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Rendering cement plaster on concrete or cmu walls, Plastering Concrete block walls, CMU plastering

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LOL, most will have no idea by watching this video as to how stiff this mud was and had accelerator in it with on a day that was close to one hundred degrees.
My brother Luuuuuu, tried to kill us this day,
Didn’t work.
After we applied this skim coat, we applied the color. In this video were applying Eisenwall cement stucco, it’s only sold at the plastering material yards. I used it because we color coated this wall an hour after the skimcoat was applied to see that video click here: -https://youtu.be/d-ZTb9_y69M

Rendering cement plaster is the term used in the UK.
Plastering on concrete or CMU walls is the term used here in the USA.
Plastering Concrete block walls, CMU plastering.
Both terms mean the same thing as CMU stands for Concrete masonry units.

Colored plaster on Cinder Block Walls, -https://youtu.be/d-ZTb9_y69M

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Comments

  1. Hi dragonfist, sort of, no bonding agent was necessary as this cinderblock wall is porous naturally, so the new stucco adhered by suction, It also helps to wet the wall or mist it with water because if a new finish is applied to a very hot wall it sucks up the water instantly and sometimes won’t bond as well. This misting with water was absolutely necessary on this day as it was close to 100 degrees.
    Thanks for watching, have good evenings.
    Kirk Giordano Plastering

    Reply

  2. Great video….I'm considering doing our back wall sometime in the future. What can I do to help prevent efflorescence from coming through my side of the wall from the neighbors raised planter that butts up against the wall on the opposite side?

    Reply

  3. Howdy Roddy, good question, efflorescence usually occurs if the sand has salt in it. Buy clean course washed at the material yard and you should be o.k.
    Only about one out of 500 jobs do I see this happen.
    Don’t’ go to the beach for you sand, like I did once 25 years ago, just to make sure.
    Thanks for watching and have a great Fourth of July.
    Kirk Giordano Plastering

    Reply

  4. I'm totally new to this so apologies if I'm asking a stupid question. I'm planning on repairing a small wall in my garden where the plaster fell off. Can I just use sand and cement and get the ''float finish'' or is there a specialized product and mix I have to buy?

    Thanks

    Reply

  9. Hi Mike, I sometimes call stucco, plaster as it's called both names usually. Plaster is the technical word for interior, stucco is the word for exteriors.
     I used portland cement plaster for this project. this is job.
    I have seen many bags saying either stucco or plaster. Sorry for the confusion but not all manufacturers call the same material by the same name.
     Cheers,
     Kirk Giordano plastering

    Reply

    • Morning slobodan jovanovic, this video didn't come out well but the end result was perfect.
      It's tougher than many people think to stop what were doing and and spend 10 to 15 minutes setting up camera stuff while risking the mud setting, especially on a hot day to show and explain how it's applied.
       best wishes,
       Kirk and fami;y

      Reply

  11. You guys need some of those pop-up canopies to give you a little shade to work in.  You could even put your business name on them as a little advertising while you work.  We have a 10×10 that came in so handy when we were standing out in the broiling sun on a 95 degree day digging a well with a hose, PVC pipe and old water pump. Get a white one though — ours was a deep royal blue color and I could feel the heat coming through it.

    Reply

  13. Great vid as usual Capt., I did want to ask what you're using to stucco the block wall, is it something you mixed up or a commercial pre-mixed product? also are you familiar with the product line  Rapid Set?  and do you ever use it?  So…..IF this is a mix you made, what are the components? Portland, sand and maybe some type of bonding agent?

    Reply

    • Morning 24t68Jm1, yes I'm familiar with rapid set Eisenwall stucco, used to be 12 years ago you needed a certificate or to be certified to apply it, but those days are gone and it sold at Lowe's and Home depot to the public.
       If you're going to use tis product read the instructions well and DON'T Overmix, 3 to 4 minutes MAX.
       Or use can just use portland grey cement no worries about how long it mixes for,
      The material I used here bonded to these blocks by suction so I didn't need a bonding agent.
       Best wishes,
       kirk and family

      Reply

    • Howdy Doctor Dude,
      when skin coat cinder blocks only a skim coat is necessary about at least 1/2 inch so when it rains you don't see the grout line ghosting through.
      Over stucco netting over paper attached to wood you apply the first coat 3/8 think as well as 33/8 forthe second coat,
      the final coat is usually 1/8 of an inch to give you the 7/8 required.
      Cheers,
      kirk giordano
      Cheers,
      kirk giordano

      Reply

  18. enjoy your videos,as a painter i am often asked to do simple repairs in concrete or stucco and am very thankful for your information.
    Cheers!
    from Saskatchewan,Canada

    Reply

    • Hello Darwyn Boucher, from Saskatchewan, Canada, Happy to here these plastering video's benefit you, once you understand what's going on that's half the battle.
       What do you think about the new painting system called Rhino Shield compared to Kelly Moore's Electromeric paint  system?
       Thanks
       kirk and family

      Reply

    • well,I cant say that I have used any Rhino coatings around here.However,I regularly have customers requesting Moore product a majority of the time.I used a product a few years ago called Canyon Tone.I think it was from United Coatings and supplied here at Cloverdale Paint stores.It was a product for stucco that was guaranteed to never fade flake or peel.With the proper prep and careful attention there is generally something for everyone.
      thanks again.

      Reply

  19. thanks mate – going to go stucco a concrete pond.  after the stucco layer am putting on tile.  really helped seeing the tools you use and how you move with them. thanks for taking the time to explain and show use of water + good sense of humor… 

    Reply

    • Morning Anson Parker, I have stuccoed a few fish ponds, hose down the concrete and make sure it's dust, dirt and moss free then stucco as usual.
      The stucco a little bit richer also helps.
      Best wishes on this pond.
       kirk and family

      Reply

    • Hey Dirtyman from Hong Kong, thank you, that comment makes you my newest and bestest pal.
      However I wouldn't go that far, if you're the best that just means you're expected to do most of the work,
       Best wishes, and thanks for watching.
      Kirk & Jason Giordano's DIY plastering network

      Reply

  22.  Kirk Great Video's You don't talk about lathing much How do you attach your corners to cinder block ?? Thanks for sharing your experience most contractors would not do this your'll creating some good karma 

    Reply

  23. Y'all do things funny out west.I.m in Fl and due to code,weather and regional technique we do things diffrent.I do enjoy to see how you do things,it adds to my toolbox  and gives me more options.so thank you for shareing.one thing ,I dont know how you can call that radi block job good.joints not struck or brushed?mortar sticking out everywhere.that stuff wont fly around here.infact i do all fase mason work and I have seen fights over stuff like that but you take it in stride.i will continue to view your vids.Thank you.

    Reply

  27. Thanks for sharing the video of your work. You make it look so easy. I'm 65 this summer and have a stucco project. Hope my lower back can take the hit. I really like how you explain as you go. The old days I went along with instructions I could squeeze out of the local Italians. Nice to see a video.

    Reply

  28. I got a tell ya I'm so thankful you made this video. I am a do it your selfer guy and need to refinish my brick but can't afford to hire someone. You helped me and my family save on our budget. and helped us repair our home. Thank you again for sharing your hard earned skills and wisdom. Follower for life.  🙂

    Reply

  29. HI Kirk, Thanks so much for the videos as they offer so much great info! I'm wondering about your use of the galvanized lathe corner pieces in this video. Is that something you always use on cinderblock wall corners or is there a particular reason in this case? I noticed in your "how to skim coat cinder block walls" video that you are not using the corner lathe pieces.Also, Did you fasten the lathe corners with tapcon here or just let the cement hold them in place? Thanks for your time and sharing your craft!

    Reply

    • Hi Eric, I dont alway use metal corner, but on this one I did, I fastened 1/2 inch concrete nails with a special magnet and small sledge hammer,
       If you don't use the hand held magnet chances are you will have a fat finger and lose a fingernail by the time you set ten corners.
       Did  a video on how to do this.
       best wishes,
       Kirk giordano plastering

      Reply

    • Morning Bob Alloo, Good point, after more than 30 years I just started using knee pads, my knees aren't to beat up, amazingly.
       Best wishes and great tip. 
      Best wishes and have a Fantastic Day, Kirk Giordano’s DIY plastering tips

      Reply

    • Hey Big guns, The only time I use a bonding agent is over a painted or sealed wall.
       This cinderblock wall was cementitious and thus pouras and didn't need a bonding agent.
       They did however need a bit of water to help the cement plaster adhere to the cinderblock as strong as possible.
       This hydrating of porous walls takes a bit of practice as sometimes we need to completely soak it for a long time over and over depending or the heat.
      Cheers, and have a Fantastic day! Kirk Giordano’s DIY plastering tips 

      Reply

  33. I am sure you are good at what you do,some of the worst block work,I have seen,from a professional,I know you did not do it,just not the right way to plaster a wall.

    Reply

    • HI Pete, no worries, I did apply the mud to this wall or walls, however my brother Looooou, mixed some damned stiff mud and it was a rapid set mud, as we were going to do the color right after, well, he mixed the rapid set stiff and it was really hot day the walls sucked the water out, even though I misted,  the mud was stiff to apply which made me look as an apprentice, out of over 600 video's we have done I allowed the mud to beat me up on this one.
       Bottom line I did not appear as graceful as usual,
      (i'm half the show, the other half remains behind the scenes as the hod carrier),
       Fortunately, at the end of the day the skim had been complete and the color was also applied and came out beautifully.
       Cheers, and have a Fantastic day! Kirk Giordano’s DIY plastering tips 

      Reply

  35. Thanks kirk your the best I learned a lot from you and I just completed my house and looks great I could never have done it without your videos and I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart it is truly a dream come true

    Reply

  36. Thanks for your videos. quick question. some of your videos show to pressure clean the cement walls first, and then used a bonding agent over cement. Can you please tell me when it is right to pressure clean/bonding agent approach vs skim coat applications without pressure clean/bonding agent like this one. thank you

    Reply

    • @wangbungal Hello, no, we did not have to apply any bonding agents as the cement plaster adheres by suction as the cinder blocks are naturally porous,
      If they had been painted or sealed a bonding agent then would have been necessary.
      Best wishes and have a great day!
       Kirk Giordano’s DIY plastering tips 

      Reply

  39. Kirk – i love your videos -they are by far the best I have seen.  I am aPrimary School teacher with a love for building, in particular cinder block structures like walls and fireplaces.  I have rendered a few at my lst house and have just moved into a new place and built a new outdoor fireplace with cinder blocks and also a pool wall.  I have always just used a portland cement render and only do one coat (guess i have been lucky!)  I am just wondering if I need to use a plastic mesh coat on my cinder block wall (pool fence) or would just one skim coat with portland cement render be OK

    Reply

    • @Carol-Lynn Hill Hi Carol, thank you, sounds to me like you have been applying perfectly already.
      If you are referring to plastic cement for render or application, as we also say, more than likely the cement plaster you are using now has lime added in the bags. 
      If it were just common cement plaster, mainly's used for grouting it would be more difficult to apply as it's extremely strong but does not spread as well as cement plaster with a bit of lime or plastic (same thing) included in the bags.
      Best wishes,
      Kirk Giordano

      Reply

  41. Kirk, I am applying basecoat over a concrete block wall. How do you suggest that I prepare the basecoat for the finish coat. Should I float it to bring out some aggregate or use a scratch brush? I'm a diyer, so something easy works best for me. Thanks.

    Reply

  42. Kirk, I noticed that you use your darby dry. Is it better to wet it first so it floats cements without sticking to it?

    As always video is great and chock full of useful information.

    Reply

    • @William Peck Hello William, happy forth of July,
      Yes, it is better to wet it, but sometimes as in this video, there were too many things going on, mainly the weather was really hot, I had to continually keep misting the wall, babysitting my brother, Louuuu, who kept bringing us hot and stiff mud. A bloody drag as he's supposed to know better.
      (Too much accelerator and way too stiff to apply) combined with hot cinder blocks, we really had to hustle or throw the mud away.
      The mud I was using could not be remixed.
      Your basic clusterfuck,
      But, as usual we handled it , the end result was all that mattered.
      best wishes,
      kirk giordano plastering

      Reply

    • @Derek Grattan Hey Derek, from my union pump days, It was often really hot, working behind a pump the overspray would cover us, we also had to use boots, head scarves, gloves and anything else that we could find.
      Plus I buy all my shirts at the Salvation army on fridays where they are half price, so for two bucks, I can thrash then throw away when they get too beat up, plus they protect me from the sun.
      Best wishes,
      kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply

  44. Hi kirk I work for plasterers in Dublin Ireland and if we get a good day were half nakef working we dont get much sun in Dublin I must say plastering is an Art as well as a trade very skillful job keep up the good work and keep the shirt clean ! Lol

    Reply

    • @Derek Grattan Thanks brother, we too, take our shirts off on hot days, but this one was on a crowded street and gotta look professional at least some times anyway.
      We also blast the music, but can't have that noise, confusing me as I might forget I'm explaining stuff and start singing.
      The shirt? dude, I buy at the salvation army on Fridays where all clothes are half off, so they cost me about two bucks each, get too dirty to wash in the can they go.
      Best wishes out there in Dublin Ireland, are there still soldiers carrying around machine guns as casually as folks walking their pets here?
      I found that cool as hell when I went there about 24 years ago, now, I might get nervous.
      Cheers my brother,
      kitk giordano plastering

      Reply

    • Howdy all motor Hash dude, this is Eisenwall cement plaster, it's not sold at the hard ware stores,
      however if you go to home depot buy the Rapid Set stucco, read the bag as you should not mix this cement plaster more than 3 to 5 minutes.
      Cheers,
      kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply

  47. Morning frusfromus, easy big guns, some of the best plasterers I've had the pleasure of working with are Mexican.
    Iv'e found in over 35 years, some guys suck while others are incredibly top notch regardless of what race they are.
    Best wishes my friend.
    kirk Giordano

    Reply

    • Evening Slamvorpio, yea, the hod carrying on this job sucked. we were brought stiff mud at the beginning and throughout most of the day.
      I think Louuu was hung over, so we plasterers paid the price, combined with the heat and dry wall this mud difficulty kicked our ass.
      It's sometimes is tough to make the mud according to the weather temperature.
      Kirk Giordano Plastering

      Reply

  50. Hello, Kirk,
    I apologize for posting a question irrelevant to the topic, but I need your opinion. I hope you don't mind. Can stucco be applied over external insulation boards/panels? If yes, can we still use the 18 gauge wire?

    Best Wishes

    Reply

    • Morning Gandalf dude, when you say (external insulation boards/panels) this can mean about 100 different boards from about 15 different gypsum based products to a whole list of solid wood boards to even foam boards, If you want me to be specific, give me the exact name of the board you are considering.
      FYI, most boards can be plastered over, from wood,foam, and gypsum based, here in California, two layers of paper for weather proofing are first required, then either 17 or 18 gauge wire needs to be attached, now you can stucco as usual.
      Cheers,
      kirk Giordano

      Reply

    • +Kirk & Jason Giordanos DIY plastering and stucco tips
      I should have been more specific, I am sorry. 🙁 They are used a lot in my part of Europe and the brand's "Fibran"., you can google it. I think they are foam boards and they are blue-ish. A fella who lives nearby said they couldn't be stuccoed over and that sounded strange to me. I think they use some kind of other plaster which looks horrible, trust me. They only use foam boards here, I don't know why.
      Thanks, Kirk.

      Reply

    • Ooooo, I see,,
       There is a really great and popular system called Dry-Vit that uses foam boards, that originated from the UK to here in the US,
       First the paper is attached then the boards,
      A fiber mesh tape is used on top of these smooth boards.
      Lastly a tight thin coat of a cementitious base coat then color finish is applied, we did a lot of this work when I was a union plasterer for hospitals and school, Its durable and lightweight for high rises.
       there is also a system we used with horizontal line in the foam boards themselves, after we papered the walls these 4 by 10 sheet were attached with staples from our staple gun that were 2 inches long, the staples had to be that long so that 7/8 of the leg set in the stud and the rest accounted for the width of the foam boards,
       These boards had groove lines ran horizontally, these line seams similar to the scratch line made on a first coat by a  scarifier plastering tool, at that time we were allowed to use 20 gauge wire, for a coat of stucco no more than a half inch thick, then allow to cure prior to a color finish.
      Confused?
       I would be had I not spent years using these methods.
      Best wishes, 
       Kirk Giordano

      Reply

    • +Kirk & Jason Giordanos DIY plastering and stucco tips
      I am not confused at all, don't worry. 😉 Yeah, they use cementitious base coats. I have seen the boards with lines, yes. The ones they use here are black. Can we stucco over the smooth ones or the cementitious base coat beats the stucco here? I'd probably get killed if I did that, hehe. Nobody stuccoes the smooth ones or the other ones here, I don't know why. They say that no stucco will adhere to the smooth ones. Why not? The cementitious base coat adheres to them perfectly. I think stucco will adhere to them, but I am no expert.

      Reply

    • Hey dude, stucco will adhere to any wall that is sound.
       All you need to do is apply a bonding agent to the wall,
       however the wall must be extremely clean, you can't pressure wash foam as it will dissolve, perhaps a water hose and a lot of soap and elbow grease may work, but I have not done this before.
       Best wishes, 
       kirk Giordano

      Reply

  51. why not pop a ez up tent….takes 3 minutes and your in the shade.,

    i install slate. stone walls and coliumns,natural stones…..i put up the ez up or my big angled umbrella,,,,,,thnx for the tip on keep wetting the wall allday….

    Reply

    • Evening Remy Vazquez, you my friend must be a plasterer, with a good eye.
      I say exzackery.
      This video was a cluster F@@#$k.
      It was a really hot day 90 degrees and my brother Luuuu, brought really stiff mud the whole show, It was a nightmare, when we would cut, I would say, Lou is there any way you can bring mud that is not stiff as it hot as hell already and I'm trying not to look like such a fool.
      But this question went unanswered as throughout the day he continued his stiff mud, he was useless and hungover which make us all look like fools.
      You my friend are the first to say the obvious, but being a true professional, i did the best I could with what I had to work with. 
      keep in mind we were using rapid set, which waits for no man as it's full of excelerators.
      Then fired lou for the tenth time.
      cheers.
      kirk giordano plastering

      Reply

    • Hi frank mead, there is no easier way of getting this wall stuccoed or after 30 years I would have found out this amazing secrete, by hiding in a corner and witnessing this in action.
      A tommy gun would require a minimum of 10 guys, I had a 70,000 dollar tommy gun, however, it would have cost me more to set up than the amount earned doing this by hand,
      hand hopper shoot finishes not base costs, it was made tough looking as the cement plaster my brother kept giving us was awful or stiff and it was about 95 degrees this day.
      cheers,

      kirk giordano

      Reply

  59. Hey Kirk. great job on your info you're on point easy to follow for any novice or anyone that's just curious to know how it's done. I've been doing stucco for almost 9 years so I know a lil about what it takes lol anyways I enjoy watching your videos on the techniques You use the best on yt if u ask me…..

    Reply

    • Evening Raymond Brown, thank you, truer words were never spoken so well.
      Although we always try to work smart, but sometimes this wicked cement plaster has other idea's just to beat us up, either way we still get the job done, with no hard feelings.
      On this job, the sun was hot, the mud stiff, the walls dry, so we had to hustle, it wasn't the sun or the cement stucco that was kicking our arse but my brother who had a bad day which is always a drag.
      cheers,
      kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply

  61. Great videos, Im trying to figure out my strategy for stuccoing my ICF home in Panama City Beach Fl. I have all the videos from the build on my channel. Maybe you could take a look and let me know what you would do as far as weep screeds, expansion joints and corners. These blocks are 2ft long, 16 in tall. 9.5 wide. Cement and styrafoam ICF. expandable adhesive glue..no mortar.

    Reply

    • Morning Stanton Smith , I have no experience with (Insulated Concrete Forms), but have much with the concrete cinder blocks and straw bale homes, our plastering systems mainly consist of wood sheathing systems where traditional lath and plaster is still the most popular or foam clad systems are used, such as the Dry-Vit system.
      The ICF walls are similar and you are in a different state, the rules change from state to state.
      Sorry, I' don't know what is required in your area,
      Best wishes,
      kirk giordano

      Reply

    • we did eiifs on insulated concrete forms, we used fiber glass mesh , u could do it like that put a layer of mix on and then the mesh over and then another layer smooth it out then apply the other product on top if the conctre forms have groovers trough them

      Reply

  62. Great instructional video, thanks. I've not done any stucco before however, I will be soon doing a wall at home. On this video, when you're applying the stucco, a lot of the mud seem to be falling to the ground. I want to know is this to be expected? I mean in business I guess time costs more than the mud?

    Reply

    • Howdy wayne, in this video it was close to 100 degrees and my brother mixed the stiffest stucco ever and it had accelerators in it too,
      the perfect storm for a big mess and twice the work, it happens to the best of us.
      This was a mess of a video, but we got through it.
      cheers,
      Kirk giordano Plastering

      Reply

  63. Kirk….I am building a concrete block wall and will skim coat portland cement finish. The walls footer will be approx 28 inches below surface level. Should I start the skim coat there to protect the wall from water infiltration? Thanks. Tom (Philippines)

    Reply

  64. Just want to say thank you! I'm doing my first wall (6 foot perimeter wall in my back yard) I'm a beginner but I have learned a lot from your videos before I started.
    Thanks for putting these up. I owe you!

    Reply

  65. Kirk, I went to a local Home Center and ask for interior stucco. Nobody could help me with a product to use. Could you recommend interior and exterior DIY products that can be painted or colored ?

    Reply

    • Hi kenneth, stucco is for exterior use, Home depot sells many brands of cement plaster, rapid set is easy, you just add water, however don't over mix this product.
      For interiors use a gypsum based sheetrock compound, these set in 20 minutes to 1 hour.
      Cheers,
      kirk giordano Rendering

      Reply

    • Howdy Jerome, thank you,
      I believe you have reached your clicking destination or hobby,
      over 10,000,000 views sort of means that other folks also find learning to be a good hobby,
      FYI, all of us here at the giordano plastering channel we wish to thank all our subscribers and those of you who accidentally stumble on our channel a happy and prosperous new year
      kirk giordano plastering

      Reply

  68. Kirk someone mentioned to me that I needed to use a metal lathe over cement block wall or the stucco would come off in a few years. how true is that.

    Reply

  71. Love watching your videos and they got me a bit motivated. Is this just straight portland cement, or does it need to be mixed with sand? And possibly a little lime? I have a small wall of 16" high by 45" long I'd like to attempt this on. What kind of coverage can I expect from a 90lb bag of portland cement?

    Reply

    • Howdy Bill Dude, we used Eisenwall on this job, my brother Louuu actually screwed up the mix and gave it to us way to stiff and it was well over a hundred degrees but nothing we could not handle.
      I recommend portland cement plaster three parts sand to one part cement plaster the amount of coverage depends on the thickness applied.
      Live long and plaster
      giordano’s stucco images and teaching videos

      Reply

  73. Hi Kirk,Great videos…I have a quick question.  I have cinder block retaining  walls and am trying to cover them with a skim coat. I did a small part and got hairline cracks in some areas.  I was using type S mortar  from hd premix.  I admit sometimes the mortar got to wet I think.  Am I using the right material? Should I do more than one coat…I did wet the wall before hand. What mix do you use in this video… did you put on a bonding agent before hand? Thanks in advance… appreciate your videos….

    Reply

    • Howdy Steve, sounds to me like you did not hydrate the wall properly, which means one must you a water hose to constantly msit the walls for a good mechanical bond or your mix was too rich and or to soupy.
      Live long and plaster
      Kirk’s how to plastering video’s

      Reply

    • Thanks for the reply…what do you mean by too rich? Maybe type S mortar isn't good for a skim coat? What mix would you recommend for a skim coat…no wire mesh…on cinder block….
      May the plaster be with you…thats one part star wars two part plaster joke…haha

      Reply

    • Howdy Steve, too rich means too much cement plaster and not enough sand.
      I would use 1 part cement plaster with 3 parts sand, but a fella should know how to mix also, can't have soupy mud or stiff mud, it's got to be just right.
      Live long and plaster
      Kirk’s how to plastering video’s

      Reply

  74. Howdy Architex, your reply button does not work, thus the answer to your question here,
    only often do I apply a bonding agent to help stop the absorption on a big wall, I use it mainly for applying plasters over painted surfaces as stucco does not adhere to a painted surface at least for long without it.
    For a new cinder block or cement walls as long as it's very clean stucco will adhere by suctions, this take years sometimes to learn the right amount of water to mist or saturate the walls for this mechanical bond too.
    Live long and plaster
    Kirk’s how to plastering video’s

    Reply

    • Good afternoon Tom, like stucco concrete should cure slowly the hotter the day the more misting is required at the right time.
      If either dries to fast the results can be headlining which is not the end of the world and usually does not compromise the integrity of either cement or stucco.
      Live long and plaster
      Kirk’s how to plastering video’s

      Reply

    • Howdy Tijani Dude, good question, these days all the cement plasters I purchase have them already in the bags, like accelerators,
      retardants or extra lime, a fella just has to know his cement plasters.
      plaster it’s everywhere you want to be
      Sharing DIY Plastering tips from Giordano Plastering

      Reply

  79. We use a tyrolean spray gun to flick speckled render on it first (This stops the top coat from drawing back into the wall) ,then one coat , rule ,float ,finish .

    Reply

    • Howdy Mam dude, I talked to them about you, they said you were fat in high school and had low self-esteem, and couldn't plaster, so they were forced to fire you.
      Hey, I'm just the messenger.
      Live long and plaster
      Teaching you how to stucco your home issues

      Reply

    • Evening Grant dude, thanks for the tip.
      Howver when plastering over cinderblock, cement walls or cinderblocks, a skimcoat is all thats necessary, a fella who applys a scratch coat then a second coat only has a clue as to why, Cinderblocks when mosisetd with water while applying another porus materil such as stucco adheres by a natural meancal bond.
      Live long, and plaster
      Mastering Plastering

      Reply

    • Evening Wyatt Dude, yes I have tried this, it does not work,
      However check out what we do with a normal sized plastering ”go-devel, yesterday,
      I personally applied at least 2 tons in about 3 hours
      This Video was uploaded to my son, Jason’s, site the link is below, the beard behind the camera and fellow plasterer.

      https://youtu.be/biGReowssyU

      Live long, and plaster
      Plastering tips and techniques

      Reply

    • Howdy Hollow Bodies, you can use the same stucco in this video, it's called Rapid Set Stucco at Home Depot or Lowes. It sells in 10 or 15-pound boxes, depending on the store,
      or larger bags, all you do is add water, do not over mix any same day stucco's as they won't have the integrity of properly mixed stucco, 3 to 5 minutes max on mixing.
      Or just plain old Portland cement and mix your own sand with it.
      Best wishes,
      Plastering tips from your favorite stucco geeks

      Reply

    • Howdy Jimmy no doubt, it was close to 100 degree's plus the Rapid Set Eisenwall didn't have any retardants in it, thanks to my one the ball, brother.
      We like to work with skill and professionalism, however, It's tough to watch all crew members who don't have the ability to think like skilled professionals, all my brother, Luuuuuu, needed to do was notice the heat, thus add one or two packs of retardants, we would have saved two hours and all our strength and simply used skill.
      Best wishes,
      Plastering tips from your favorite stucco geeks

      Reply

    • Howdy Kerry, the fellas who applied the stucco did not apply a base coat.
      They only applied a color finish, to me it looks cool, but if I were to do this, I wouod get called back to redo it on my own time and cost.
      Best wishes,
      Plastering tips from your favorite stucco geeks

      Reply

    • The blocks need a first coat to fill in the brick lines or a spray , render tends to shrink back so a first coat needs to be applied on any cinder blocks or any brick or block with deep grout lines .

      Reply

    • Howdy David, depends on the adventure, I don't work in San Fransisco, however, took on a project as it was too a fine architectural, majestic and magnificent facade to pass up.
      Best wishes,
      Plastering tips from your favorite stucco geeks

      Reply

  89. Kirk, On my recent staycation I was involved in 2 home improvement projects which were achieved by learning from your extremely well done tutorial videos. I put a skim coat of concrete on my front porch and patched a hole in a plaster ceiling. Both jobs turned out fairly successfully at least from a cosmetic standpoint. I guess only time will tell if they will continue to stand the test of time. "sometimes you just don't know what you don't know. So any way thanks for the help.

    Reply

    • Howdy Jay Dee, yes, La Habra wrote the book on plastering, in fact, La Habra came out with coloring stucco back in 1926, then Western followed I beleive in 1936 and so on.
      Peace love and happiness to all.
      Plastering and repair tips for your number one investment

      Reply

    • sandy girl not sure how stucco works but usually if it’s mouldy it means it isn’t sealed properly and needs to sprayer off ,a coat bond creted , (not sure what they call it in the us) , then a primer paint needs to be applied and then two top coats of paint . You will never see any mould ,10 year guaranteed. In the old old days they used to lime wash over the cement render to seal it .

      Reply

    • sandy – around here we usually get mold if and when the following conditions are present;
      '…Mold spores are everywhere, and they grow on any organic surface, given the right conditions. For growth, they require organic matter for food, moisture, warmth, and oxygen. To prevent mold growth, keep all surfaces clean and dry, and provide plenty of ventilation…' / that's from the University of IL.online

      Reply

    • Howdy Sand girl, Yearly? Mold should be cleaned regularly with Clorox bleach or a Non-Toxic Enzyme cleaner, we personally use Kleen-Free Naturally, sold on Amazon.
      Peace love and happiness to all.
      Plastering and repair tips for your number one investment

      Reply

  100. Lol the story about the contractor messing with you about the fish pond had me chuckling. I loved your response.. ''I thought… what an asshole.. Ok he got me…'' To dam funny

    Reply

  102. Pisano… Cement block or is it cinder block?
    Hopefully a cancer free 2019 for me, I am very optimistic.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours, from me and mine.
    M Mancuso AKA: the Bowzer.

    Reply

  103. Kirk I was a laborer in masonry for 8 years and we would "dust" ( brush our walls with a dry brush ) to prevent cracking of the joints , would you use that same method when it comes to plastering ? To prevent cracking when it cures.

    Reply

    • Good Evening Nicholas, unlike wood walls which expands in the heat, which in turns pushes the stucco outward, thus, hairlineing, bricks, blocks cement and Cementitious products like Cement blocks don't expand.
      The best method for protection against drying too fast is constant watering from the water hose to the area where you're working on.
      Hydration is the key to slowing down the set time.
      We did this wall in a hundred degrees heat, didn't help with using the fastest setting stucco either.
      FYI, we used Eisenwall cement plaster.
      Peace, love and happiness to all.
      Sharing stucco wisdom and or common sense plastering tips

      Reply

    • Howdy Miguel, that would have lasted about three years.
      I am responsible for my work for a lifetime.

                                 Peace, love, and harmony to all
               Sound Plastering tips for the DIY beginner’s and Plastering experts

      Reply

    • Howdy Michael, we do know what we were doing but didn't know it was going to be record-breaking heat.
      Good thing I love the heat.

                                 Peace, love, and harmony to all
               Sound Plastering tips for the DIY beginner’s and Plastering experts

      Reply

    • @Kirk Giordano plastering Inc.
      You have been a tremendous help to me in my personal home efforts. Was in the commercial flooring trade so I was experienced in smoothing out & transitioning all types of substrates. What you do is so much more technical & finessed. Kudos…& again big thanks for your help to us all!

      Reply

    • Howdy Brian my fellow plasterer from Ireland, this was a really hot day, over 100 degrees plus my brother luuu, mixed us some stiff mud that had accelerators in it.
      I had to wet the wall continuously on this day, plus we colored it about an hour later, that video is in the description.
      I dont think it gets that hot in Ireland, plus not making excuses, but my brother made us work our arse's off with the stiff mud he mixed, he didn't account for one of the hottest days of the year.

                                 Peace, love, and harmony to all
               Sound Plastering tips for the DIY beginner’s and Plastering experts

      Reply

    • Greetings Trucker, a pebble dash finish mean taking any aggregate such as shells or glass then throwing this preferred aggregate into the still wet stucco.
      I'd use almost any stucco, the key is to throw the pebbles or shells into the stucco before it gets too hard.
      There are many of these creative finishes in the UK where plastering is a real art.

      Get plastered like stucco
      Kirk and Jason Giordano’s sound plastering advice

      Reply

  117. Oh I forgot to say if you don't water it 3 times a day for 3 days its going to crack and the strength of the plaster will be poor and before you do a wall like that that's out side you need to put a first coat I don't know the name you use in us but that you need to do and water it for 3 times a day and 3days

    Reply

    • Evening Robert, atta boy, thank you.
      but actually the guys from the UK wrote the book on plastering, stucco or rendering, they have been at it for 6,000 years while here in the U.S.A. about 200 years.
                               Another day at the office for us, 
        Sharing stucco secrets and or common sense plastering tips

      Reply

  125. Personally I would have the mix wetter, most plasterers would do that wall on there own so it would go off to quick, as a bricklayer myself I thought the blocks were a bit untidy, maybe knock up quick

    Reply

    • Greetings Plymouth, the hod carrying on this video was the worst ever.
      My brother mixed the stiffest Eisenwall cement plaster ever and it was close to 100 degree's, but we managed to apply the base coat and to apply the color finish on the same day, there was little fun applying a basecoat that was in the process of setting.

      May Peace, love, and harmony find us all 
               Sound Plastering tips for the DIY beginner or the Plastering experts

      Reply

    • Greetings Kirk Van Camp, yes, the Tera Cotta must be really clean, plus I'd advise a bonding agent to be painted over the Tera Cotta bricks
      May Peace, love, and harmony find us all 
               Sound Plastering tips for the DIY beginner or the Plastering experts

      Reply

  133. Just wondering why you used mesh corners on this block wall where in another block wall video you suggested not using corners at all (you used wet 2×4 method instead). Love the videos thank you for the content.

    Reply

    • Greetings my friend, good question, I used corner aid on this repair as I knew I would have a crew and didn't have time to build these by hand.
      The other videos, where I explained how to use a two by for stud was to show the method of how-to, not everyone wants to find then buy corners. I try and explain many alternatives for different repairs. There's more than one way to skin a cat.

      Bringing peace, love, and harmony to plastering 
               Sound Plastering tips for the DIY beginner or the Plastering experts

      Reply

    • Good evening Pop, I use Hannsons Lehigh cement plaster it has lime and common plaster already mixed in the bags, we just add sand and water.
      Bringing peace, love, and harmony to plastering 
        The complete plastering encyclopedia on video, by the plastering messengers of Youtube

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    • Evening Frank, thank you, have to keep on working as if I dont those obnoxious bills keep coming. I tried telling them I was taking a break and not to bill me for water or electricity, but do they care????? Nooooooo
      Introducing peace, love, and harmony back into the world of plastering.
      The University of plastering by Kirk and Jason Giordano

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  140. Hi Kirk. I am in the Philippines, where there is no premix (Stucco). There is Portland Cement, sand and aggregate, though. How do I mix these (ratio) to do the same on lath that you did on blocks? Thank you very much.

    Reply

    • Evening my friend, I don't use pre-mixed stucco, ever.
      We mix a bag of cement plaster with three times as much sand.
      Again, 3 parts sand to one part stucco.

      Bringing peace, love, and harmony back to the world of plastering.
        The complete plastering encyclopedia on video, by the plastering messengers of Youtube.  
      Over 800 videos

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  141. Just a quick question…here in Poland before the final layer of Portland cementious mud, we put a primer to make a better bond between the layers. On the video you did't do it…isn't there a risk of coming off the final coat? Appreciate your answer…

    Reply

    • Evening Robert, No. Whenever possible, I prefer what we plasterers over here call a natural mechanical bond, when one wets the wall then applies the naturally wet stucco, this action creates an adhesion that is not compromised by any man-made glue or bonding agent.
      I use bonding agents to kill the suctions, sometimes when applying smooth finishes or when applying stucco to painted surfaces, usually.

      Bringing peace, love, and harmony back to the world of plastering.
        The complete plastering encyclopedia on video, by the plastering messengers of Youtube.  
      Over 800 videos

      Reply

    • Evening Rob, atta boy, good attitude.
      Bringing peace, love, and harmony back to the world of plastering.
      With over 800 educational and free Youtube videos, by your favorite plaster geek, “me,” and Jason, my son, the bearded plasterer.

      Reply

    • Evening Mr. Grey, they didn't have or make, "portland cement plaster" Portland came for the UK about 140 years ago. The house in question is built with lime plaster, It's best to use once more lime plaster. It's tough to find it here in the U.S.
      I did a video titled, "Lime plastering." Many folks wrote in to suggest where to buy Lime plaster.
      Bringing peace, love, and harmony back to the world of plastering.
      With over 800 educational and free Youtube videos, by your favorite plaster geek, “me,” and Jason, my son, the bearded plasterer.

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  149. Hi Kirk,being right handed I was taught some 40 yrs ago on scratch coats,base coats to work right to left so your coating back on yourself , the idea is the heel of your trowel is working of what is laid on already and your not thinning out you material and coat is more even,were as finishing coats you want to thin it out at end of your sweep. P.S. can you send that yellow thing in the sky over the pond please.

    Reply

  157. I’ve seen you do a wonderful job on many projects, I have a cinderblock wall with a stone finish that I would like to have a float finish. How do I get this stone to build up so there are no holidays then wet sponge float finish

    Reply

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