Things You'll Need:
- patching plaster
- meltal lath
- tin snips
- heavy work gloves
- stapler
- plant sprayer
- hooked tool
- joint compound
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Step 1
Chip around the area of the hole to remove any loose plaster. Enlarge any small cracks,
With a hooked tool, undercut all around the edge so the outer edge of the hole to be repaired is smaller than the inner edge. This way, your patch will hold better.
Vacuum away any loose plaster dust. -
Step 2
Cut several strips of the expanded metal lath to fit across the hole. Use your tin snips for this and wear work gloves while doing so.
Staple the lath to the wood lath. Do not nail as this will vibrate the area and may cause cracks and chipping. -
Step 3
With your plant mister, dampen the lath, both wood and metal as well as the surrounding plaster.
Starting at the edges, work your patching plaster into the hole. This is your first coat of plaster. While it is still damp, score it with a criss cross pattern. Allow to dry. -
Step 4
With your plant sprayer, wet the first layer of plaster and the surrounding area.
Apply a second coat of plaster and smooth it over the edges of the hole.
Leave to dry for 20 minutes. Feather a thin coating of joint compound onto the surrounding surface.
Allow to dry. Your repair is complete and ready for paint.
