful advice gave me some confidence well worth the money best i've watched

Shaun

Recent SOS Subjects

  1. Very old house !

    Im applying a finishing coat but because it’s different thicknesses it’s drying at different times and it’s making smoothing out very difficult. Some areas

    Read More

  2. Tearing/Wrinkles

    Skimmed my first plaster board wall using the guide outlined on this page. Turned out quite well. 2mm multi finish coat then 1mm multifinish. When Im

    Read More

  3. Patching up a hole exposing lath

    Hi, thank you for a great site! I took out a fitted wardrobe and it has resulted in a hole in the plaster, exposing the lath. Its about an inch deep. What

    Read More

  4. Just wanted to say thanks!

    Before...
    Hi Paul, I've been learning from your course, and plastered my first wall today. It was in a right state as it used to be a kitchen with tiles which

    Read More

  5. Solid Plastering

    Hi Paul, Many thanks for the great site! Apologies for the lengthy text. I have a joining wall in a downstairs hallway in 1910ish terraced property.

    Read More


diy plastering

Completed by Dan after a 2 day course


Having attended Paul's two-day plastering course I can highly recommend it to the keen novice. I have no background in building, apart from a bit of DIY, but found the course extremely useful. 

Read more

Graham C - Hertfordshire


successful Diy Plastering

Completed by John after a 2 day course


Testimonials

DiY Plastering Course

Paul does exactly what he says on the website. Learn to plaster from day one. Brilliant!!!

Fantastic teacher. I attended the two day course on the 6/7 June and I have already skimmed two walls with fantastic results, and I am now confident and looking forward to plastering my hall and stairs.

Paul I really can't thank you enough.

Mohamed



Hi Paul

I wanted to thank you very much indeed for a top quality day in the (previously) dark art of plastering. I now have much more confidence and knowledge to tackle some jobs on my own, all thanks to your very detailed and learner-friendly course.

You looked after me a treat (endless cuppas and chocolate) and the content and pace was spot on.

Many thanks once again, and if ever you need a referral for folk wanting to know more about the course, please use me / contact me and I'd be happy to help.


Once again, many thanks.


Best regards

Andrew

Plastering SOS

Find solutions to your problems

Read More