Hello,
We are currently in the building planning stage and need some information.
Our contractor's offer states that a lime-cement plaster, type MG II, will be applied and then smoothed. What exactly does this mean? Will the walls be ready for painting afterward? If not, what additional steps are necessary to make the walls smooth enough for painting? Is there a way to apply this plaster so that it is smooth and paint-ready right after application? Maybe someone has a photo for me, as I can’t really imagine what this plaster looks like.
We are currently in the building planning stage and need some information.
Our contractor's offer states that a lime-cement plaster, type MG II, will be applied and then smoothed. What exactly does this mean? Will the walls be ready for painting afterward? If not, what additional steps are necessary to make the walls smooth enough for painting? Is there a way to apply this plaster so that it is smooth and paint-ready right after application? Maybe someone has a photo for me, as I can’t really imagine what this plaster looks like.
S
Sebastian7918 Aug 2016 08:27Well, I have to disagree with you there – at least it seems like the definitions of "smooth" differ. The photos are quite inconclusive – at least in the first photo, I can still make out some of the rough texture of the lime-cement plaster.
Lime-cement plaster can be smoothed to avoid a bumpy surface – although not everyone manages this. But it can never be as smooth as gypsum plaster – trowel marks are often visible. Some people like this rustic look, but for most, it’s not preferable.
A colleague also had his entire house done with lime-cement plaster and painted – to me, it’s just too rough.
Lime-cement plaster is not a typical finishing coat but a very good base coat – the rules state that a finishing coat must be applied on top to achieve the desired result.
In our basement, we left the lime-cement plaster as it was, but on the other two floors, I applied filler and sanded everything again. For the garage, I’m considering whether to just go ahead and apply filler again because those are nice, large surfaces.
Lime-cement plaster can be smoothed to avoid a bumpy surface – although not everyone manages this. But it can never be as smooth as gypsum plaster – trowel marks are often visible. Some people like this rustic look, but for most, it’s not preferable.
A colleague also had his entire house done with lime-cement plaster and painted – to me, it’s just too rough.
Lime-cement plaster is not a typical finishing coat but a very good base coat – the rules state that a finishing coat must be applied on top to achieve the desired result.
In our basement, we left the lime-cement plaster as it was, but on the other two floors, I applied filler and sanded everything again. For the garage, I’m considering whether to just go ahead and apply filler again because those are nice, large surfaces.
Did you do all the filling and sanding yourself? My husband is very skilled with DIY and thinks he could do it on his own. I have some concerns about whether this should be done by a professional. What kind of filler compound should be used, and can you recommend anything? How much time does this usually take?
S
Sebastian7918 Aug 2016 10:57Yes, I did everything myself, and my wife had the same concerns.
You need plenty of time – it took me weeks. But of course, not all at once – it’s really not possible to skim coat and finally sand an entire house in just a few days.
I used Knauf Multifinish – I liked it the best.
If it needed to be really smooth, I then used Knauf Ready-Mixed Finish, which makes it very easy, but it means double the work.
You need plenty of time – it took me weeks. But of course, not all at once – it’s really not possible to skim coat and finally sand an entire house in just a few days.
I used Knauf Multifinish – I liked it the best.
If it needed to be really smooth, I then used Knauf Ready-Mixed Finish, which makes it very easy, but it means double the work.