Hi All

I'm now at the point with my upstairs renovation where i need to skim my lime walls so my electrician can return to energise the upper circuit.

Whilst I've already lime plastered the bare brick wall under the stairs using Lime Green products (emergency due to electric meter relocation) I've decided to bring in a young plasterer to help me with the upstairs skim. He's new to Lime but keen to help so I'm hoping I can pick up some skills from him in the process too. I've almost finished the prep work and we are currently at the planning stage and would appreciate any advice.

All walls have the original polished lime plaster but there was a bit of 'fall out' when removing the skirting board from the lath & plaster stud walls so I've had to replace small parts with plasterboard and the odd screw/washer to tighten the existing plaster back to lath. I've scrim taped all the joints and the joints between the plasterboard and existing lime plaster which I will prep/fill using a slightly thinner multi finish (gypsum).

But my main question is what type of lime to use and whether I should 'prep' the walls first with a thin mix of Lime putty and water (limewater) or just wet the walls to control suction?

But what concoction for the skim?

1. A ready made product like St Astier Ecomortar R100, which is the expensive option?

2. A ready mixed lime putty, just need to knock up?

3. Or should I make up my own using NHL 2 and fine sand, and if so what mix?

Apologies for all the questions, any experience from fellow forum members much appreciated.

Posted By: djh

Posted By: kristevaBut what concoction for the skim?

Don't know product 1 itself, but some pre-mixed interior plaster product is the correct answer. We used Regency Lime Plaster.

2 & 3 are the wrong answer because you won't get as fine a finish. IMHO

The other main question I think is to make sure the lime adheres well to the substrate. I'm not sure what the best procedure is but I'm sure there's advice online, or others will be along who do know.

Thanks. I just looked up Regency Plaster, it's certainly may be cheaper than R100, it says it can be used on a variety of substrates but only when primed with Baumit primer and a base coat of heritage lime plaster, so perhaps not just a skim unfortunately.

Not a great deal of info online unfortunately when it comes to Lime work. Its frustrating. R100 seems bullet proof and comes with instruction but about as expensive as it gets.

The only caveat I'd raise is that Glatt is incredibly thin - goes on like thin cheese sauce, and does not 'build', so any imperfections in the existing will just become shinier imperfections. I did recently mix it a bit stiffer, which helped a little, but I have had it crack if you try to 'build' with it.