Replies

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jan 23, 2004 05:56pm | #1

   Use the advanced search for "veneer plaster". You will find some discussions on this.

   This is the article that he is talking about;

   http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00132.asp

2. 
   painter | Jan 23, 2004 06:12pm | #2

   Here in the Northeast from Providence R.I. and east we usually veneer on high end jobs only, but the reason for it is that we have a labor pool of plasterers.Most other area ,even in the East do not.This is not a thing like spreading compound to patch a hole or do dry wall.It is all about experience not desire 

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Jan 25, 2004 07:33pm | #4

   spiff.... when i got started in the '70's everything was drywall... matter of fact, my drywaller was Jeff... the guy who started Kingston Tool ( now Quaker Lane Tool) after he screwed up his back..

   anyways.... when veneer came out, a lot of Connecticut  builders picked up on it,, both Diamond & Imperial.. and some of the old line plasterers jumped on it..... by the mid-'80's drywall was gone in southern RI  ( you know... 30 miles south of you ).... now i almost never see drywall.... it's about  90 % veneer

   mostly DIY  and commercial are the only drywall we see...

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

   Edited 1/25/2004 11:36:36 AM ET by Mike Smith

1. 
   BossHog | Jan 27, 2004 07:55pm | #7

   Funny how different things are from one region to the next.

   I haven't seen a plaster job that was done since the 1960s.I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally [WC Fields]

3. 
   TMCC | Jan 25, 2004 11:44am | #3

   HELLO,

        I ALSO READ THAT ARTICLE. I DID A SEARCH ON VENEER PLASTER AND NOTHING MUCH ELSE COMES UP. PLEASE ADVISE OF ANY GOOD LEADS YOU COME UP WITH ON MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS. THANKS

                                                                TOM

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Jan 25, 2004 07:34pm | #5

   go to a USG site and look up Diamond or Imperial PlasterMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   RustyNail | Jan 27, 2004 07:47pm | #6

   Diddo what Mike said.  Go to USG's or National Gypsum's website.  The most common USG product used is Diamond (finish coat), with Imperial taking 2nd.  (Imperial provides a harder final finish, but is also harder to work with. 

   I've used USG products, with the exception of the Kal-Kore "blue board"... primarily due to availability of the products.  If you look through USG's website, they have some pretty good information.  And when in doubt, call their hotline (I think it's 1-800-USG-4YOU ??)  They can tell you local distributors, further product information, etc. 

4. 
   MojoMan | Jan 27, 2004 09:29pm | #8

   Veneer plaster is the standard residential wall finish in my area, too (between Boston and Providence). It is done by skilled tradespeople who usually specialize in plastering. I don't think I've ever seen a DIY job. I always sub it out. (But I look forward to a warm day, because I have a textured garage patch to do and want to give it a try.)

   There are a few advantages over drywall and mud: It's quick. One visit and the job is done. It has a higher quality feel since there's a nice, hard coat of plaster everywhere. No sanding and little dust.

   If you can find the material and want to gve it a try, start in a place such as a garage, basement or closet where quality may not be a big issue. While I've watched good plasterers work and they make it look easy, I suspect it's actually pretty difficult to do well. You only have a small window of working time and once the plaster sets up, it's too hard for much sanding. A texture can be applied to the wet plaster, and this is less demanding and may be a good way to start.

   Al Mollitor, Sharon MA

5. 
   florida | Jan 28, 2004 01:09am | #9

   Skim coat plaster is not a DIY job unlerss you're already very skilled with a hawk and trowel. If only it were as easy as the article makes it sound we'd all be doing it. It takes years of practice to develop the necessary techniques AND muscles.

1. 
   RW | Jan 28, 2004 02:23am | #10

   I'll echo that. Having done some veneer plaster before, it's not the easiest thing to get the hang of. It would help significantly if you already had a good comfort level with either drywall knives or concrete tools, being a mix of both of those. The hawk will wear your shoulder down to be sure until you get used to it. Kind of like  a brand new belt. Cuts in the first week until the sores go numb :-)"The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters