Plaster Help? PART II
Recently, I posted about a problem I was having with my first-ever actual plastering, using Structo–Lite® basecoat plaster by USG.
Glenn wrote in and suggested I call the company.
An actual human answered on like the fifth ring, AND confirmed that they could help after I explained the issue.
Golly. It seemed like 1955! An actual person? Quickly answering the phone? And trying to be helpful with informed advice? Who spoke perfect English?
Golly, indeed.
She explained that the problem was that I did not immediately apply the finishing coats. “They chemically act in tandem with the base coat to dry it.”
Oh. I had no idea.
“Do I have to scrape out the base coat and start over again?”
“No. Just paint it with Plaster Weld. After that dries, apply the finish coats.”
A five minute phone call.
Possibly resolving a big headache.
Please stand by.
(Did I mention how much I love Glenn? And points to USG for customer service!)
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Yay Glenn!
I’m so glad you got the help you needed from the company at Glenn’s suggestion.
That’s what I detest about so many products I buy for working on my house. No directions. It’s a bit better now but there are still some things that just assume whoever is buying it is experienced with using it and doesn’t need any sort of instructions.
A business stays in business not just with the quality of the product but with the service it provides. Good customer service will go far in keeping a company afloat and could mean the difference between profit and bankruptcy. I will not “talk” to “bots” any more. When I contact customer service the first thing I ask is….are you a human. Dealing with U.S. based companies and especially in small or family owned businesses is becoming more and more important to me. I’m about to drop $400 on an over-the-air outdoor antenna for my roof. I’ve researched this for a few years and never been totally happy with what I’ve found so never bought anything. Well, I finally found the solution. A stacked antennae where I can point the VHF top in a different direction than the UHF bottom. Exactly what I’ve needed. And it’s a family owned business that actually answers the phone if you call. I’ll be spending double but will end up with something that works the first time. Especially since I will likely have to hire someone to climb on the roof and install it it will be nice if it is a one and done.
Kudos on not having to remove the scratch coat to apply the finish. Now you’ll know exactly now to do it the next time and with no waiting in between you get almost instant gratification. A two-fer.
By the time you are finished with the two houses you are going to be a master plasterer and faux bois painter. Among so many other skills.
I wondered about that when you mentioned adding the finish coat atop the rough, “after it dries”. (Huh? I learned the old-fashioned way: plaster is wet on wet.) But, I figured it was some new product with a new way it’s done. I’m always happy to learn a new thing. Still, it’s kind of nice to know the process hasn’t changed. 😉 As well, it’s nice to know a company cares enough about it’s product to properly instruct it’s users. That’s a good team to have on your side. ☺
I haven’t done real plaster that included starting with a scratch coat.
When my parent’s ceiling was plastered I wasn’t around for the whole thing so not sure what that plasterer did. I do know we popped our little sock “sanddollars” on the wet finish coat and had to work quickly before the finish dried or they wouldn’t stick. By the time it was our turn with the socks it was after dinner and we we finished working after dark so all of the lights in the house were on, including more brought in from other rooms.
I know with stucco you put on a scratch coat, then wait for it to dry, then apply the finishing coats.
I’ve also done the same with dry wall compound.
Since I have a house with plaster this is good information for me should I ever take on a plastering job.
Real plasterers are hard to come by in my area and I imagine it is a lot worse now than when my parents had their ceiling done.
Ha! I don’t know about USG, but CGC, their Canadian counterpart has always been very helpful, in my experience. If you want a great phone call, call the Butterball hotline sometime. It’s amazing how much they want your turkey to turn out perfectly.
That’s awesome, and so fitting with next month being November! Butterball to the rescue! 🙂
Three cheers for Glenn! And nice tip on the Butterball hotline. Cooking your first turkey is a nerve-wracking experience, and I could have used that the first time I roasted one. It was a long time ago, it wasn’t a Butterball, and it was a nightmare.
Having worked in customer service in 1 way or another my whole life, it is so gratifying nowadays to be the recipient of good customer service. It is so rare nowadays, but also customers are so rude that I’m glad I don’t do that anymore! So glad you had a great experience. 🙂
That’s great news Ross, a helpful human to talk to and not too much of a hassle to make it right. But I wonder why they didn’t have this bit of info in the directions. Go figure.