Skim coating wall help - DIY Chatroom

pesphoto · 05-03-2007, 12:16 PM

Hi,
I've decided to skim coat a few of my rooms. Ive been reading about it, but was wondering if anyone here might have some advice. Best products to use over horsehair walls? Tools? How many coats, etc?
First timer doing this.....Thanks.

KUIPORNG · 05-03-2007, 04:10 PM

the book I read for skim coating is for smooth walls, looks like your wall is not smooth... so I don't know if you use the right term skim coating... or you are talking about texturing the walls...

J187 · 05-03-2007, 04:23 PM

I'm not sure plaster skim coating is something you'd be able to pull off on your first attempt. From what I understand it is very challenging. You might have better luck drywalling over the old plaster.

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 05-03-2007, 08:43 PM

Yes, to try to first repair the damaged and separated horsehair plaster......and then skim coat over it is a very tedious and laborious job for a DIYer.

Some Information:

http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief21.htm

I second the suggestion to go over the walls with Sheetrock and drywall. This is the method we suggest to home owners in such a situation. It is cost effective and provides a permanant repair.

We have done this many times with always great results using 3/8" sheetrock.
Often, you have to remove some of the trim work.

We are currently working on 3 older apartment units in Lynn, MA this week, using the method mentioned.
If I had time to get up to that job, I'd take pictures, but I am just too busy with other projects we have.

Here is a picture of a job where we did exactly what I described above. This one was completed about 2 months ago in Saugus, MA. (wish I had the 'before' pics)