How to Apply Plaster to a Wall With a Plastering Trowel

Properly applying plaster takes practice and attention to detail. Plaster is typically applied with a plastering trowel, a rectangular piece of metal with a handle. The plaster is smoothed onto the wall with the trowel and allowed to dry. Plastering a wall yourself can save the expense of hiring a professional, but you should practice on a large piece of cardboard if possible before deciding to handle the plastering on your own.

Bucket
Plaster hawk

Instructions

- 1
  Mix the plaster with cold water in a bucket. Follow the manufacturer’s directions closely to ensure that you use the correct quantity of water. The plaster mixture should be the consistency of toothpaste.
- 2
  Immerse the tip of the plastering trowel into a bucket of clean water and rub the trowel across the face of a plaster hawk. A plaster hawk is a square, typically made of aluminum, with a handle on the bottom. The plaster hawk is used to hold plaster during the application process so the installer does not have to constantly return to the mixed plaster supply. Wetting the trowel and plaster hawk will prevent the plaster from adhering to the hawk.
- 3
  Scoop up some plaster with the trowel and scrape the plaster off onto the plaster hawk.
- 4
  Scoop up some of the plaster onto the bottom half of the plaster trowel while holding the trowel horizontally.
- 5
  Spread the plaster onto the wall starting at the bottom of the wall and moving upward. Begin with only the bottom edge of the trowel touching the wall. Gradually press the top of the trowel towards the wall while applying the plaster.
- 6
  Smooth the plaster on the down stroke, but this time with only the top edge of the trowel touching the wall.
- 7
  Repeat Steps 3 through 6 until the entire wall is plastered.

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