What tools do I need for plastering?

Before you begin any DIY plastering project, it is important that you have the right plastering tools. Having the right tools will ensure that you are able to learn the techniques involved in plastering, as well as complete the project correctly. Some of the essential plastering tools you will need consist of items such as plaster mix, a variety of trowels, buckets, aluminum or plastic hawk, mixing paddles, and brushes.

One of the most essential items you will need is a Plasterer's Trowel. Although some trowels have been specifically designed for the professional plasterer, there are some great trowels out there for the beginner. The trowel with the pre-worn shape blade is a good one because it is ready to use and does not leave any lines or ripple marks. Plus, the blade is stainless steel, which is ideal when doing any plastering job. Remember that you will be holding the trowel for a large amount of time, so it is important to purchase one with a comfortable handle that fits well in your hand. Trowels come with different types of handles, such as wooden or plastic. Since you will not be wearing gloves while plastering, the handle is important to keep your hands from blistering. You can expect to pay anywhere from £5 to £40 for a plastering trowel.

The Hawk comes in either aluminum steel or plastic and comes with smooth edges and round corners. Since you will be holding the hawk while it is full of plaster, it can become a bit heavy. So be sure to find a comfortable fitting handle to avoid causing blisters. Regular cleaning of your tools is important, especially the trowel and hawk. Your plastering tools can be easily cleaned with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush. The plastering hawk typically costs £5 to £8.

You will also need to purchase a bucket for your plastering work. It is best to get a bucket that is not too flexible since it may become too unsteady once you have it filled with plaster. Since buckets are relatively cheap, try and get more than one. It never hurts to have more than one bucket around. If you have an extra bucket, you can use it for water for regularly cleaning of your plastering tools or for splashing the wall.

Another good tool for renovating plaster is the Splash Brush. You can use either a wide paint brush or a dustpan brush. You will be using the splash brush to splash the wall with water between the second and third stage of the plastering project, right before final smoothing. It can also be used to clean your other equipment.

The Mixing Stick or Mixing Paddle is used during the mixing of the plaster. It is best to not use MDF or chipboard for mixing plaster because it can break off in the mixture. Any stick that is about two feet long will suffice.

Last, but not least, is Plaster Mix. Plaster mix is available in different types and brands. It comes in either gypsum-based plaster or cement-based plaster. Gypsum-based plaster is porous and is used mainly indoors. If it gets too wet it will begin crumbling and deteriorating. Gypsum-based plaster can be found in a variety of forms, but browning, bonding, and metal lathing plaster is the most common. Cement-based plaster is almost always used outdoors and is what is found on the outside of houses because of its resistance to wet or damp conditions. The consistency of cement-based plaster is also very different from gypsum-based because it does not crumble or deteriorate as easily. Plaster mix is relatively inexpensive but does have a short shelf life of three to four months. You can expect to pay around £3 to £5 for a 25 kilo bag. When buying plaster mix, try estimating first how much you will need for the job and once you open the bag try to use it within a few weeks to keep it from drying out. It could be worth while checking out a Plastering Course which will show you how all these tools are used.

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