Looking for plasterers

Hello,

I’m seeking recs for a plasterer who can do a nice plumb 3-coat plaster job on up to couple thousand square feet. I think we will work in air lime, but applying the lime is pretty similar to applying structolite, and I can supply the material, so if you know a good plasterer who works in gypsum, I’d be interested in having that conversation. I’m looking for someone who can work fast and knows how to float plaster, and definitely not a GC to sub it out. Thanks in advance!

Urban Dad

hkapstein

in General Discussion 6 years ago

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hkapstein | 6 years ago

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Gauging plaster was historically used to accelerate the set up of plasters to adjust for conditions. It is a gypsum material, and was originally mixed with lime plaster but now has other uses. Mr. Anonymous plaster expert, are you from European plaster co?

jenna.lifetime | 6 years ago

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We still use guaging plaster regularly as well as different other plastering products depending on exactly what’s required
But yes it difficult to find an old school plasterer today

stevecym | 6 years ago

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urbandad, i know i could google this, but have you ever heard of “gauging plaster”?

it is a shame, but years ago i used to hear about men talk about plaster and its application. those guys are gone.

hkapstein | 6 years ago

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Ok, and who is this? Do you get an acceptable finish using a bag hydrated lime without adding gypsum or Portland? Generally the thinking is that it doesn’t set up well enough and the putty should be run from fresh quicklime.

Were you perhaps using NHL lime as opposed to air lime? That makes more sense. I considered this but I wasn’t sure it would be cheaper or better than using a real air lime putty. I’m very interested in hearing about your experience. Want to chat?

jenna.lifetime | 6 years ago

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We seldom if ever use Structure light as there are more durable plastering materials to use as a base-coat plus structure light is prone to cracking .
We used lime for many years and yes it does come in 50lb bags,Lime can be applied several inches thick while that is not possible with the gypsum finish products such as diamond.

hkapstein | 6 years ago

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So I’ve met with several plasterers about my project, and I still have a few to meet. The good news is, so far I’ve been very impressed with everyone I’ve spoken to. There are some really talented folks working with plaster every day here in Brooklyn. Everyone uses structolite which is a gypsum plaster, but there seems to be a lot of interest in trying the lime product. I’m going to prepare some samples so we can experiment with it a little.

Lime plaster has many advantages over gypsum, but it cannot be stored or sold in bags, and it doesn’t exist in drywall form, so it’s use is mainly reserved for major historical restoration projects where the mortars and plasters are custom made for the project. A similar product is also used for topcoating drywall in venetian plaster finishes, but in these cases the base is gypsum with only a very thin coating of finish lime.

Recently though, the lime has been seeing some interest as a greener alternative to exterior stuccos, and it’s become a little easier to obtain good quality lime putties. Since lime plaster is similar to gypsu m in terms of labor required for application, I think it could be worth using in these types of projects and I’m excited to see how this job works out.

If anyone has any experience or advice about this, I’d love to hear it.

hkapstein | 6 years ago

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Well if they are already mentioned heavily on the forum, I probably know who they are, and I may work with one of those folks. The lime plaster I don’t think is that different, and I’ll have some technical support on this, but it’s something I need to discuss with the plasterer. However the process is basically the same. The lime will come premixed in buckets, so there will be no mixing. Different formulas for the base and the finish coats would be used. Most plasterers I’ve talked to were open to it.

greenworks | 6 years ago

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If that came across as snotty at all it wasn’t meant to be — just trying to get my head around the materials you want to work with and how different they are —

greenworks | 6 years ago

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I’m assuming you want someone different than the plasterers who have already been recommended a ton on the forum?