Walls and Ceilings - Skimcoating Blueboard

first time in a forum. Hope i'm doing it right.
I had to stop remodeling house for wife to take money. now want to finish myself. I know all the basics. Have never skimmed a wall though. Have three rooms that need to do myself. I require only some guidence. I have 12 bags of plaster (6 of Cal. and 6 Diamond). May need to buy big trowel and sponges. Don't think mine are clean enough.
How and what combo of plaster is best? 50/50 was used on other rooms i think.
Should i mix big rubber bucket (30 gal) or use smaller Q's. I know I won't be too fast.
How many times to I go around the room to smooth??
How often do I re-wet? and do I splash or make sponge contact and squeeze out water from top when re-wetting to smooth?
How much time between steps/stages??
Do I do the ceilings first?? Pretty sure I should if I remember correctly.

I was Contractor for 81/2 yrs but always subbed this out. I know its an art but I have to finish this myself. No cash to hire a plasterer. God made sandpaper, I would like to get it as close as I can to perfect but I don't expect a miricle.

Is there an experienced skim coat/ blue board guy around to guide me here????? I need someone that really knows this.

New Guy

Tell me fuller names of your plaster.
Are you wanting to use a two coat system or a one coat system?
Have you taped your joints?
Mix small quantities until you learn how to do it.
you have only thirty minutes to get the material laid down, doubled, sweetened and troweled. So guess how much mud it takes to do an area you think you can do in less than a half hour.

Oh, one more thing this stuff sets hard and if you sand it you mess up the slick as glass finish you worked so hard to do so don't plan on sanding.

Now you might need to make joinings. I think there are posts here somewhere about how to make joinings. I don't have time right now to spell it out.

Maybe later if you still need to know.

Why did you decide to learn to plaster rather than do conventional drywall?

Hey,
I really appreciate your advice. I had to stop the whole home b/c of divorce. Was not sure if I was to get house (not stupid enough to spend $ on her new rooms, right?). I did get house, and she's OUT!!! Now want to finish new babe room. Big room 20x16, bathroom and home office on bottom floor of a split.
The previous guy bought two brands of plaster "Diamond" and "Cal___(something" he mixxed the two together. Said personal preference for him thats all. He said better hardening and finish or some ****. I don't care at this stage, just want to put up. I am not going to sand, thanks for the tip though. The glass shine is the reason for the plaster. My rooms are all skimmed, drywall, board and tape are too cheap for my liking. Plaster skim coat is a quality finish to a ceiling or wall. This is MY home, not one i am selling, only the best right?? However, cash is a big problem right now. I need to be just steered in the right direction thats all. I know the scheme of things.
A thirty minute spread sounds like good advise. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew.
Please respond, no hurry,
mpm

Oh Yea, I am taping joints with white mesh rolls, not joint tape. Do I secure this tacky mesh with a wide bead of plaster prior to skim or just slap up and leave for when whole job is done?? Taky backing will hold for a day or so right??
On corners and exposed edges I have the metal corner beads tacked up tight and as straight as my walls.
Is the standard for me to be:
1. Plaster as much as 1/2 hr. allows then:
2. go back to beginning, rewet with sponge and gloss over ( i'm lefty, so begin at baseboard area and large sweeping upward to ceiling across wall till corner forces me to change up??)
3. Repeat #2 four times around room??

What about ceilings first?? I just want rough texture, even though upstairs has popcorn finish.. I have recessed lights as well, thought I should say.

golden541

Each thirty minute batch must be on, doubled up. sweetened and troweled three or four times and polished through the set.
Start in a closet or on a small bathroom wall and learn how to do it. Once you know how the material works and how much you can do in the time you have workable material you can stretch out to larger areas. Since you are a southpaw work from right to left.

Do you mean UniCal or Kal Cote? These are about like Diamond. I personally would not mix the two . I'd try some of each, figure out which you like better for time, workability and finish and then try to return the rest and trade it for what you like or just use the different materials on distinct areas. I don't suppose anything too bad will happen if you mix them only you must be consistent in your ratios or each batch will behave differently.

Start with small bites and learn how to do it then go for the big walls and lid. Once you learn how then go top down.

Stumbled onto your plaster adventure
Recommend smooth texture for the "Babe Room"

The beauty of plaster is the delicateness of it when it is done right

Your in Boston so unless you are in a low brow spanish revival house don't understand why anyone would rough texture plaster. High end Spanish colonials out here have smooth plaster for the most part

Got a good chuckle from the babe room comment

Good luck friend both with the plaster and the babes