maure 1 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 In as few words as possible. Dear old granny neighbour had to cut sick trees. Her propety is now walled three-ways and she is afraid her dog will run into the street, thieves will get in, etc. In all truth, I fear she may trip over and kill herself so I volunteered to build her the enclosing wall even though I have no specific experience on this short of thing. It was not too hard to do, though. The base of the wall is part of the foundation and is some 1.8 meters off the street. I got some concrete blocks, cement, and sand. Placed supports where needed and lifted the wall. It's strong enough for earthquake country. No comes the plaster before painting the wall and my problem. I first placed a scrath coat and then a second coat over it to smoth the surfarce. The problem is the finishing coat. I don't have information on how to go about it. Should I create an even miixture of cement/sand? Seems to make sense. Also, a sticky (non-wet) mix seems a better idea. Anyway, if anyone with experience could advice, you would be helping dear old granny. She is both a riot and adorable. Much appreciated, people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schumikonen 2 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 In my country most constructions are done using these materials, I have done it myself but I did noticed they use a especial type of sand to do the covering, right now I am at college but when I get home I'll try to find some info about it for you if the right answer is not posted here yet by that time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monza gorilla 1 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Final coat: - Mix (cement:lime:sand): [1:1:5-6]. (you can omit the lime if you want) - Thickness: 5-8 mm. Finish: Float. Hope that helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Medilloni 6 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 If you've never done it before, here's the long explanation........... 50/50 is fine, normal is best, non-wet (sticky) is harder to get a glass-like finish. 1. Apply a thin layer (no more than 5-7mm) 2. Wait for it to dry enough so that it's not glistening wet (half an hour/two hours, depends on heat/sun bla bla), it should feel like soft-ish cheese, the surface doesn't look wet, it should look very damp. (You won't get the best finish if you go for the good finish at first application). 3. When it fits the 'cheese' and 'very damp' description, either carefully 'spray' a little water from a paintbrush (a throwing action) in front of the trowel as you smooth over the surface, or keep dipping your trowel in water. Use the back edge of the trowel and smooth over. 3a. If you haven't enough water the trowel will 'drag' - should feel like there's very little friction as you smooth backwards and forwards over the surface. 3b. If the trowel is flat on the surface, it will 'lift' and drag on the surface - as you move the trowel, forward edge is lifted a touch above the surface, the back edge drags the water and imperfections into the smooth finish. Should be smooth as a baby's bum when you're done. Luck to you, peace to Granny & dog, curse the thieves. EDIT: Damn it, your word-economy beat me to it Russ. Do you only use the lime for lickable walls? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monza gorilla 1 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Makes it a bit flexible. Thought it might be good for Maure's neck of the woods. 1:1 is a damn strong mix, John. That'll keep the ram raiders at bay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Medilloni 6 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 You're right Russ, said it because it's a wall (uppity surface) - too much sand and it might be hard to keep from sagging was my concern. Well, that and at 50/50 maure won't be able to stop for a tea break Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AleHop 0 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Sorry, is it mortero as we call it in Spain what maure's looking for. Mortar in English? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Autumnpuma 0 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 This is something I've been pondering for Chateau Puma and now I have the info on how to do it. And no excuses. Damn you all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Medilloni 6 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 This is something I've been pondering for Chateau Puma and now I have the info on how to do it. And no excuses. Damn you all. For home Chateau improvement tips, perhaps this is the best place Mike: http://www.guedelon.fr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AleHop 0 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 For home Chateau improvement tips, perhaps this is the best place Mike: http://www.guedelon.fr That's great! It reminds me about the DIY Cathedral. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5381710.stm I love it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Autumnpuma 0 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 For home Chateau improvement tips, perhaps this is the best place Mike: http://www.guedelon.fr Excellent! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Medilloni 6 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 That's great! It reminds me about the DIY Cathedral. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5381710.stm I love it! Amazing! I'd love to spend a week at Guedelon, to try the 'old skills' must be a real culture shock - no power tools, transport by horse etc. But not on a GP week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yurp 0 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Final coat: - Mix (cement:lime:sand): [1:1:5-6]. (you can omit the lime if you want) - Thickness: 5-8 mm. Finish: Float. Hope that helps. yeppers - though I'd up the cement a bit for a novice builder (japanese weather can be failry extreme also) just to be sure. perhaps 1:3. Maure - I'm sure you did, but just make sure you've tied the corners of the wall in properly when building it. Also how tall/thick is this wall? - don't want it coming down on granny. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maure 1 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 Thank you all for the replies. Very, very useful stuff. I'm finishing off the base of the wall with a parallel and narrow (a foot and some) as-long-as-the-wall flower bed (some 15 meters or so) made with slabs of rock. Once these are in place, I'll do the finishing coat. The wall is not that tall because there is already a good drop on the other side. And yes, I figured a flower bed would pretty up the job while somewhat hiding my tentative skills... have only made a few small errors on the whole job so far and have been able to fix them. I'll say this, though. If someone ever tries to take that wall down, they are going to have to deal with cubic meters of supporting cement... odd to think the house (traditional Japanese) would come down before the wall itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kopite Girl 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 I remember helping my Dad build his shed/outhouse. He wanted it made from brick. If I remember correctly it was Portland Cement, Masonry Sand, Aggregate (about 1-2cm thick so mixes easy) and Lime. I can't recall things so well these days so I'm not too sure of ratio. I'll try and call my brother who has his own building firm in Ireland. Even if just to remember what he said! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Autumnpuma 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 Thank you all for the replies. Very, very useful stuff. I'm finishing off the base of the wall with a parallel and narrow (a foot and some) as-long-as-the-wall flower bed (some 15 meters or so) made with slabs of rock. Once these are in place, I'll do the finishing coat. The wall is not that tall because there is already a good drop on the other side. And yes, I figured a flower bed would pretty up the job while somewhat hiding my tentative skills... have only made a few small errors on the whole job so far and have been able to fix them. I'll say this, though. If someone ever tries to take that wall down, they are going to have to deal with cubic meters of supporting cement... odd to think the house (traditional Japanese) would come down before the wall itself. Reagan: Mr. Maure, tear down that wall! Maure: I'm trying, dammit, but there's *alot* of cement here!!! (sorry, this is the quality of posts you get when I'm sober) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dribbler 6 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 I have a broken umbrella, should I use brolly bolts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kopite Girl 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 I have a broken umbrella, should I use brolly bolts? Buy a new one you tightfisted s.o.b. Or permanently wear your skidlid. Re-sult! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cavallino 2 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 "Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offence. Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That wants it down." Sorry that's the only contribution I have to make to this thread Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yurp 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 I have a broken umbrella, should I use brolly bolts? Sorry - but if that isn't a nice old granny's brolly, then I'm not helping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dribbler 6 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 Sorry - but if that isn't a nice old granny's brolly, then I'm not helping. No Adam, please help. The umbrella belongs to my Granny. She broke it after using it to hit her dog and stab some disabled children. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yurp 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 No Adam, please help. The umbrella belongs to my Granny. She broke it after using it to hit her dog and stab some disabled children. Oh - okay fine... I believe what you're after is a mini UL-5778-TnL pin. You'll find one at most reputable brolly shops. You might find this useful too. Good luck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kopite Girl 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2010 I'm stunned. I'm completely stunned. BUY A ****ING NEW ONE YOU 'TARDS. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helen K 0 Report post Posted July 12, 2010 That's great! It reminds me about the DIY Cathedral. http://news.bbc.co.u...ope/5381710.stm I love it! Such a very amazing link! _________________ Watch Inception Online Free Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
