Plastering & Skimming a Wall with Chased Cables

Plastering chased cables has been a bit challenging the past two weeks.  There were a LOT of cables after we'd had some electrics put in and I was worried about the right methods to cover them up.

I know some just plaster straight over them, but I felt it was better practice to cover with PVC channel, then plaster it up to prevent problems for us or anyone else later on.

Also, the brickwork was such a mess and there was only so deep I could chip away as we have a tiled bathroom on the other side.

So the first thing I did was turn off all the electrics.  Then I cut down the PVC channelling to size but realised my exposed brickwork wasn't straight, so needed to chip away (ensuring I was away from the cables).

Then, using masonry nails about 3cm long, I trapped the PVC channeling to the crevise by jamming it under the nail heads.  Sometimes I had to go through the edges of the channeling (away from the cables!)

Then mixed up some Wickes' onecoat (discontinued) by eye in a clean bucket with about 2-3cm of water in the bottom.  I mixed with a clean stick and applied with a bucket trowel (that's all I had) being as smooth as possible.

Once the plaster completely dried, I sanded it down with a hand sander using 120 grit paper to remove any rough edges.  Then dusted it down and brushed over a coat of PVA solution (glue thinned with water) and left to dry.

Then after watching this YouTube video on how to skim a wall with ready mix, I drove straight to Wickes and picked some up and Toolstation for this great Vinyl Smoother as squeegees were so expensive.  The smoother has a little bend, so worked great for me.

I initially used the roller method but it never worked for me, even with a watered down skim too, so resorted to my large filling knife which was much better!

To make sure I could see any flaws as I went, I used my food blogging studio lights.

I also made sure the carpet was covered with sheets as it does get a little messy, but not as messy as the plastering earlier before we had new carpets fitted.

Once I'd finished my plastering and knowing I could sand any slight imperfections later, I left to dry.

Note it's very easy to chase smoothing over sections.  But I found the firmer I was with vinyl smoother, the smoother the finish.

This really was the best I've probably ever plastered, so will not be looking back from now on.  For a whole wall, it will probably be more difficult, but I bet I've give it a go.  I've heard it's very difficult though.

It was also incredibly easy gently sand down too.  I just used a medium to fine Wickes hand sponge sander and I couldn't be happier.

Please don't think plastering is difficult.  It's quite fun and have found the more I do it, the better I'm getting.

And spending just that little bit more on ready mix skim, I've still saved me money and it's now ready to paint!

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