Plastering half-trowel: types and applications

Wall plastering technology has a history of many thousands. The basic process and the tools used have not changed over the centuries, but have improved.

One of the tools necessary for construction and repair is a half-grater. This article will help you figure out, if you are a beginner in repair, what kind of tool it is, what it is for and how to use it correctly and effectively. In the article, even a professional will be able to find useful techniques for working with a grater. So, its main task as a tool is to apply a surface-leveling solution.

The tool is used during finishing work to apply, or rather, evenly coat the wall surface with a building mixture. The scraper is a plate with a thickness of about 10 mm, its standard dimensions are 60 cm in width and from 60 to 100 cm in length, with a handle attached in the middle of the tool. It owes its small size to the fact that it is used only for applying the mixture to small areas - such as the area around doors, windows or special architectural elements, it also performs the function of leveling the applied material in the corners.

Varieties of a half-grater:

• Polyurethane, which in practice is used more often than others. It is the most common material on the construction market because it is easy to use. It looks like a plastic board, but when choosing it is important not to confuse these two materials.
• Wood The polishers are much stronger than many others, for example, foam and polyurethane. The disadvantage of this type is that material can begin to adhere to its surface, that is, the scraper will begin to "grow" with the mixture.

• Foam suitable for small processing areas. It is short-lived, but inexpensive. It should be clarified that it is only enough for a few strokes, later it may break or stick to the surface. The quality of the work performed will also be significantly affected. With all its inconvenience in use, it is nevertheless found in building supermarkets.
• Metal the tool is used for the process of ironing the surface, it is suitable for those who plan to apply paint on the wall in the future.

• Plastic as well as metal, requires dexterity and is used on special occasions for easy handling in small areas.
• Other materials - rubber, latex, sponge - also used to create a half-grater. Such tools are used for the final decoration, but not for the main work.

Obviously, it is better to give preference to a polyurethane tool: using it will save time and improve the quality of application. In addition, problems with the tool sticking to the wall are unlikely.

First of all, you need to decide on the size of the area to be treated and not to prepare too much mixture in advance, especially if it is made of cement. The first is always the plastering process. It begins by applying the mixture in a circular motion counterclockwise.It will take strength and skill to apply the material to the surface, since the mixture, despite its thick consistency, is not entirely malleable and requires pressure for uniform application, and repeated and repetitive actions will quickly tire an unprepared person.

The main task is to maintain the same pressure, then the use of a float will help, because its main purpose is to compact the applied solution. The use of a trowel begins after a 5-hour pause, which is necessary for the wall to dry. The surface treatment technology with a trowel is more similar to the plastering process described above, with only one addition: when applying the solution, you should not take your hand off the surface to be treated to create an even layer.

There are some nuances that must be taken into account when working with a trowel, among them:

• It is important to take into account not only the quality of the tool and technique when performing work, but also to make a choice in favor of high-quality solutions for the mixture. It should be well mixed, homogeneous, thick, without lumps. It is very important not to be mistaken with the amount of water, and also fine sand should be included in the composition. An alternative to this time-consuming process is buying a ready-made solution.
• Methods for grouting plaster can be divided into two main ones: these are circular movements and movements in disperse, that is, up and down. The first method is simpler.

• During work with the tool, excess of not completely dried solution may accumulate, they must be removed immediately, otherwise this can complicate the process and shorten the service life of the tool.
• Cleaning with a trowel is a long process, so there is a risk of the wall drying out before it is completely leveled, therefore, in the process, you should wet the walls from time to time, most often a brush is used for this.

Surface leveling technology does not require special expenses or expensive tools, so everyone is able to implement it. The only thing that is fundamentally important in this process is dexterity and physical strength.

You can learn how to properly grout the plaster from the video below.