On 31 Jan 2007 00:38:08 -0800, "mushymanrob"
wrote:

hi

im a pretty practical bloke, i can turn my hand to most things. so im
trying to master plastering as ive no money but have time on my hands!
(im renovating my house).

i started yesterday after purchasing a 'ragni' plastering trowel from
b&q. i also got a whisk and bucket. i had no trouble mixing the
plaster (thistle multi finish , b&q) and got it to the correct
constituency. it went on pretty easy, or so i thought! this morning
its dry, and theres of little ridges and little depressions in the
surface. i thought i had smoothed it off correctly but it seems not.

q) how can i remedy this? a layer of pva (dialuted 5:1) plus a further
skim?

q) how do i avoid this? what am i doing wrong? or is it just down to
learning how to use my trowel correctly? does the trowel need a
sharper edge on it? if so.. square? or beveled?

hope someone can help.... thanks in anticipation .

Not with the immediate problem but what you would have found a help is
a "Plasterers Derby".

The Wickes one is a tenner and is a four foot length of aluminium with
handles on. You use it to go over walls to finish plaster off. It is
fairly easy to use.