Home renovations can cost a lot. Many homeowners who want to update the look of their home hesitate to spend on professional renovations. As an alternative, many might tackle a DIY project instead. If you have modest construction skills, you can complete simple jobs such as papering walls, applying plaster, or painting. DIY plastering jobs require that you start with the proper tools. Once you have the right tools, you can achieve a good quality outcome. For plastering, here are the tools you must have:
- You need a good stainless-steel trowel to apply plaster. For beginners, smaller trowels are more manageable and easy to control. Nela trowels are considered to be one of the best brands on the market today. The best Nela plastering trowels are ideal for both amateur and professional plasterers. Another advantage of choosing a stainless-steel trowel is the ease of maintenance. You can store the trowel after use and don’t have to worry about sanding or oiling it. While some may say that a cheap trowel is sufficient for one-time use, you may want to think again because the quality of the trowel will also affect the quality of the finish. Trowels can be purchased online or at hardware stores. Online suppliers carry some of the most popular brands and types of Nela plastering trowel.
- Apart from a trowel, you need to purchase a hawk to hold plaster for application. Lightweight plastic hawks are an ideal option for beginners. You don’t need to spend a lot on a hawk, a cheaper one will do just fine.
- Plaster mixer. For most DIY projects, you may not need to invest in a mixer. However, if you want to be more efficient, you can always rent one.
- Brush or sponge. Keeping the corners and edges clean after applying plaster requires the use of a wet sponge or brush. This tool will help you achieve a professional looking finish to your project. You must invest in a good quality brush with soft bristles that will help smooth the surface of the wall.
After you have invested in the right tools, you need to follow the proper steps to prepare the wall for applying plaster. If the wall has wallpaper, you need to begin by stripping old wallpaper and washing the wall down to remove all residue. Dirt and other stains on the wall may cause the plaster to slip off and not adhere to the surface. Cleaning the wall and removing all residue may seem troublesome, but it is another step that is worth the effort. The next steps in the process include taping cracks on the walls as well as the application of PVA.
Remember that following the steps properly will ensure the success of your DIY project. Patience is important, so don’t skip any of the important steps in the process. DIY projects can be extremely rewarding if you invest in the right tools and follow the step-by-step guide to plastering.