Dry Wall mud

[PChristy]

Does anyone know if you can patch the old plaster with dry wall mud? We are working on an old house where the paint has peeled off of the walls and the plaster has cracked in alot of places - what is the best way to patch this

 

[Glennbear]

YMMV however my last house had plaster walls and I fixed some cracks by mixing in some plaster of paris with lightweight spackling compound. Sanded it when cured and a final skim coat of unadulterated lightweight spackling compound. Messy, but it worked.

 

[PChristy]

:icon_thum Thanks Glen

 

[PeteM]

If you have small cracks and the plaster is still adhered too the lath Glen's method is fine. For larger cracks or loose plaster you need to secure it to the lath and tape it or the crack will be back.

Check out "Big Wally" . . .
http://www.plastermagic.com/?gclid=COiOoLSjoJsCFQN5xwodLw5WCQ

His stuff is pretty expensive. You can get the washers and screws from McFeely's
http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/RWP-1200/1-14quot-Plaster-Washers-Plain


pete

 

[PChristy]

Boss decided to go with "Water Puddy" it is hard as a brick when it dries - I don't think it is going to work in some of the places but will work in most - his call:dontknow:

 

[RobS.]

I repair plaster all the time with joint compound. Sands a lot easier than spackling, and a lot easier to work with than water puddy. No mixing , it's cheap and less chance of sag. Use the self sticking fibreglass mesh tape for cracks and for large areas I use a 3' x 25' role of mesh that goes up like wallpaper. A good repair should hold up for about 10 years. The repairs on my plaster walls are in their 10th year and still aren't showing themselves, though a couple of new ones have appeared (but the house is soon to turn 90).
Water puddy is good for nail holes or other small holes.

 

[PChristy]

Well we ditched the water puddy idea and went with 1/4 dry wall over the old wall - I am not a dry wall finisher and I really hate putting that tape and mud on :BangHead: