Plastering Co-Teach "Underbellies"

Introduction to Plastering the "Underbelly"

• First desired plaster mixture must be accomplished; a sticky but saturated mixture is ideal. The work surface must be sturdy as well in order to hold plaster while it is in the drying process.
• Next, the work surface must be damp with water in order for the cement to stick (we utilized a water bottle with a holes in the cap to spray water in a water-gun technique).

Application of the Plaster

• Applying the plaster must be done strategically and in the right way.
• Start with a corner on the damp work surface. This is important because the corner of the work surface provides a stable structure for the cement to stick. Working from the corner is essential as the plaster mixture will stick best to itself.
• In one sturdy motion "fling" the plaster at the desired corner the plaster content may not completely stick but some will and that is the vantage point.
• After the "fling" motion scrap only the beginning and end point of the applied wet plaster with the back side of the tools surface to seal.
• It may be that not all of the product will stick in the "fling" motion, but some of it will. This work task takes a great amount of patience because it involves great failure before success.

Perfecting the Recipe

• Application of the product will lead to essential elements needed to create a successful recipe. We had our initial mixture but because it was too saturated it was necessary to add more cement to even out the wet to dry ratio.