Is this plaster?

Question

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:

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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.

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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 · Accepted Answer

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.

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(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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

Thanks!

Is this plaster?

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