What to do after plastering the walls: tips from professionals

In order to achieve a perfectly smooth and attractive surface, it is essential to know the appropriate steps to take after plastering the walls. The first step is to remove the guides and address any obvious imperfections using the same plaster mixture. After that, priming and puttying should be done. The final stage involves either painting the walls or applying wallpaper. For a detailed breakdown of each of these steps, please refer to the following article.

Beacons and priming

Drying time for plaster compositions is typically a few weeks, and it is advisable to wait 25-30 days for the plaster to fully strengthen. Once this period has passed, you can determine the next steps to take after plastering the walls. The first task is to remove the beacons, level the surface, and then proceed to apply a primer. After this, you can move on to the next stage and decide on the appropriate type of putty for the walls, as described below.

The initial steps are as follows:

1. Remove the beacons. If the beacons are made from corrosion-resistant material, it is not necessary to remove them. However, if you plan on finishing the walls after plastering, it is recommended to remove the beacons. Some materials may rust, while others may expand or contract with temperature changes, which can weaken the plaster layer and lead to cracks.
2. Removing the beacons immediately, preferably within a few hours, is the first step to take after plastering. If it has been a few days or weeks, the task becomes more challenging, but it can still be accomplished manually. Pliers and a plaster scraper are the tools needed for the dismantling. It is advisable to first remove a portion of the layer.
3. Now it is clear how to proceed after plastering the walls with gypsum plaster. The grooves that remain after removing the beacons need to be filled with the same composition. In damp areas or on the exterior surface, it is recommended to use a cement mixture, while in dry rooms, gypsum is the better choice.
4. After applying plaster to the walls, the next step is to determine the next course of action. During the plastering process, there are often splatters and sweat that solidify and create an uneven surface. These imperfections need to be carefully cleaned, and the evenness of the surface can be assessed using a straightedge.
5. Once the plastering is complete, the next step is to apply a primer to the surface. This helps to smooth out any dents or cracks, and prepares the surface for the application of a basecoat putty.
6. Once the walls have dried, they can be further leveled. One option is to use sandpaper or an abrasive cloth for this task. However, if a grinding machine and the necessary attachments are available, it is much easier to use those.
7. In the final stage of preparation, the walls are wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any dust, and a vacuum cleaner can be used to ensure a clean surface.

The main stage – putty

Many users often ask themselves if it is required to putty the walls after plastering. This step is indeed necessary, as the previous steps are only meant to prepare the walls.

Choice of putty

To achieve a perfectly even surface for finishing purposes, it is important to understand the necessary steps to take after plastering the walls. One crucial step is determining the appropriate type of putty to use. There are three main types of putty based on their composition:

1. Starter putty: This type has a granular consistency and is composed of quartz sand. It is mainly used for the initial processing stage, where it helps eliminate significant defects and cracks.
2. Finish putty: With a fine fraction, this type of putty is applied on top of the starter putty in a thin layer of approximately 2 mm. It produces a glossy surface that can be easily sanded.
3. Another option to consider after applying cement plaster is universal plaster, which serves as both a starting and finishing solution. This versatile composition is applied in a single layer, simplifying the overall process. However, it is worth noting that universal plaster tends to be more expensive than other options.

If you are considering the best option for wall putty after plastering, it is important to understand the different types of mixtures available based on their composition:

1. Cement – this is the most common and versatile variety, suitable for both interior and exterior applications. It is known for its resistance to moisture, temperature changes, and sunlight.
2. Gypsum – highly malleable and capable of creating a perfectly smooth surface, it is mainly used for interior work. When deciding what to do after plastering walls, if you plan to paint, gypsum putty is the recommended choice.
3. Polymeric – these putty mixtures are made from acrylic, latex, or polymer cement. They are especially resistant to high humidity and temperature fluctuations. Although they may be more expensive, they provide long-lasting durability.

How to putty the walls

Now that the wall plastering is complete, it is time to move on to the next step – puttying. This process is carried out in several stages, with each stage requiring its own set of tools:

1. To start, prepare the mortar according to the instructions and begin the initial puttying. For this step, you will need a large-sized trowel. Hold the trowel at a 30-degree angle to the wall and apply the putty in a diagonal motion. You can also apply multiple overlapping layers to ensure a smooth finish without any bumps.

After plastering the walls, the next stage involves treating the corners to ensure they are even. To do this, use a corner spatula and a smaller-sized spatula. Apply a thin layer of putty to the slope using the smaller spatula, and carefully level the corner using the corner spatula.

1. For the final processing, you will require a large and a small spatula. In this case, the compound is applied in a thin layer of only 2 mm. The small spatula is used to apply the compound onto the larger one, and then it is spread evenly over the surface.
2. Once the previous layers are completely dry, you need to determine how to level the walls after plastering. To do this, the same tools (spatulas of varying sizes) are used. The compound is applied as a second layer, and then you can proceed with wallpapering or painting.

Finishing

Once the walls have been prepared and plastered, the next step is quite evident. It is important to move on to the final touches, which include either painting or applying wallpaper.

Painting

Once the putty has been applied, it is important to let it dry for a minimum of 24 hours. Following this, the walls should be meticulously examined by shining angled light onto them and then gently sanded with sandpaper. Afterwards, a thorough vacuuming and brushing with a hair brush should be done to remove any lingering dust particles. The necessity of using putty after plastering is without question. It is precisely the putty that ensures a flawlessly smooth surface, which can be further verified by running a damp sponge over it. If there are any remaining dark spots that absorb moisture, it is necessary to apply a primer before proceeding with painting.

Wallpapering

If you are intending to put wallpaper on the walls after plastering them, it’s sufficient to apply only the base coating. You can then assess how the wallpaper will appear. Once it has dried, attach a sample piece to the surface and check for any yellowish spots showing through. If there are no issues, proceed to sand the wall, clean off any dust, and apply wallpaper adhesive. Allow it to dry once more before beginning the wallpapering process.

After reading this review, it became evident what steps to take post plastering the walls. Initially, it is important to conduct preparatory measures for "rough" leveling. This entails removing the beacons and applying a primer. However, in order to achieve a flawlessly smooth surface, it is necessary to apply putty. Only once this is done can one commence with the final touches.