Features:

-- What to do when you can't get that plaster crack to stay fixed (closed)

-- Can you finish wood paneling so it looks like finished drywall?

-- Is it really possible to make a living doing plaster repair?

And more!

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1. "I've taped that *&#* plaster crack TWICE and each time it cracks again. Aargh!

Okay, simmer down. The world hasn't come to an end yet. But ... I feel your pain. Really I do. How else would I know how to offer some constructive ideas for you to try? Here, let's see what we can come up with.

This reminds me of when I faced the same problem many years ago, for the first time. Yes, dear reader, this old plasterguy had to learn a lot of things the hard way, by experience.

I had a customer who lived on a busy street near campus in our fair city. A crack developed in his plaster under the window facing the street. He called me to fix it. A piece of cake, right? I taped the crack, put on two topping coats and presto! I was finished. Or so I thought.

Two days later, he calls me back. "Ed, I hate to tell you this, but that crack is there again. Can you come take a look?"

I went over to his house and there it was - as big and bad as ever. Okay, I said. I'll try something new. This time, I figured I needed more reinforcement power. First, I wet the patch and pulled out the original tape. Then I laid short strips of tape across the crack, and side by side. More holding power that way, I thought. Then two topping coats, etc. "I guess I've fixed you now," I told that crack.

Apparently the crack was hard of hearing. After a week, I had just about forgotten the whole thing when my customer called again. I could really tell he hated to call, but .... well, there was a problem. The crack had opened up again.

I was perplexed. The traffic vibration must be pretty bad. Still, I had to do something. Could I fix it so it would stay fixed?

What I came up with this time was: more stick 'um. I pulled out the last round of tape, then whipped up my new and improved concoction. I stirred some white Elmer's Glue into my mixing water, and stirred the hot mud powder into that. I taped again across the crack with with short strips of paper tape, then put on two thin topping coats as normal.

Problem solved? Yep. No more call-backs.

If I were doing the same job today, I would do things differently. I have some new approaches to any stubborn crack that I suspect will want to open again.

One thing I might do is embed, using hot mud, a line of fiberglass tape down the crack. Then cross tape with paper tape, as described already, and apply two topping coats, one of hot mud and the second of regular all-purpose mud.

For added insurance, before I even start taping, I could brush on a swatch of plaster bonding agent, maybe a foot wide or so. This gives the extra stick 'um.

Now, I need to be clear. If there is substantial structural movement which underlies a particular plaster crack (or cracks), you are not going to be able to overcome it with tape and mud. You may have to call in a professional carpenter.

I have not come across a lot of these situations, but they do exist.

But I have one more weapon in my arsenal for that really persistent crack, that may still be agreeable to mending. To see that magic solution, you will need to go to the website at taping plaster.

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2. Can you make wood paneling to look like a finished plaster or drywall surface?

Sometimes, yes. A couple of months ago, I got a call from a previous customer. I had finished some drywall for her in the spring. Now, she wanted to do something about the rooms that had been clad in 4 X 8 wood paneling. Could it be made to match the sheetrock in the other rooms?

To be honest, I wasn't wildly enthusiastic. I suggested putting thin drywall right over the paneling, but she balked. She didn't want to redo the door and window jambs by shimming and putting on new trim after I was done. That really would have been the most cost effective way to go, but her mind was made up. Could I help her?

Here's what I told her.

First, she needed to put a good sealer (I suggested to her what to use) over all the paneling. Then, to save herself some money, reduce my time on the job by prefilling all the decorative grooves with at least three coats of regular drywall mud.

I would come in, tape the joints with hot mud and paper drywall tape, and top the joints with at least two coats. Since she wanted a smooth (no texture) surface, I would then need to skim coat all the remaining area with one thin coat of regular mud. I would sand, and she would prime everything with a good quality PVA drywall primer.

Well, she did her part, and I did mine. And it turned out okay. So it is possible, but it would have been better to drywall. My opinion did not prevail, but ... she was manager of the checkbook!

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3. Is it really possible to make a living doing plaster repair?

Yes. I have been at it for 36 years. Although I started out as a carpenter and then a drywall finisher, I began very early in my career doing plaster repair and renovation as well. see My Story.

The demand for it was, and still is, very high.

To this day, I enjoy seeing what I can do with old plaster. I like to make my customers happy, and happy customers write nice healthy checks! It's a living.

It's not always easy work, I have to say. Technically, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to learn how to fix plaster, but physically it can be demanding. It's messy and sweaty work sometimes, but it has its rewards.

Some people take to it like a duck to water. They may have an extra edge when it comes to basic manual ability, plus they may have enthusiasm and are self-starters.

A young man, or someone looking for a sideline business, could do a lot worse. Depending on how experienced/skilled someone is, and how hard they want to work, an annual income of 50 to 75 thousand dollars is entirely possible. Some parts of the country (US) pay better than others. Hourly rates can run from 20 to 40 dollars an hour. Specialty work, like texturizing or venetian plaster, can go for much more - in some localities.

If you haven't seen it, the website has a page devoted to this topic. If you are interested, go to make money.

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DVD Update My videographer/editor is now finished with my first DVD, called HOW TO MAKE YOUR OLD PLASTER WALLS AND CEILINGS GORGEOUS

I've still got some work ahead to do on the site, such as a landing page and order page. So it will be just a little while yet before I am ready to roll out. I'll keep you posted.

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We're heading into fall here on the Pacific Coast of the US. I love fall, but it is also crazy time for work. The summer starts the ball really moving, and the pace picks up for me through the fall right up to Christmas. Then I usually take a week or two off, to rest and enjoy family celebrations.

I am blessed with TONS of relatives. There is never any lack of people to visit with.

I hope your fall is going well so far. May all good things come your way! Until next time,