1

Plasterworks
There is always something to
cover up.
2
Plaster provides
A smooth surface
Sound insulation
Moisture insulation
3
Mixture 1:1:6
4
Lime
Lime gives the smooth white surface
desired for walls.
Lime bonds with concrete and bricks
Without lime the plaster would be rough.
5
Lime Preparation
Lime needs to be dissolved in water a day
ahead, otherwise it will not mix
smoothly with sand. Build a tub or use
a number of barrels to mix lime with
water for the next day.

6
Lime Tub
7
Plastering a Wall
Makes Life smoother
8
You need
2m
7..10
cm
A Straight Edge made of
planed wood or aluminum
9
A Gauging Trowel
10
Finishing Trowel
11
Sponge Rubber Float
12
Make yourself a Float
This wooden plank with the handle is ideally
suited for floating, plastering and leveling
(60X15X2cm plank)
The thickness of the handle should be 4cm
13
External Angle Trowel
14
Internal Angle Trowel
15
Lath Hammer
16
Water and Brush
17
Mortar Mixing Tray
Be a professional. Work with
proper tools.
18
Make yourself a tray
80
100
32
140
19
You need two boards
Thickness 20 mm
20
You need two of this as well
30
60
40
Thickness 20 mm
21
And a Bottom Board
76
36
Thickness 20 mm
22
And prepare your mortar
23
Portable Scaffolding
Be a professional
24
Make yourself a Donkey
130
150
50
12
30
75
o

24mm
Planks
25
Draw the Shape on the Floor
130
150
50
12
30
75
o

26
Position the Planks on the
Floor
130
153.5
50
30
75
o

24mm
Planks
27
Mark the lengths and angles
28
Cut the planks and position
them again
29
Add Gussets
30
Nail all gussets on the frame
31
Make another Frame but
different
130
150
50
18
75
o

12
32
Cut the pieces
130
153.5
50
18
75
o

12
33
Nail the gussets on one side
only
34
Insert the element into the
other frame crosswise
First
Frame
35
Add the other leg
36
Nail the gussets
37
Secure it with another cross
brace
38
See how the two frames are
interlocked
1
2
39
As next we need the braces
150
90
30
34cm
58cm
80cm
40
Cut the braces 45
o

34cm
58cm
80cm
Length
You need 4 Nos. of each length
41
Nail the Braces into Position
42
50X50
Braces and Legs
The inner
cross
braces are
not shown
43
With 2 Donkeys and a Plank
40mm Plank
It will be safe to climb
44
Start
How to get it straight
45
The Plaster Thickness should
Average 20mm
46
Fix Pegs on to the Wall
Small pieces of
tiles, glass etc
47
Level the pegs vertically
48
and with the straight edge
horizontally
49
Throw a 10mm Layer on an
area of 1sqm with a trowel
50
This is to create a bonding layer on the
wall
If the ground is concrete increase the
lime and cement ratio; It will stick
better to a smooth surface
Do not work on a larger area than 1
sqm. You will not be able to control the
setting time and level the plaster

51
Velocity
The velocity created by throwing makes
the mortar stick to the surface.
Do not smoothen the surface
The next layer will stick better to a
rough surface

52
Let it set for 10 min
Let the cement set to bond with the
wall. If the plaster is too wet you
cannot level it nor can you apply
another layer
If the layer becomes too dry you will
not be able to level it

53
Apply another layer with
the float
Plaster by adding layer by layer,
building the plaster up to its
required thickness and evenness.
54
Apply another layer with
the float
This time, use the float to add on
layers.
Put the mortar on the float and press
it on the wall by moving
horizontally and then slowly
upwards.
55
Wait again until the mortar sets
in
The mortar has to set again before you can
take the next step.
Timing is everything. If you wait too long the
plaster will be too hard.
If you do not wait long enough the mortar will
be too soft to work on its surface.
56
Wait again
until the mortar sets in
57
The mortar has to set again before you
can take the next step.
Timing is everything. If you wait too long
the plaster will be too hard.
If you do not wait long enough the
mortar will be too soft to work on its
surface.
58
Level the Plaster Surface
Scrape the surface with the straight edge
horizontally and vertically and remove bumps.
Start always from the guide points moving in all
directions to level the plaster.
59
Water the area with a brush
If an area becomes too
hard and cannot be
scraped with the straight
edge apply some water
with the brush
The water will soften the
lime and cement and
allow bumps be cut off
60
Fill up the lower areas
61
After scraping off the bumps fill up those
areas that are lower.
Then scrape again with the straight edge
until the entire area is even.
62
Float the area
Now its time to use the float.
Floating means moving the float over the
area in wide circles to level the surface
entirely.
Wet first the plaster with the brush.
63
Float the area
Float first with a large float and then with
a smaller one.
Add some wet mortar. This will help to
achieve a even surface.
64
Water the area with a brush
If the mortar becomes hard water the
plaster with a brush to soften the
plaster
Control the softness of the plaster in
time before it hardens entirely.
65
Equalise Joints
Level with adjoining areas.
The joints must be equalised now
otherwise it will be too late.
Scrape off the bumps or add some
mortar. Wet the joints and smoothen
them fully with the float.
66
Rubber Sponge Floating
If the plaster is even the next step is
floating of cement water
Apply cement water on the surface and
float it with the rubber sponge float to
smoothen the surface

67
Apply Lime
Prepare with lime and water a paste
Apply this paste onto the surface with a
finishing trowel


68
Outside or Inside?
Outside walls are kept rough.They are
not rubber floated.
69
Floor rendering
70
If required, lay a glass-wool
carpet for sound proofing
71
Cement Pegs on the Ground
at Finish Level
72
Pour the Mixture 1:4
73
Distribute the Mixture evenly
with the Straight Edge
74
Distribute the Mixture evenly
with the Straight Edge
75
Level the Surface
76
Let the Cement Set In
77
Float the Surface
78
Smoothen the surface with
the finishing trowel
79
Application
This rendering is good for
Carpets
Tiling etc