Hats off to Doyle and Linda for providing such a wonderful way to netweek! Just a quick question ---- During my presentations to various designers, realitors, builders, etc., the question is asked about repairs. Will the plasters crack if the wall should crack? Are all of the plasters repairable. Will the repair be noticable? What do you give as an answer? One other question, in class we went over the prep work. The plaster goes on over painted walls, but can it go over wallpaper? One design center has wall surfaces covered with wallpaper and are interested in replacing it with the plaster. Thanks for any comments!

Hi Suzanne,

If a wall cracks, just about any finish will crack too, be it plaster or paint. Is there a problem with walls cracking in your area?
Some of the plasters can be repaired. The ability of the applicator will make a large difference in how well the patch looks

Plastering over wallpaper is not a good idea.

Oh, BTW, you should sign up for the "Trained Applicator Section". You are missing a lot of the action.

David

If the wall cracks,..the plaster will crack.

The limes will crack easier.

I have plastered over wallpaper a couple times

http://216.193.252.74/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=103...e=12&sort=7&ppuser=5

and this one, both over paper.

http://216.193.252.74/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=646...e=12&sort=7&ppuser=5

Serious measures need to be taken to ensure a solid substrate to go over.

I agree with Scott,butI always go by (If I didn't hang the paper then have it removed as it is all in the wall prep.)Hope this help some what.
Ken.

Hello everyone.

Was reading the comments and there are alot of reasons for walls cracking usually in the angles and ceiling vaults, I have used a preventative product in order to stop any cracking. I am a Drywall Contractor, there is a product called No-Coat that is designed for stuctural strenth,
http://www.No-coat.com this has a wonderfull guarentee. I have never had a corner bead, or angle crack after using this product over the last 6yrs in dry or high moisture area's. On New Projects you may have this product installed by the drywallers, or it is easy to do your self. It is worth the time to protect our plasters over the years.
When working drywall I suggest this product to everyone, there is no equal in the industry for strength.
hope this helps.
the best way to fix a crack is to avoid a crack.

Stephen Huls
Monroe, Utah

Stephen,First of all welcome to the forum,and thank you for your input.
Ken.

Hi suzanne.I would never guaranty anything done over wallpaper.If you must do it,use an alcool primer prior to any application.If starting from scratch and are concerned with corners cracking I would recommend typical steel cornerbead screwed not nailed,mudded with a setting compound and coat the entire surface with an elastomeric primer.I would avoid the no coat product given the fact that i am currently replacing a large amount of it for a client who had it installed in an icf home.Drywall compound is not an adhesive and the rigidity of this product lends itself to tearing away with the slightest deviation.

Since we are on wallpaper, how much do you regularly charge for removal?

All wallpaper is different. Simply put, some is easy to remove, some is a royal pain and I wouldn't bid on it for a grand. Depends on whether or not someone sized it, what year it was put up (I've had really old wallpaper come off in little tiny pieces no matter how much dif or water I used)....To put it simply, I charge time and materials on this type of job. There is no way to estimate wallpaper removal, no formula for figuring out how long it will take. Luck o' the draw.

thanks lori