ᐅ Plastering Quality and Workmanship Specification Q2 / Q3

Hello everyone,

In our new build (condominium) the scope of work specifies that the walls should be plastered and finished to Q2 level.

Since I prefer the look of a "smooth" painted wall, I would like to have the surface skimmed (smoothed) instead of being textured. The goal is to achieve a finish like the one in the attached picture.

Experiences with painting Q2 finishes seem to be very mixed. Would you recommend going up to Q3 instead? Can the look in the picture be achieved by smoothing the plaster?

Thanks in advance for your support
Ingo

The surface in your photo looks terrible. Q3 means properly smooth, not a cratered landscape (which is also not what Q2 looks like). Whether Q3 is ready for painting right away depends on the plasterer.

nordanney schrieb:

The surface in your photo looks terrible.
Q3 means properly smooth, not crater-like (which isn’t what Q2 looks like either). Whether Q3 can be painted directly depends on the plasterer.

Thank you for your reply. The photo was really just meant as a rough reference.

But basically, am I correct in understanding "smoothed" correctly?

With a Q3 finish, I should have the best chance of getting a reasonably smooth wall, right?

If Q3 is only "so-so," then the plasterer has not delivered good quality work. Try searching for "plaster quality" on Google and read the first results. That will give you more information.

I have now asked for a quote on what a smooth Q3 finish would cost, let's see. I think I won’t be satisfied with Q2 in the long run :/

biyk001 schrieb:

I don’t think I’ll be happy with Q2 in the long run :/

We are currently facing the same decision, and online you often read that Q2 can just as well be skipped. It seems to be the standard, especially in newly built rental apartments.

Why do you think you wouldn’t be happy with it?