[GBlist] finish for gypsum plastered walls

[Daniel McCauley <FlyingColors@megapipe.net>]

My experience has been that once you have a gypsum plaster substrate,
putting a hard finish on the top will not necessarily prevent scratches
and dings from appearing - not unlike what you find after a few inches
of snow has gotten a thin layer of ice on top. That being said, I don't
know that there's anything I would recommend to put over it. You may
wait until you can't live with it any longer and redo the walls with a
lime based plaster which would give a much harder surface. Epoxy might
be an option, however I wouldn't put it in my own house due to the cost
as well as the fumes. Better yet let it develope it's patina and enjoy
it! Danny McCauley 



Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2002 12:30:12 -0600 (CST)
To: <greenbuilding@crest.org>
From: Sacie Lambertson <dlambert@grasshoppernet.com>
Subject: finish for gypsum plastered walls
Message-ID: <28882.4.41.242.66.1037730612.squirrel@geex.grasshoppernet.com>

The interior walls of the house I am building are finished with gypsum
plaster over 2 coats of stucco.  I tinted the plaster and then finished
the entire surface with two coats of water based urethane.  It looks great
but the entire finish seems soft to me, ie not nearly as durable as a
painted drywall surface.  Any suggestions about hardening the surface?  A
fair amount of acrylic was included in the gypsum plaster.  DO NOT want to
paint.  Sacie Lambertson

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