Stucco Scarifier or horizontal scratcher lines in the scratch coat of stucco.
Howdy all, what do you think, straight horizontal lines or wavy with a Scratcher or Scarifier.
That’s a trick question. It doesn’t matter.
FYI, is anyone interested in why the red tape is on end? The answer is in this video below,
This video explains in detail how and why scratch lines in the first coat of plaster, whether wavy or horizontal, with a Scratcher or Scarifier, makes little difference.https://youtu.be/XqN3IA9iD3w/
One fact does indeed make a difference. The scratch line should never be vertical.
This horizontal scratching provides what we call the plastering industry a key to creating a natural mechanical bond between the scratch coat and the brown coat, or what is referred to as the second coat of stucco. Scratch lines.
more about scratch lines below.
https://youtu.be/XqN3IA9iD3w/ Why Scratch or Scarifier lines are keys in the first coat of plaster wavy, vertical or horizontal scratch
https://youtu.be/suQM8-8CtiU/ Plastering first coat of plaster, Scratch Coat for beginners
https://youtu.be/JvaqSpzOcu8/ what is a scratch coat, why scratch it with a scarifier
https://youtu.be/DJgsAQCoK58/ Stucco Scarifier, Scratcher to put scratch marks, lines in the first coat of stucco
Next, kick back, relax, and enjoy the video!
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Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc.
https://www.StuccoPlastering.com/ My website and contact information
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Thank you all for watching, and wishing all a great day!
Good to see you're back to work, and new videos. Thanks
Always good stuff from Kirk and crew.
I've seen the finish coat slide right off the wall because over time gravity would cause it to sag, crumble, and just slide right off. Horizontal for life! Kirk Giordano is the man! This guy been doing plaster longer than I been alive.
So whats the difference between what you are using then an actual scratcher tool
Like everything else buddy, red tape
Straight lines for straight shooters 🙂
Hi Kirk. Love your videos. what about scratch lines that go at 45 degree angle and they cris cross it looks like lots of diamond shapes on the wall. Why is this not been used as it was used like this for centuries?
Evolution. Work smart not hard
This knowledge is always top notch. It’s always better to do it right than to do it over. I couldn’t imagine finding you hard work had slid down but was so easily preventable.
The MAN with the GROOVE`S..;-)
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Your the BEST Kirk, PEACE AND HAPPINESS TO YOU AND FAMILY.
I do both. Horizontal and vertical.
Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. same here Kirk ✌️
common sense goes along ways…..always think ahead, if your putting on another coat is it going to easier or harder for mud to slide of with vertical or horizontal scratch lines…..stucco is pretty basic in principal….
can I spread out the amount of time it takes me to skim coat cinder block wall ? as in doing sections at a time over 6 weeks.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Thank you, your the best!
Giordanos Pizza ? is this in your family?
Lol I will like a slice
Always feels good to see you
U tell em Kirk, sick of people telling me horizontal scratching is no good. Its served me well for over 20 years. My response is, im the master of the plaster
Hi Kirk
Few questions
I live in Indiana near Chicago and it’s get 40 below in the winter is there any problem with plastering in that kind of weather
I bought old house and the siding is made from aluminum can I plaster on the aluminum with the mesh or I should take it off and do it With paper and mesh metal
And thank you for your generosity and sharing.
kick ass
Nice tips and video. I will remember to support you on amazon.
Nice job like always
you make that rapid set stuff look easy. I did my front stairs with that stuff and man that stuff set so quick I almost had to re do it and it was only 2 steps ! Live long and plaster dude.
Hi Kirk i got a old hose made in the 30s and it's has like a 1/2 of stucco and plaster and I want to take some old rotton windows out of the back and and make it like the rest how can I due it so it dont show or crack around it cause someone did some door on the house and they cracked and are obvious shown plus some broke off at the bottom from buckling can I due it or would it be best to get someone to due it
You are the man kirk, love your videos. I pour concrete so i undestand everything
love the seireis, love the family shots, and the environments where you shoot. Pro!
Hello Kirk, I love your videos, and this one on scratching provided some key clarification for me. QUESTION: Will you ever do a video showing how to do stucco with half-timbering, such as on a Tudor style house? I have often wondered how the half timbers are flashed, and what has to be done to allow the wood to expand and contract so as to not crack the stucco….. Thanks! Chuck
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Thanks Kirk for your quick and detailed reply to my question! I don't deserve such kindness, so I am all the more grateful!
I think people over think every thing but the golden rule! Nothing sticks to dirt and dust!
"cris – cross" they make it !
If you do wavy scratch marks , when you wet the wall the water runs to the bottom of each wave , makes the wall unevenly wet .
You are awesome! I love your videos! They have helped me so much with my DIY!
Ace!
I've been plastering for 40 years and served my time with my dad, who started work in the 1920s. He used to tell me that a horizontal scratch was for warm weather, to hold the moisture, in the winter, a diamond scratch, to let the water drain from the back, to make it easier to finish.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. From one old timer to another, keep up the good work, I suspect, like me, you're still in love with your trade. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Stay safe.
A life without Giordano videos is no life at all…please make MORE? GREETINGS from Baltimore
Hi Kirk can you have blue tape instead of red?
Sure. If you want everyone to laugh at you.
People ask me gee wiz kirk, what happens if you use blue tape instead of red tape? The house will collapse. I'm just kidding guys, nothing will happen, I do it aaaall the time, it's fine.
My dad also has a plastering, painting and fasading buissnes so i know a lot about his work.
I woud recomend to use fiber mesh or steel mesh instead of the scratch coat because it will also reinforce the plaster but keep in mind that the mesh might not be available in usa so u can just scratch it but if u want it realy strong use mesh. Nice vid btw
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Yes thats what i meant because here we only do styrofoam fasades and standard no isolation plaster is extreamly rare. Thanks for responding
Pon subtitulos en español
Aprende inglés Octavio
@Mr Critic que aprendan ingles los que bienen a españa yo no tengo qe aprender nada porque fuera de españa no voy a ir
@Octavio Moreno Por la misma razón, Kirk no necesita poner subtítulos en español si no se va de Estados Unidos, ¿verdad?
good video, but I have a question? What is a clinker? You said it twice. I never heard that term before
Piece of dirt like a small stone that messes up the mud when you try to spread it and make it smooth.
Good video Kirk, right on the spot as usual keep up the good work.
I suspect the plaster adheres at a molecular level so horizontal or vertical doesn't matter, as long as there are grooves that increase the surface area.
You have opposing forces and gravity to keep in mind…nerd alert…definitly keep your keys on a plane somewhat parallel to earth surface….when applicable it would be beneficial to oppose force in a wave pattern….good day
How do you prep around the wooden beams that are external? We have a lot of that in AZ and I wonder how it's protected from the weather, meaning can water seep along the wood into the house? On another note, what a time I had getting someone to come out and do stucco work. Seems no one wanted to work. Well, one did and he got it done. One guy gave me a quote, I said yes and then he ghosted me. Anyway, it's done.
Kirk, the idea of wave is to counter expansion/contraction in the horizontal plane.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc.
That's what we're taught in UK anyway. Horizontal lines counter gravity but waves will counter horizontal contraction and expansion.
Vertical questions matter.
@Kirk were do you get the white shirts that you wear???
Happy Friday !! Holy crap, you do great work……and the videos are incredible training videos……thank you incredibly to you and your family and team(more family) that helps to support these videos…… All of you are legends……thank you again. Wishing you all the best. Stay safe and be well. 🙂
Waves give you more surface coverage against stress tension, make sure it’s flat because if your top coat is thick the waves will cause sag lines, I just rule my scratch coat and use horizontal lines without waves. The waves only need to be very slight, not severe!
Ireland derry it called donegal wave… Just like the mexican wave.. Best renderer I ever seen..
The waves (not as exaggerated as you demonstrated) are to reduce surface tension during curing/drying process of the scratch coat. Although we typically use a tine scratcher in the UK as opposed to your scratcher, I've seen them around but much prefer the tine type.
Have you had more information about the health benefits of plaster with minerals in it?
The lines should be wiggly not wavy the distance between top of one wave and the top of the next should be about 4inch not 2 feet I’m a third generation plasterer and a college lecturer trust me it’s better it offers better key and the top coat tends not to slide as much in cold or wet conditions when the top coat doesn’t have much suction when I see straight lines I assume a bad tradesman just because you’ve done something all your life doesn’t make it right I’m still learning if I see something better I use it and I don’t close my eyes and ears to new ideas
My dad got taught by his uncles. He taught me. I always scratch as you described nnever straight.
My dad taught me to always scratch in a wave as it creates traps and bridges. Also if it rains the water wont sit like it does in straight lines.it tends to rain a fair bit in england. But its just the way i was taught. Keep up the good work, kind regards fom wessex.
Hello Kirk, Thanks for the videos. Very helpful. Did my first stucco on my block wall. I didn't have to call my father-in-law for help. He did plastering for many years and he was impressed for my first time job.
Hey Kirk,
Thanks for all the info,
What would be the best "substrate" behind the 2ply paper when longevity is considered,and the amount of rain we get here in the islands of hawaii and shear is not required,what would you recommend?straight studs,plywood,hardie board,foam,denseglass,etc…?
Mahalo nui Giordano ohana.
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. thanks man,i love the passion
Great video Kirk Giordano .Horizontal on a vertical wall makes absolute total sense. Thank you for your videos.
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! Inspired me to tackle some home-gamer plaster work. Plastered it will get!
Hey Kirk! I am still subscribed to your great videos. Learning about life and plastering, all-in-one. Cheers!
Hi, Kirk. Can you recommend a way to remove cement/stucco from a painted concrete wall? Somebody splashed what looks like cement-cloudy water. The concrete wall's painted green and I hope not to damage the paint. Thank you!
@Kirk Giordano === Thank you, sir!
Kirk I'm up in Mass, and we got your California Stucco for a chimney repair…worked great after we used our "bonding agent" and some scratch lines with a grinder.
Hi Kirk New to your channel. I have a home that was built in 1939. We have a sidewalk running along the side of our house the previous owner decided to put some tar in the cracks between the concrete sidewalk and our stucco walls I have removed all the tar and loose debris as well as knocked off most of the cracked stucco and was wondering what is the best process to fill those cracks between the house and the sidewalk Some of the cracks are 3 to 4 inches without having to tear up the whole sidewalk and replace it as I really don’t have that kind of money. There an easier solution to this problem sort of a 10 to 15 year fix?
I love this stuff. Great
So, can you make a video on how to plaster an earthbag home. My stucco falls off of the bags. Or what do you suggest I need to do?
Never seen any plaster dude doing that here in Finland and we have cold winters and warm summer and all houses with plaster exterior surface works well, must be something different in mortar i guess.
Good job kirk
I watched most of your videos, i did my entire house but i still ould tell why i like eatchi g your videos. Now i know…. You teach not simply plastering but all the history that goes with it and all the examples the good and bad ones. Pure love. Thank you!!! Much love from Hungary!!!
Some UK builders insist on horizontal and vertical scratch coat with cement renders .
You gave a link for internal plastering .Its a different process .
Hey kirk I'm going to be installing stone on to my house. Can you help me out. Is this first scratch coat the only coat I need to do before installing the stone.
mtbsobe that’s all! Pretty simple
in a lot of your videos I keep hearing you call a "key hole" a "key", they are 2 different parts of the same mechanics and each has it's own name. if you walk up to a door and point to the hole where a key goes in do you call it a key? no, it is a hole, the key is the thing that goes inside the hole. like the space between lath is a key-hole the plaster forms the key. love all the bits of info I'm picking up from you, thanks, not trying to sound like a dick just want to share some info.
Mexican plasters are the best
I’m laying stone If some of the scratch coat gets stepped on before curing and is flattened how should I fix the issue?
I installed new copper pipe through a wall. Stucco guy will patch it soon. Do I need to protect the pipe or is it OK for stucco to touch it?