Is this plaster?

[nmbexcuse]

I am sorry for my ignorance. I thought I was dealing with drywall, but when I removed part of this interior wall (built in 1972), I saw this:

basically it seems like I have three layers. Inside is a gray drywall like layer, then a brown thin layer that looks like paper but thicker than paper, and on the outside a thin white layer that is like an egg shell (is it stucco?).

Along the edges or joints, I have this wire mesh (chichen wire) embedded inside the wall board.

Anyone familiar with this? What is the best way to patch holes or finish joints to it? I would have to trim off all the wires all over right?

Thanks,

MC

[Clark]

Looks like plaster over wallboard, I have the same in my house (circa

1955), I patch fine with small holes, using regular sheet rock compound or whatever patching material says it can be used over plaster or gypsum.

For the bigger stuff (although I don't like to work with it) Is the setting type, as it has plaster of paris in it.

(they have PDF info files on the chemical makeup of each product)

for the wire mesh, if it does not have to go, I have just screwed it down and compounded over it, as it acts as the compound tape

Clark

[Clark]

After looking again, I'm not as sure as I was with the first reply, (the plaster part looks thin to me) hmmmm.

I think I would still stick with the setting type compound.

Clark

[Mark]

Looks like plaster over sheetrock lath or drywall. The thin top coat is either the finish skim-coat that gives the surface a smooth finish, or a thick texture paint, can't really tell from the picture, but if it is soft and flexible it is probably paint. Stiff and brittle it's a skim coat.

[MiamiCuse]

It's stiff and brittle, but a skim coat over the entire wall board?

I have removed a section of the soffit and now need to patch a two feet strip all the way across the top of the wall and ceiling. I don't know if regular sheet rock will match, I will have to try 3/8" sheet rock and try to match it I hope the thickness will be even.

Thanks,

[Clark]

Yup that's the way it was done, a skim coat over the entire room. In my house in order to match the thickness, 5/8 wallboard was the closest, kinda a happy medium because the corners tend to be thicker etc, Good luck.

Clark

[MiamiCuse]

Thanks!