There is one thing you need to get right when plastering and that’s knowing how to mix plaster. This is one fundamental that you NEED to get perfect from the beginning.
It can be the difference between a total success or an absolute failure – the mix is everything. You couldn’t just add random ingredients and measurements to a cake and expect it to come out looking like a lovely Victoria sponge.
There’s a science that you need to follow when mixing plaster and I’m going to show!
You will learn the formula on how to mix plaster and I’ll tell you exactly what happens if you get it wrong. This is a big one! knowing how to get the perfect mix will save you a lot of stress.
First thing’s first you’ll need to know what equipment you’ll need:
- Mixer (preferably electric)
- Bucket Trowel
- 2/ 3 buckets
- Mixing bucket or Gorilla tubs
- Fresh, clean water
- Finish plaster (I’m mixing British Gypsum multi finish)
Heres is a video that shows you everything you need to know if you want to skip reading:
How much water do I need?
According to British Gypsum, you should mix 11.5 litres of water to one bag of multi-finish plaster. Now without sounding too self-explanatory, if we follow this advice we should get the perfect amount of water to plaster ratio. Sounds simple right?
Well, there is one big problem; this is absolute rubbish! It’s way to little water and your mix ends up too thick. 12.5 litres is the amount I go by (possibly 12.5 – 13 depending on how you like your mix).
The black standard buckets (the £1 ones from B&Q) can hold a maximum limit of 12 litres. However, this is the measurement when it’s full to the brim so we’ll take a bit off.
So the theory us plasters go through is roughly one full bucket of water to one bag of plaster! Easy. A better solution would be to get a big mixing bucket where the measurements are engraved on the side. This is what I recommend if you’re new to plastering.
You can see the exact amount to use and there isn’t any guesswork. This way you can see what the perfect mix looks like and eventually it won’t be important because you will just know how much water to use.
In the meantime, I would use the buckets with the measurements engraved on the side.
You can buy these from Amazon – a good one is the Draper 12100 Plasterers Mixing Bucket. It’s strong, easy to mix in and has the measurements clearly labelled on the inside of the bucket. Simply pour 12.5 litres of water and following these simple guidelines.
(PSSS.. I know this is a lot of information to take in but you can save this article. This way you’ll have all the measurements and equipment you need ready for when your mixing.)
[postgopher name=”Mixing plaster” pid=”219″]WANT TO SAVE THIS ARTICLE? DOWNLOAD THIS POST AS A PDF >>CLICK HERE<< [/postgopher]
How to mix plaster
You have your water in the bucket which is accommodating for 1 whole bag of multi-finish plaster. Here is the best way to mix your plaster.
- Always make sure your water is in the bucket first
- Add a third bag of plaster into your water
- Use your electric mixer and start mixing the plaster
- Add another third bag of plaster to your mix and mix again
- Scrape the edges of the bucket to remove any dried plaster. This prevents any unmixed materials from contaminating your plaster.
- Finally, add the remainder of the plaster to your mix, mix it all up at a high speed and scrape the edges to maintain an even consistency.
- Clean your mixer
Following these simple steps will give you the perfect mix of plastering.
Advice on mixing plaster
There are a few things you need to consider. Always use clean water and always clean your mixer before and after use.
This prevents any stones, dirt or grit from contaminating your plaster mix. Trust me when I say there is nothing worse than stones and dirt getting in your plaster. You spend all your time picking bits out of your newly plastered walls.
Keep your tools clean and as mentioned, always use clean water!
The second thing to consider is that everything one has a preference for the thickness of the plaster they use. Some people like it thick whilst others like it runny. You will find your ideal mix with time and it just becomes second nature. Everyone is different so don’t be scared to experiment.
You won’t even measure as time goes – you will just know (sounds like Neo from the matrix or something but its true). Following this simple tutorial will show you how to mix plaster. Take your time, give it a go and get skimming! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more advice on plastering for beginners.