Question about patching plaster - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Dorman Painting · 02-09-2009, 07:16 PM

I'm currently painting a 1965 ranch house that has plaster walls and ceilings. The ceilings have a swirl pattern and there were several areas to patch. What's the best way to duplicate this swirl pattern.

The walls are plaster with a texture, not any particular pattern just like a low grade popcorn texture. When patching these, I've bought a mixing compound that duplicates the textured theme. I'm used to drywall patching and finishing, plaster is a different animal IMO. I'd be interested in hearing how some of you tackle plaster patches and patterns.

ModernStyle · 02-09-2009, 10:09 PM

I would ask the guys over in the Drywall section, they probably know more about matching textures.

sparehair · 02-09-2009, 10:22 PM

A lot of the swirl patterns are just an old broom in a thick coat of mud. Try it on a piece of scrap sheet rock.

WisePainter · 02-09-2009, 10:33 PM

Crow's foot tool.

ModernStyle · 02-09-2009, 10:49 PM

It sounds like either mud swirl or sand swirl, around here textures like that are almost a lost art.