"Tim S" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

the time draws nearer to when I'll have to chase out all the walls for new
electrics.

Got the ALDI chaser and a funny cranked chisel bit for my SDS.

But, I've been thinking - how hard will it be for an eejit like me to
plaster in the chases afterwards? And what should I use? Bonding, then a
skim coat - or browning, or a mixture of Bonding and finishing plaster
(IIRC) laid in one go (heard somewhere that someone swears by this for
patching up).

Is it best to cut the chases tight to the oval conduit, or leave a gap for
the plaster to get round the sides (better grip?)?

The walls appear sound and the final finish will probably be a lightly
textured paper painted with emulsion (no, not woodchip!).

A mate was recommending re-skimming the lot, but it seems a waste and a
lot
of work if the rest of the plaster is good. Granted, you could paint a
re-plastered wall directly and it would look good, as he has (Hello Mark!)

Cheers

Tim


The point is to get a good adhesion to the brickwork and the existing
plaster, so anything that will let this happen is a good thing. I've heard
of a stretchy tape that will bond to the brick surface and grab the plaster
to it. It is something like the plaster bandages they use for setting
broken bones I think. Apply dry and wet and press into the channels to get
it stuck.

Plaster is normally built up with a coat of bonding and a coat of finishing,
so if you can copy that in any wider chases, then great. But it might be
better and cheaper to stick with just finishing plaster throughout the job.

The making of a smooth finish is in the soaking and polishing. After
applying the plaster, leave it for an hour and then soak the surface of it
thoroughly with a paint brush. Slide your plastering float firmly over the
surface to make it smoother. Do this a few times until you are happy that
it's level with the original surface, and is as smooth as a babies
whatsitmabob.

Remove any wallpaper before plastering as well, or your new plaster will be
level with the paper instead of the original plaster surface.

I bet you get the knack of it in no time at all.