Even for people who have some experience with home repairs, plastering corners can be a challenging task. Having flawlessly straight and smooth edges is essential to creating a polished appearance in any space. The procedure calls for precision and a steady hand, whether you’re working on exterior or interior corners.
We’ll take you through all the necessary steps to plaster corners like a pro in this guide. We’ll go over the equipment you’ll need, the methods to employ, and some practical advice to make sure you consistently produce excellent results. Additionally, we’ve included video instructions that break down each step in an understandable and straightforward manner in case you’re a visual learner.
Whatever your degree of experience, you can successfully complete your next wall finishing project by learning the technique of plastering corners with the aid of this guide.
- Plastering rules
- Preparing the base
- Necessary materials and tools
- Finishing external corners
- Finishing without a perforated corner
- Plastering with a corner
- Plastering of internal corners
- Finishing with beacons
- Plastering with a profiled corner
- Finishing with reinforcement
- Video on the topic
- Applying plaster to corners \ Setting up beacons at 90 degrees
- Plastering an external corner
- Plastering problematic corners. VIDEO FOR BEGINNERS.
- The fastest way. External corner. Plastering.
- Installing beacons for plaster. 90 degree corners. #12
- Plastering walls with Artem Chiba
Plastering rules
Guidelines for plastering the exterior and interior corners of walls:
- For finishing the facade and in rooms with high humidity, use cement-sand material. This product is moisture-resistant and resistant to temperature changes. It is recommended to use a gypsum composition for finishing corners in a dry room. The material is easy to apply and has a long service life.
- The thickness of the material layer for wall corners is 50 mm. For ceilings – 30 mm.
- Before applying the solution, the surface is treated with an antiseptic solution. This will help to avoid the occurrence of mold and mildew under the layer of material.
- After disinfection and degreasing, the base is treated with a primer. The product will improve the adhesion of the material and the surface.
- If there is no experience in plastering, it is recommended to use ready-made compositions. Such products are used immediately after opening the package. If there is at least minimal experience in finishing work, you can use a dry mixture. The product is distinguished by a favorable price, but the solution needs to be prepared before use. Pour water into a clean container and fill it with material. The ratio of the products is indicated on the packaging. Then mix the solution with a construction mixer or a drill with a mixer attachment until the consistency of thick sour cream is formed. Leave the product for 10 minutes, stir and use as intended.
- It is recommended to use only clean water for mixing the solution. Other liquids contain foreign impurities, which will negatively affect the quality of the material.
- It is not recommended to mix the solution in large portions, since the finished product must be used within half an hour. After this, the material will harden. If an amateur does the finishing with his own hands, he will not have time to quickly use up the solution and the composition will become unusable.
- After plastering, the surface is leveled. Poorly prepared corners worsen the appearance of the finish, which is especially noticeable if paintings or photographs are hung nearby.
Preparing the base
The video below illustrates how plastering walls’ corners starts with finishing prep:
- clean the corners and walls from the old coating;
- cut off the protrusions with a grinder or sander;
- examine the surface for unstable fragments and remove them;
- increase the size of the cracks;
- treat the defects with a primer and after the product dries, fill the imperfections with a solution;
- dismantle the metal elements or treat with an anti-corrosion agent;
- apply the primer in two layers with a break for drying.
Necessary materials and tools
You will need in order to plaster the corners:
- rule;
- level;
- corner and straight spatula;
- trowel;
- construction float and half-trowel;
- plaster.
Plastering corners can be a challenging aspect of any wall-finishing project, but anyone can accomplish smooth, expert results with the correct methods and advice. This article breaks down the process into manageable steps with clear, step-by-step video instructions, covering everything from surface preparation to evenly applying plaster to both internal and external corners. These pointers will enable you to confidently master the skill of corner plastering, regardless of your level of experience.
Finishing external corners
There are several methods for plastering exterior corners. To select the best option, it is advised that you become familiar with all of the approaches.
Finishing without a perforated corner
In the event that plastering corners is not used, the following finishing method will be used:
- fix a flat board on one side of the corner, while the thickness of the product should be equal to the thickness of the plaster;
- apply the solution and level it with a rule;
- stop work for two days to dry the material;
- dismantle the board, fix the product on the other side and repeat the manipulation.
Plastering with a corner
Guidelines for using a counter-sharp to plaster corners:
- apply the solution to the corner on both sides;
- press the plastered corner to the material, run a straight spatula over it to remove excess;
- check the quality of the finish with a level and, if any defects are found, add the solution or, conversely, remove excess material;
- apply the plaster again, wait for the product to dry and clean the surface with a construction float.
Apply the second layer of the solution to the entire base as soon as possible if you are plastering the entire wall rather than just the corners.
Plastering of internal corners
Internal corners can also be plastered in a variety of methods.
Finishing with beacons
If the corners and walls are plastered together, using beacons is important. Finalization algorithm:
- Install guides on both sides of the wall, then fix the beacons along the perimeter at a distance less than the length of the rule. In the corners, fix the profiles 5 cm from the joints.
- Fill the gap from the joint to the profile with mortar on one side. Level the material with the rule. Perform this manipulation on the other side of the corner and along the perimeter of the wall.
- Form a corner using an angle spatula for this. Move from top to bottom.
- Stop finishing for the material to dry. After this, remove the guides. Fill the voids with mortar and level the material.
Plastering with a profiled corner
Amateurs often wonder how to plaster internal corners with a profiled corner. In this instance, it is advised to follow these final guidelines:
- Use plaster corners with a reinforcing mesh. Measure and cut the required length of material using metal scissors.
- Apply a small amount of solution to the corners. Place the product on the material, press on it and run a straight spatula. Remove the solution that has seeped through the mesh.
- Take a break for the product to dry. After that, apply the solution so that the product is completely hidden under a layer of material.
In this case, how should corners be removed during plastering? Use an angle spatula for this. Use the tool in a top-to-bottom motion. Excess material can be removed using a straight spatula.
Finishing with reinforcement
It is not required to use a plaster corner in order to align the wall joints. It is advised to use a serpyanka instead:
- apply the solution to the joints of the wall;
- cut off the required amount of mesh;
- press the serpyanka to the solution and run the spatula so that a 90-degree angle is formed at the joint (as in the photo below);
- remove excess mortar;
- wait for the mixture to dry and apply another layer of plaster;
- use a corner spatula to form a corner.
Step | Description |
1. Preparation | Clean the corners and apply a primer to ensure better adhesion of the plaster. |
2. Install corner bead | Attach a metal or plastic corner bead to create a straight edge for the plaster. |
3. Apply the first coat | Using a trowel, apply the first coat of plaster to one side of the corner. |
4. Smooth the surface | Level the plaster with a straight edge, smoothing it out towards the corner. |
5. Repeat on the other side | After the first side dries slightly, repeat the process on the other side. |
6. Apply a second coat | Once the first coat is set, apply a second, thinner coat for a smooth finish. |
7. Final smoothing | Use a wet sponge or fine sandpaper to smooth any imperfections. |
8. Let it dry | Allow the plaster to dry completely before painting or finishing. |
Although plastering corners can seem difficult at first, anyone can accomplish professional results with the right tools and techniques. It all comes down to being patient, taking your time, and paying close attention to the instructions.
To guarantee crisp, clean edges, don’t forget to use corner beads and apply the plaster evenly. These little things have a big impact on how your walls look in the end.
Watch video instructions or ask seasoned plasterers for advice if you have any questions at all about the procedure. In particular, visual aids can be very beneficial when maneuvering around difficult areas.
You’ll become more confident and skilled with practice, making what once seemed like an impossible task manageable. Cheers to plastering!