[neocolonial1923]

I'm having trouble identifying a wall finishing so I know what to do with it.

My house was built in 1923 but I don't know when this was installed but I think it's original. The room is a screened sleeping porch. The coating is sandy and rubs off easily. There appears to be lathe underneath but I'm not sure about wire. The rest of plaster in the house has wire mesh.

We don't use the room much but would like to use it more. If it's possible to paint it and move on, that would be ideal. Do we need to seal or skim coat it in some way or can we just try to prime and paint?

Thanks in advance for your help!

best,
neocolonial1923

 

[Windows on Wash]

Probably just a sprayed on stucco coating with a knock down finish.


Before you go demo'ing it out or making dust, make sure it doesn't have asbestos in it.

 

[neocolonial1923]

Thanks. Asbestos is a concern for sure. Any advice about prepping it for painting?

 

[ClarenceBauer]

You have a finish that is made to look like Travertine Stone.
It is done by applying Baking Soda / Rock Salt in to the finish coating when the Salts dissolve the voids are left.
The cause for the softness & dusting is the salts over time degrading the plaster.
As for repair you will need to remove all loose / unsound or detached plaster.
For a repair material you can use a type "N" mortar.

 

[neocolonial1923]

You have a finish that is made to look like Travertine Stone.
It is done by applying Baking Soda / Rock Salt in to the finish coating when the Salts dissolve the voids are left.
The cause for the softness & dusting is the salts over time degrading the plaster.
As for repair you will need to remove all loose / unsound or detached plaster.
For a repair material you can use a type "N" mortar.

Thank you. I'm fairly new to this kind of work, but I'll look into the type "N."

Faux Travertine... Fancy... *smh* :vs_unimpressed:

 

[neocolonial1923]

@ClarenceBauer Thanks again. I've just had another look at it. The entire space is in pretty good shape. Apart from the chip in the photo, the rest is in good repair except for that sandy quality. The sandy quality is OK to mortar over as long as it's solid on the wall? If I start sanding it, I think i'll have to go until it's all gone. It's just so... crumbly.

 

[ClarenceBauer]

To make sure you get a good bond to the existing you can use a bonding agent.
The best I would recommend is BA-57 if my old memory is correct it is manufactured by Master Wall.
What type of finish are you looking for? Smooth, Textured?
Also you can add color to most plaster finishes.
Is this room open to the elements or is it a conditioned space?
The reason for the question is it would depend on what materials can be used for a good repair.

 

[neocolonial1923]

Smooth finish would be best but it's not critical.

It's protected from the elements so it won't get moisture exposure but it's not conditioned. The lower half of the space is walls and with newly installed windows that surround it above. There used to be a space for water to flow out but we're closing that and it should be fairly tight but it's not heated and temperatures here in Central New York are cold in the winter. The attached photo is from before we closed the water outlet and replaced the windows.

It's on the east side of the house so it gets sun in the morning but it's shaded in the afternoon. If we can get these pesky walls straightened out it should be nice for hanging out and reading 2.5/4 of the seasons.

I've been thinking about colored plaster... Hm.

 

[ClarenceBauer]

Smooth finish would be best but it's not critical.

It's protected from the elements so it won't get moisture exposure but it's not conditioned. The lower half of the space is walls and with newly installed windows that surround it above. There used to be a space for water to flow out but we're closing that and it should be fairly tight but it's not heated and temperatures here in Central New York are cold in the winter. The attached photo is from before we closed the water outlet and replaced the windows.

It's on the east side of the house so it gets sun in the morning but it's shaded in the afternoon. If we can get these pesky walls straightened out it should be nice for hanging out and reading 2.5/4 of the seasons.

I've been thinking about colored plaster... Hm.

For what you have I would recommend that a light weight plaster be used.
You should look @ using a Veneer Plaster that will not add a lot of thickness yet let you have a smoot finish.
The Best Material I can think of is a product called Master of plaster it is very user friendly & does not require all the skills of a plaster tradesman.
If a person can do drywall finishing they can do a better finish with this product. To check on this material call Lauren (she is the manufacturer) # 803-403-5252
With the above product you can have a Faux finish , a Marble look or a Limestone texture.