Plastering is considered an art form by many, requiring expert precision and finesse to achieve the perfect finish, something which can only be achieved if the correct surface preparation is carried out beforehand.

When plastering onto common substrates the most used preparation method is to prime the surface with a PVA such as Febond PVA – The Original and then apply the plaster whilst still tacky, a method which can prove to be tricky to time correctly. On smooth, non-porous substrates such as glazed tiles and concrete, further preparation is needed as the surfaces required a key for the plaster to adhere to. This can be done in several ways including using meshing, abrading the surface or adding sand to the PVA mix, all of which can be incredibly messy and time consuming.

Now there are a wide range of plaster bonding agents on the market which can speed up the preparation time and provide the perfect key to all surfaces; even the more problematic ones. Products such as Febond Blue Grit are specifically designed to provide an improved key to surfaces including plaster, concrete, painted surfaces and glazed tiles by incorporating a fine aggregate into the mix, whilst also reducing suction on highly porous substrates such as blockwork.

Febond PVA - The Original

Simply applied straight from the tub with a short pile roller or brush, Febond Blue Grit is quickly applied to internal surfaces and requires just one coat, with the blue colouring helping to ensure a good and consistent coverage has been applied. It is often said that the plaster on top is only as strong as the bonding agent beneath so a good coverage is essential to ensure no weak spots are found once the plaster is applied.

Another benefit of Febond Blue Grit is that it is plastered over once dry, usually after around 6 hours, taking the guesswork out of drying times associated with traditional PVA methods.

These types of products are ideal for repair, maintenance and improvement projects where difficult surfaces are likely to be encountered and are a perfect solution in tiled bathroom or kitchen areas where the removing of old tiles could cause costly damage to the existing wall behind. Having the option of leaving these tiles in place is a solution which is welcomed by many in the trade however it should be remembered that tiles cannot be directly applied to the bonding agent so it is essential that the surface is skimmed before any further work takes place.

With the popularity of bonding agents increasing, there’s now no excuse for anything but perfect plastering!