How to plaster drywall correctly

One of the most important steps in giving your walls and ceilings a smooth, polished finish is plastering drywall. Gaining proficiency in this area can have a big impact on how your interior surfaces turn out, whether you’re building a new building or remodeling an existing one. Using the appropriate equipment and methods, you can make a perfect base that’s prepared for paint or wallpaper.

It’s crucial to gather all required supplies and set up your workspace correctly before starting. This entails making certain that the drywall is put firmly and that all joints and seams are well-taped. In the long run, careful planning can save you time and avoid common problems like uneven or cracked surfaces.

There are a few essential steps in applying plaster to drywall: blending the plaster to the proper consistency, distributing it uniformly, and smoothing it out to produce a smooth finish. With a little perseverance and attention to detail, you can master each of these steps and gradually improve your technique.

We’ll take you step-by-step through the entire procedure in this guide, from assembling your equipment to applying the last layer of plaster. These tricks and strategies will help you complete your drywall projects with professional-caliber results, regardless of whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or an aspiring professional.

Step Description
1. Prepare the Surface Clean the drywall and remove any dust or debris.
2. Apply Primer Use a drywall primer to ensure better adhesion of the plaster.
3. Mix the Plaster Follow the instructions on the plaster package to mix it properly.
4. Apply the First Coat Use a trowel to spread a thin, even coat of plaster over the drywall.
5. Smooth the Surface After the first coat dries, smooth it with sandpaper to remove any imperfections.
6. Apply Additional Coats Repeat the process with additional coats until the surface is smooth and even.
7. Final Sanding Once the last coat is dry, do a final sanding to achieve a smooth finish.
8. Clean Up Remove dust and debris from the area to prepare for painting.

Features of drywall

Building materials known as gypsum cardboard (GKL) come in sheets and are made up of a gypsum core and two layers of construction paper. These sheets are used to sheet various surfaces, and various constructions are made. Drywall is fastened to the walls using screws or adhesives that are appropriate for the job.

Drywall is weaker than stone, brick, concrete, and wood, so extra protection is frequently required. Often, self-tapping screw caps protrude unsightly, and drywall sheets break at the edges and corners. Plaster can be used to conceal any of these flaws, though not all fixes are appropriate for GCL. Plaster that is too heavy will distort the sheets, and plaster that is too wet will break down and lose strength. As a result, the best way to plaster drywall is a complex question that necessitates careful consideration.

A few essential procedures must be followed when plastering drywall to guarantee a smooth, long-lasting surface that is prepared for painting. Make sure the drywall is clean and that the joints are properly taped before beginning. Thin, even layers of plaster should be applied; let each layer dry fully before applying the next. Smoothly apply the plaster with a wide knife or trowel, and lightly sand in between coats to remove any imperfections. Achieving a polished finish that will improve the overall appearance of your walls requires patience and close attention to detail.

Why is plastered plastering drywall

The drywall’s paper layer is not very appealing. It must be painted or covered with ornamental materials like wallpaper. However, joining the sheets is required when forming walls, ceilings, and partitions, and through thin finish materials the fastener hats and seams will show through. As a result, a plane of GKL plaster coating is smoothed out prior to painting or applying wallpaper.

Other circumstances where plastering is required are as follows:

  1. Subsequent application of decorative plaster. To improve the quality of adhesion to decor, first ordinary plastering work is performed.
  2. The need for additional protection. Plaster will help protect GKL from insects, rodents, mold, external influence.
  3. Flooding and bending of sheets. When there is no way to fix the damaged designs, some problems can be solved by plastering.

It must be applied to the entire drywall sheet or just the joints and seams. In any event, plastering using standard techniques is feasible when dealing with moisture-resistant materials. Due to the water content of simple plaster, ordinary GKL sheets will eventually deteriorate. They can only be used with a construction mixture that doesn’t release any moisture.

Plaster and putty – what is the difference

Both of these materials are used to align different surfaces, so they have a general purpose. But there’s a big distinction between putty and plaster:

  • The plaster allows you to smooth out significant irregularities in the walls, ceilings, and putty eliminates only small defects;
  • The plaster is characterized by the content of large particles, so it is used for more rough leveling, in putty, the size of the grain is very small, it lays out with a thin layer;
  • plaster is needed for black leveling, and putty – for finish (although thin -grained putty also allow finish work);
  • plaster is usually applied with a thicker layer than putty (in the last layer does not exceed 1-3 mm);
  • The strength of the plaster is higher than putty, but the shrinkage is also more significant;
  • plaster can be applied immediately to a large area, and then leveled, and putty is applied only to small portions and smoothed out by a spatula.

To select a truly appropriate tool, these characteristics should be considered when selecting a material for finishing GKL.

Types of drywall

The characteristics and function of the GCL are categorized in the following ways, depending on the core’s makeup:

  1. Wall drywall. Is a standard material based on construction gypsum. Produced in two versions: ordinary and ceiling. The latter is characterized by a reduced thickness and reduced weight.
  2. Moisture -resistant GKL. It is lined with green cardboard, usually used in bathrooms or where its putty is supposed to be. Treated with special impregnations, as well as antiseptics, therefore is not afraid of moisture, fungus and mold.
  3. Gloc. Fire -resistant material with the addition of reinforcing and fiber components. Suitable even for facing fireplaces, chimneys. With direct contact with fire, only the paper part is charged.
  4. Flexible arched drywall. The core of the material contains fiberglass, which is bent in any direction with a radius up to 30 cm. Has a small thickness and high price.
  5. Moistenous GKL. Characterized by the properties of moisture -resistant and fire resistant drywall.
  6. Combined material. Designed for wall insulation, contains a layer of polystyrene foam.

Choosing plaster

Different materials with different compositions and qualities can be used to plaster drywall. It is only permitted to use solutions without water or to turn on the bare minimum for wall and ceiling GKL. All sheets are appropriate for polymer compositions, while cement should only be used for moisture resistance.

Gypsum plaster

Because the material contains gypsum, which cannot withstand moisture, it is used in dry rooms. Plaster with a gypsum base works well with GKL sheets because of their similar composition and quick grasp and freeze times. The following are the gypsum mixture’s benefits:

  • vapor permeability, lack of influence on the microclimate;
  • environmental friendliness and fire safety;
  • Light weight, versatility;
  • simplicity of kneading, applying, restoring damaged areas;
  • minimum shrinkage, lack of cracks;
  • Small expense.

Gypsum plaster has additional drawbacks besides water workers, such as decreased resistance to frost, solution that solidifies too quickly, and difficulty initiating a mass in big batches at once.

Cement plaster

Portland cement is the primary ingredient in this type of building mix. Additives include plasticizers, sand, and other substances. Since most cement plasters are thought to be frost-resistant, exterior work can be done with them. They are long-lasting, resistant to moisture action, quickly and firmly adhere to the base, and easily diluted and applied. You can add more water resistance to moisture-resistant drywall by using cement mixtures.

These plasters’ drawbacks include:

  • large weight, unsuitability for thin sheets of GCL;
  • long set of final strength;
  • Poor tolerance of vibration.

Modern polymer compositions

Polymer plasters are a relatively new invention. Even though they may have a cement or gypsum base, additional polymer materials still define their characteristics:

  • acrylic;
  • silicone;
  • Silovsan, etc. D.

These building mixes quickly gain strength, are elastic, easily tolerate high humidity, do not shrink, and do not degrade when subjected to mechanical stress or vibration. They work well for street work and any kind of room.

These mixtures have a negligible weight, so the drywall wall is not affected. One of the drawbacks is the expensive cost of these products. Furthermore, they are realized in small packages in already divorced form, which isn’t always convenient.

Tools and consumables for work

Tools specific to working with plaster and GKL sheets are used. As you prepare them ahead of time, refer to this list:

  • construction mixer or drill with the appropriate nozzle;
  • metal and rubber spatulas of different sizes;
  • reinforcing mesh (canvas) to strengthen structures;
  • sandpaper with fine grainness;
  • Maslar tape and stationery knife;
  • a bucket or other container, water, rags;
  • screwdriver or screwdriver.

Brushes and rollers might be needed for priming walls in order to align the plaster—a grater, generally speaking.

Features of preparatory work

Prior to sealing the fasteners, the GCL’s surface must be aligned. They examine and feel each sheet to see if there is a self-tapping hat sticking out. If at all possible, they should be carefully and more tightly twisted to prevent the sheet from cracking. Working with a screwdriver will allow you to better control every action. Plaster is then applied to the holes using a crosswise-moving, narrow spatula.

There is an edge in the material’s joints, but occasionally the manufacturer does not form it. You will need to use a sharp clerical knife in this case to cut the ends at a 45-degree angle. If not, there will be low-quality seam construction. GCL chips, additional flaws are filled in with putty or plaster; make sure to reinforce a mesh section. Arks and other curved elements are reinforced with unique internal and external corners.

Moreover, they do the following as a prelude:

  • The GKL is well cleaned of dust, brushing it with dry rags;
  • primed the material with solutions that strengthen the structure;
  • A day later, the condition of the clattered defects is assessed – if there is a shrinkage, they repeat the work.

The technology of plastering drywall

Walls composed of drywall are typically plastered using "on the cut" technology. A wide spatula is used to treat any irregularities with drops smaller than 1.5 cm in one or two layers, with an obligatory drying period in between. The rule flattens the applied composition and presses it up against the GCL’s surface. There are situations where the walls’ curvature is more important. Lighthouses then apply plaster to the drywall. After using sandpaper to smooth out any uneven areas, apply the material in two layers.

For painting

To paint GKL after finishing it, the surface needs to be precisely aligned. Although they are typically limited to 1-2 layers, starting plaster can be applied in two to three layers. The surface is cleaned with a grater in a screw after being lightly sprayed with water and allowed to dry. Finish putty must be applied, and once it has dried, it must be carefully ground to remove even the smallest imperfections.

Under the wallpaper

There is a significant chance that the decoration won’t blend in seamlessly with the wall if the walls aren’t plastered from drywall underneath the wallpaper. Change the wallpaper on the upper layer of the GCL if needed, as they will rip off with them. Careful plastering is done underneath thin, paper-thin fabrics, much like when staining walls.

It is acceptable to use just the initial thin-grained plaster because more dense wallpaper can conceal minor surface flaws. After drying, the wall is wiped, ground, and primed. She will then be prepared to adhere the wallpaper.

To be content ↑

Is it possible to apply decorative plaster to GKL

Plaster with decoration is a finish-related material. These combinations are frequently used for GKL plastering. These kinds of plaster are the most prevalent:

  • relief (textured) – products with rough texture, including various fillers (mineral crumbs, mica, fibers, pebbles);
  • structural – contain quartz or marble crumbs, the finished coating is almost even or slightly embossed;
  • Venetian ones – in their composition there is a fierce lime, marble in the form of a crumb, so the coating imitates a natural stone surface.

The full cycle of priming and preparatory work is done on drywall before any decorative plaster is applied. Putty is applied on top of the thin-layer coatings of the GCL and polished to a flawless sheen.

Using a spatula, cell, or roller, apply finish material while paying attention to the method used to achieve the desired effect. There shouldn’t be too much decoration on the layer. It is painted or covered with varnish once it has dried.

Is it possible to plaster the drywall "Rotband"

Knauf’s "Rotband" gypsum plaster is ideal for use with GKL. This is a high-quality product made in Germany that works well for ceilings and both wet and dry spaces. Gypsum, polymers, fillers, and plasticizers are all included in the Rotbanda. After using such a plaster, the surface is flawlessly smooth. The only drawback that can be identified is that the tools are not appropriate for use with metal, so the screw caps should be properly isolated beforehand.

It is necessary to process a deep-perceptive primer before applying "Rotbanda" in order to improve adhesion with the base and prevent moisture from plaster from penetrating a sheet of GKL. Utilize a 30 cm spatula for work and hold it at a 40 degree angle. Depending on the layer’s thickness, the "Rotbanda" drying process takes 24 to 48 hours.

The ability to plaster drywall is essential to getting a smooth, polished wall finish. You can change the appearance of any room by using the right materials and following the right procedures. Since clean, correctly installed drywall serves as the base for all plaster work, never forget to start there.

Start by filling in the screw holes and seams with joint compound. Spread the compound evenly with a taping knife, then insert drywall tape into the wet compound to reinforce the joints. Sand the surface to smooth out any imperfections after letting it dry. If more layers are needed, apply them, making sure to sand in between to achieve a smooth finish.

After the joints are smooth, cover the whole drywall surface with a thin layer of plaster. To create an even layer, use a plastering trowel and large, sweeping strokes. To prevent lines or ridges, it’s crucial to work in sections and blend each new area with the preceding one. After the plaster has completely dried, lightly sand it to get rid of any small bumps or rough spots.

Examine the wall for any lingering flaws after the last sanding. If necessary, add a little more plaster and sand to these areas. An impeccably smooth wall will have no obvious joints or flaws, making it an ideal surface for painting or additional embellishment.

You can become an expert at plastering drywall by taking your time and being meticulous. Thanks to this ability, your house will look better and have more value because the finish will be flawless and last for years. You’ll become more efficient and confident with practice, which will make tasks in the future much simpler.

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