Plaster: DIY or Outsource?

[Noah Barba]

Hey guys, the market that I'm focusing on (metro Detroit, MI), is full of houses that have either fully plaster walls or walls that have a plaster veneer on them. I plan on doing a lot of the cosmetic renovations myself (drywall, cabinets, flooring, etc) as I've been in the trades for a couple of years now. My question is very broad, so it's really a very open ended space for comment on: is plaster a good idea for something I should tackle, or should I outsource it?

I'm pretty detail-oriented and feel like I could do a good job at plastering patches or even skim coating a wall. I've been loading up on videos on youtube and have been learning a fair amount. But alas, I am a newbie, and there are many questions I have like

• - does type of plaster play a big role? (do I have to learn all the different categories?)
• - how similar is plaster to using drywall compound?
• - can you sand or can you only wet trowel
• - could I use drywall compound to patch a plaster wall?

Whatever you guys have to offer me I would love to hear! I want to be able to do this area of renovation myself but know that you can't do everything. Thanks for taking the time to respond if you choose too!

[Colleen F.]

For the bigger stuff outsource it. It is time consuming to learn and people who do it every day are good at it. However it is pricey so weigh your options on repairing vs drywalling. 

• does type of plaster play a big role? (do I have to learn all the different categories?)  - No
• - how similar is plaster to using drywall compound?     - a lot faster drying.   Harder when finished. 
• - can you sand or can you only wet trowel. - you can sand. 
• - could I use drywall compound to patch a plaster wall?  Yes, but depending on how big the patch is plaster may be better.  There are some techniques for wire mesh for larger patches that are different they drywall.  Plaster also has a little different sheen to so a patch can show up after painting if you don't put it down properly and sand it well if you have to. 

[Noah Barba]

@Colleen F.

Thanks Colleen. I have a question regarding the different sheens of the drywall to plaster. If it comes down to it, can I simply patch everything with drywall/drywall compound and then apply a thin plaster veneer finish in order to make the patch blend with the rest of the wall? 

[Colleen F.]

For the difference in sheen you really just need to sand and prime for smaller areas and you shouldn't have a problem. It is when you have a larger patch that you might consider to have plaster on top.  It really is a different look for some plasters.  

Frankly many flippers will tell you when you have a really bad plaster surface to drywall over with 1/4 inch. Keep in mind that in some cases you will be redoing electric and possibly adding insulation so significantly opening up the walls.