CT 3 Interior Plaster

Quinn Kalich attaches wooden lathe back to the fire place

Peter Santino, master plasterer and interior finishes craftsman, is instructing students are learning traditional plastering  mixing and application, as well as, learning how to remove, repair and re-install broken plaster keys and lathe. Seen here is student, Quinn Kalish (left) replacing lathe on a fire place prepping it to receive a traditional lime putty, sand mortar mix as a base coat then a final finish coats  of joint compound and small mixture of Plaster of Paris (gypsum) for the final finish coast. Plaster walls and ceilings provide a great sound and thermal barrier when they are in proper shape, and most importantly are of craftsmanship that is HISTORIC!!

Peter Santino applying Lime Putty and sand as a base coat
showing proper "Italian" style throwing the
mud onto the wall

Peter feather boarding the second base coat to thickness to prepare for  the beggining of the finish coats

Using a "scarifier" to sctratch the base coat
 for the application of finsih coats

applying  fiber mesh is tedious work because sometimes surfaces and adhesive may not be ideal so dabs of joint compound can be used to help stick the fiber mech to the wall or ceiling surface

Jordan  Stull-Barnes and Elliot Kane apply Fiber Mesh and Joint
compound to the entry way of the field school

Shown at right are College of the Redwoods HPRT students applying fiber mesh to original plaster ceilings and walls to provide a reinforcement layer to the plaster which will receive three finish coats of joint compound for a nice smooth finish

Greg DeAngelis working the trowel and his hawk