Stucco or Plastering Trowels, carbon steel or stainless steel trowels, which ones are better?
Stucco Trowels, carbon steel or stainless steel trowels,
My thoughts on Stucco and or Plastering Trowels.
Stainless Steel is usually offered in the most available sizes of trowels.
These will not typically include rust. They can be used for just about anything and are a higher-quality trowel that lasts longer and will not discolor finish materials.
It is tempered evenly throughout to normalize the structure of the metal and create uniform hardness.
Stainless steel is slightly heavier and less flexible than carbon steel. However, it holds the sharpness of an edge well. Used commonly in concrete and plasterwork.
Carbon Steel is a strong, lightweight option that is more flexible than stainless steel. In addition, it can be tempered harder than stainless steel due to the carbon content. This is also commonly used in concrete and plasterwork.
Blue Steel is tempered at higher degrees; the blue steel is typically a little thinner than carbon steel, allowing the blade to flex slightly. This allows us as plasterers to move the plastering mud where we want it to go using our wrist. Sure the metal is harder but adds a spring to it.
This process also gives the steel the final blue color it is known by.
This is mainly used in the concrete world, but I love plastering, whether inside or externally.
Blue steel is popular for pool trowels due to its hardness with added spring, allowing finishers to easily follow a curve’s radius.
Note: all of these trowels can rust a little bit; if you want to prolong any plastering or stucco trowel, wipe it clean throat for the day’s use, then when storing it, you can swipe a bit of oil on it both sides to prevent rust.
Have I applied oil on both sides of the blade to prevent rusting? Yes, I didn’t care if rust appeared for the first year, the last 35; I simply scrape them on the sidewalk or curb?
One might think, man, that’s a horrible way to treat a trowel, I believe, it’s not really the trowel, but in the skill level in the applicator, as I can use any trowel and make it work, but prefer my handy Dady 20 or 18-inch swim-pool trowel. See below why, as it’s not what most think.
PLASTER TROWEL
https://amzn.to/2X3LHgN/The Trowel in this link is my absolute favoritist and bestests trowel for interior plastering as it’s 5 inches wide by 18 inches long, “unfortunately,” it’s too big for most folks.
Still, the only one that the width is 5 inches thus has much more flex for the plasterer for better controlling and hard steel troweling, perfect for the plasterer who does a lot of lime finishing or just plaster repairs complete walls.
I’d recommend the 16 x 4 1/2 below for more minor patchwork.
It’s called Bon 12-318 Curry Swim Pool Trowel, Carbon steel 16-inch x 4 1/2-inch, Flexible rounded blade, Short shank Camelback wood handle, Lightweight, Designed for extended wear.
The video below explains my preferred choice of trowel for interior or exterior plastering.https://youtu.be/X_SRyTIVMbU/
It’s all about hand-eye coordination
Now you Know.
The videos below are key-worded in all Languages for your education and amusement.
https://youtu.be/iiC8HUKLyHs/ stucco or plaster bonding agents painted wall surfaces
https://youtu.be/9KeC3_-0NkE/ Stucco buckling fixing loose or separated buckling stucco walls.
https://youtu.be/ayrdFd3MmIc/ failures in stucco patching, sh!t happens.
https://youtu.be/9S1goySHDa8/ stucco family working in harmony.
Next, kick back, relax, and enjoy the video!
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Feel free to check out our recommended tools on our Amazon website below.
Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc.
https://www.StuccoPlastering.com/ My website and contact information
https://www.GiordanoPlastering.com/ MY son, Jason’s Website
Kirk & Jason Giordano’s worldwide online free teaching stucco channel.
Thank you all for watching, and wishing all a great day!
Of these you described what is more similar to Gunite and then the "plaster" that's put over it in swimming pools?
good job. thank you.
Now thats a MASTER CLASS, By the on and only KIRK…;-)
Good to see this video bro:-)
Like the shoe method especially after a long day.
Russell Martin so does Kirk.
I don't care what kind of trowel it is, i can make them all work as long as they're not bent inward or outward too much but i suppose it's helpful for the weekend warriors with a bit of ambition 🙂
@Jesse Jackson No, not really, it's just practice, when you do something every day for a long time you kind of get good at it. Anyone can do it if they try and they like it.
@My Name Is Alin well one day I want to be as good as you and Kirk. anyway have a goodnight
Good concrete job.
Instantly I think of these guys.
You'll enjoy these vids Kirk.
I do.
https://youtu.be/5h6Ov3ZqnEQ
Hellooo Kirk I have a carbon steel trowel mate any tips on how you get the rust back of it ??
Frankie A, use the dam thing and just like that, NO RUST. See how easy that is.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. DAM, REALLY Kirk?!!!!!!
@Jesse Jackson I ment the back of the trowel but cheers for telling me, YOUR MY HERO
@Frankie A peace and love bro.
@Frankie A thank you for letting me be your HERO, I was beginning to think you didn't care. It makes my day being your HERO. Peace and love bro. Keep up keeping up.
Why is your stucco the color of mortar?
Portland cement is grey color as natural.
Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. oooh ok thank you, usually when I stucco I just buy the white stucco in bags, I would like to start making it myself, im pretty good at stuccoing and masonry work but i have alot to learn with the different ways to mic and what to use, i do chimney work so mostly only use mortar and stucco
I just wash my trowel every hour or so with a brush and water
Thanks Kirk, for another great video
Great video , like ever
Thank you for all you videos. Could you do a video on shapes in plaster. In my town, at one time they used shaped cement blocks with sharply angled edges. And another that had a kind of dimpled surface. Are things like that possible in stucco. I can send pictures if you'd like. Again thank you for all you help and advice. You make it very enjoyable to watch.
Thanks Kirk, long story, this is a railroad town, and there used to be a massive cement plant here. Employees used to take any spilled concrete mix and they had a little concrete block cottage business in the area. Concrete plants long gone, but quite a few houses and allot of garages are made out of the shaped blocks they made. I love the look, and always wondered if I could stucco my home to look like the shaped blocks, I've seen your video on how to make it look like flat block, but these are shaped. The squared off ones are like a cement block with the face side having the edges with 44 angles. So is it possible to use stucco to make a faux block to look like that? Thanks again.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. dam are you having problems with your eyes Kirk? It's okay we all have problems when we get older like us. Peace and love bro.
@Vee Cee YES,
I soakem in vinegar, man I love old broke in plaster tools I'd be someone who really appreciates an old plaster tool,btw my favorite trowel is nella, curry and Marshall town
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. it will eat the metal off your hawk let it soak overnight
5:15 That's partially true when you add bigger rock you get more PSI but when you want extremely hard concrete you need to add basically really fine dust and fill all tiny spots in concrete meaning smaller that dust particle is then less there will be air cavities and concrete is much harder.
I was always curious what the difference was – now I know! Thanks Kirk.
14:00 haha what’s Looouuuu doing sitting way over there?
5 gallon bucket full of vinegar. Throw the wrecked trowels in there 24 hours. It will take off rust and eat through concrete. If you put vinegar on cement, it will eat through that as well. Vinegar is ~5% acid, so it takes longer then acid you can buy for the pool. Give em a little scrub with some steel wool and that old junk will be usable again. also wear gloves. or you will turn orange, brown, and black. Wooden handles will take on that color as well.
Or just keep them clean and avoid the feminine douche.
Apple cider vinegar works best for concrete burn as well
Kirk GIordano ROCK!
Curry trowels, a man of taste 😀
Hey Kirk you folks stay safe out there…..
Thanks for another great video J! Youre the man Kirk
love this one guys!!!
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. okay Kirk, this will say a lot about you, to answer a question for yourself or your audience?
Its good to see ye taking covid precautions Kirk, Stay safe and take care from your fans in Ireland:-)
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Live long And Plaster, God bless &Take care 🙂
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. I feel ya bro, cali popo sucks. LOL
Hey Jay & Kirk (&fam).
As always great content! Already shared the link with a buddy. *just a lil friendly feedback on this vids ad to content ratio – was allot of ad interruptions (ironically even got one during the sign off) . don't know how much control in setting up this aspect but felt need to mention cuz I want more folk to see & learn & appreciate your works. As always the content won out overall. Best to you all there. Peace
Kirk, good physics demo; I know the tools better, but it is all in the wrists. Have a problem, watching your channel I am becoming familiar with your trade. So in saying I had a guy put structolite around my exterior window? What do I do?
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Dam Kirk, I'm beginning to like you.
I have a job for ya We are looking to have the brick chimney match the stucco of the house So, the location is in Vacaville So, let us know ! Great vids & Thanks for sharing trade secrets !!
Alright, Ill be calling Ken in the morning Thanks!
Kirk mann that's one big ol George foreman grill you put that waffle mix in and you let my waffles get hard brotha. Say, i saw a video where a gentleman bought a new magnesium trowel and he showed that you must break them in by oiling them , is this true? If so wow ! Doing a remodel of an old house and the roof leaked at one point and i swear i think they had the theory of it only leaks when it rains , so when i went to start peeling the chipping paint the whole ceiling wanted to peel so i floated about half the ceiling and i wobbly going out your point of trying to mix your own mud then mud hod work and it being hot from all the fires it was a 97 outside and about 100 inside and that's with no windows all windows had been pulled out for repairs. Anyways hey thanks for all the great videos and doing the homework for us so we can pass your class. Stay safe, stay cool and don't stick up that may smoke. ✌
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. so I'm guessing you have never seen a putlog and 16'. I'm sure that's not needed for residential work though, I'm sorry I guess you can't have known. Peace and love bro.
Dats Conk Reet baybe.
Thanks for the amazon links! I have been watching a few vids now! Just subscribed. Can you set up one amazon storefront with your recommendation – that would be great!
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. yep, you can say that again. Peace and love bro.
If we all had his attitude while at work we would be a lot happier and look 40 when we're 60.
haha. nice friend… You are so fun to watch. You make the video about educating us on plastering but also "hook" us by being an open book and learning about you. i always wonder how successful people became that way and it is so obvious in you. take care man!
Soodypop, I agree
Hey Kirk, I didn't see any of the 20" curry pool trowels on the site. Just the 16" which is not available at the time. Do you know where to get the 20"?
Kirk, do you have a stucco referral/buddy in Colorado?
@Todd Douglas todd, do some research on any contractor you hire. Go look at jobs and talk to as many people as possible and try the material yards that sell to the professional you are wanting to hire, they will usually have knowledge you want, good luck
@Jesse Jackson Thanks, I’m not seeking a contractor, rather a videographer. A contractor is easy but an expert in explaining what is wrong with a job while video tapping is not so easy.
@Todd Douglas I'm sorry, I miss understood. Anyway good luck. but my response is to you asking Kirk if he had any stucco/ buddy.
@Jesse Jackson no, no thanks for your help!
@Todd Douglas DAMMM, okay. Triggered.lol
Watch your videos all the time im from arizona and do stucco
Love the trade and hard work keep up the videos kirk
Kirk , there are no young bucks that want to learn the trade….but if you have one send him to Florida for me!!! LOL
Chad, I feel your pain. So here's what you could do. Drive over to El Paso and have some lunch, those young bucks just start jumping in the back of your truck. It's always worked well for me. Your welcome. Enjoy your lunch.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. i really dont need help my brother with Stucco or Stone work been doing it and doing it well…since 1992 and finding someone to learn the trade well that is another story…
Hey Kirk. Im building a outdoor bar in my backyard. The electrician roughed in a 3 gang box for the light switches. The box is flush with the plywood. That wall is going to get stuccoed. What can I use to get a clean flush look around that box. Im doing the lath work. Thanks for all your great videos!
Matt if you can't bring the box out to the face of the plaster then you can order a special rigglet and or use stop casing but if you can adjust the box to the face of the plaster then still use stop casing but then there are plenty of covers to choose from. But your best bet is to get the right box for the application. Good luck
Great advice! Clear and easy to understand. Not to mention Kirk is very entertaining!
Just got done patching stucco for the first time. I have a bunch more sections to do. Thank you for all your advice. I couldn't have done it without your channel.
so clever.
One for the algorithm….I did not know that, many thanks again.
I'm going to Amazon to look for that plastering trowel right now.
I'll lead my search with Kirk Giordano.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. I just finished rehabbing a block foundation on rental here in Buffalo where I live. (And not a day too soon).
Weather turned on me but I'm backfilling over the next couple of days.
Referred back to your channel time and again before and during the job.
Thanks for all the good advice!!
Dam Kirk, a little animosity toward the cement trade
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Kirk, I really enjoy your videos, I know I can be a bit of a ass but I really do learn some from you, thank you. Peace and love bro.
YOU GOT TO KEEP THEM AGGREGATED !! HEY!! 4 to 5 inches it makes a difference HEY!
stucco is Portland & masonry ? mixed together