Stephen wrote:
On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:08:20 +0000, Tim S wrote:

You could damp the wall down first - my dad used to do this and his plaster
patches didn't have any problems. Either flick a wet brush at it or use a
plant sprayer.

Thanks, yes I had done this (I once saw pro do it when he plastered a
wall for me).

The idea of wetting surfaces has really been outmoded by pva I think.
It's certainly a more reliable system for d-i-yers. I've known surfaces
that would absorb a bucket of water and still give you cracked plaster.
Pva never fails IME.