I have read with great interest the article from Mario Rodriguez “A New Way to Repair Old Plaster” (Fine Homebuilding 103, pp 90-93 July 1996). He uses #00 masons sand in drywall mud. Was looking for feedback as to experience folks have had with this ‘recipe’, ie long term results, durability, etc. and is the 00 sand like the fine sand that you find at Lowes for sand boxes? Having trouble finding something labeled #00. Thanks.
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Greetings skh,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
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Thanks for the help.
skh
So is that going to be sand in a setting-type compound? Can someone elaborate on the technique being discussed?
<<and is the 00 sand like the fine sand that you find at Lowes for sand boxes?
Having trouble finding something labeled #00>>
No, it's not the same.
<<He uses #00 masons sand in drywall mud.>>
You answered your own question, It's mason's sand not play sand.
Try a mason's supply house, or a real lumberyard, not the big boxes.
Geoff
Its been quite a few years since I did one of these types of repairs -- used to do them all the time when I live up north (in a town with thousands of homes that had horse-hair-and sand plaster).
I used a three coat build up to get the required thickness. The first coat was setting-type drywall mud to which I added both sand and synthetic string fibers. I would generally just cut up some nylon string, and untwist it till it completely unraveled. Then I snipped the fibers into very short pieces. Just stirred the entire mess till it looked consistent. Lay it on rather thick -- build till you are very close to the surface of the surrounding walls. Before it sets up, scratch the surface with whatever you have - a stick or nail will do. The scratches will help hold the next coat.
Second coat was the same, but no fibers -- and note that the sand in the second coat mest be rather fine and soft. (First coat could be big and rough.) Lay this on almost as if it were a finish coat -- coming all the way to the surrounding surface, and meeting all the edges. Make this coat as smooth as you can.
Topcoat was setting type mud with no additives. Spread this coat beyond the edges of the patch -- just like you would if you were putting the final coat on taped drywall seams.
I did some of those type repairs in a house that I lived in. I moved out twenty years later, and the wall was still sound.
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