Having had half the kitchen plastered (ceiling and largest wall) - the
plaster has "gone missing" and left the job half done. We need it finishing
pretty quickly but it is tricky getting anyone to do the job soon or at a
reasonable price. There are no big walls left, the biggest single area is
about 3' wide x 7' high, a few smaller bits around a box type window, and
two small bits of ceiling above the sink and where a wall was knocked
through. Some is already plasterboarded, I dont think nailing/screwing the
rest of the plasterboard on is a problem (he left a bag of bonding coat for
one section of wall - might have a go with that too as he probaly hasnt left
enough board to do the whole thing). So once it is all boarded, it is just a
matter of skimming it all. I can see that might be tricky on a big wall, but
on relatively smaller sections that can probably be done one at a time
surely it isnt that hard to get an even coat? I do fancy having a go if I
think there is a chance I can do it, but have a few questions...

1) Consistency - I keep reading the plaster should be "creamy" but does that
mean thick cream? Are we looking at something that should drip off the
trowel? I guess it must have to have a certain thickness or when you
transfer from mixing bucket to board it will spread out on drip off the
edge!

2) Do I need to put corner beads on *all* external corners, or just
vulnerable ones?

3) There is a kitchen sink/worktop/base unit already in place that needs to
be plastered up to. Should you really plaster right up to the worktop
surface and base unit sides, or somehow stop just short and then maybe put a
bead of silicone at the join?

4) When skimming over an existing skim coat that has had several layers of
wallpaper on - is it imperative to get every last bit of paper off or can
you plaster over it (I am guessing if you can plaster over paper joining
tape etc then you can go over those stubborn bits of paper that get left
behind?)

I guess if the worst happens it can always be scraped off )


Cheers

Dave.