[Cob] Cob: Washington, DC: Lime plaster

[Raduazo at aol.com]

I will be putting lime plaster on the inside surface of my wall this week. if 
anyone would like to see how it goes on. This is the third finish layer, the 
scratch coat was clay/straw, the brown coat was clay/sand/horsemanure, this is 
the color coat which is one part lime and two parts white sand. 
    I have done about half of the wall just learning how to do it and I am 
still not sure what the water content should be. The first two batches were 
pretty watery, but other than not staying on the trowel when you tip it vertical 
it seems to be going on well.
    I have discovered a new tool which seems to help in plastering concave 
surfaces like wall niches. It is called a "SHUR-LINE" and is a thin plastic tool 
designed for painting window and door frames. I find that I can load it up 
with plaster then bend it to match the curvature of the surface being plastered 
to apply a smooth, thin, concave surface layer. 
    In applying, I spray the dry cob with water, apply plaster, leave the 
surface undisturbed for about two or three hours, then spray it again and smooth 
out all lines and depressions.
    I will be repeating the entire plastering process on the exterior part of 
the wall sometime in May when the weather warms up a little. Also, I still 
need to provide three layers of plaster and color on the children's playhouse at 
Green Spring Gardens Park, so there will be more chances for people who 
missed out on the first series of plastering steps.
    Anyone interested give me a call.
Ed @ 703-360-2316