Only tackle small areas when plastering; leave complete walls or ceilings to the professionals. Having prepared the surface, make up the mix by pouring plaster powder into a clean bucket and adding water until the mix has the consistency of whipped cream. Heap some of the mix on a hawk. Then, using a metal float – or a wooden float if applying a plaster undercoat – slice off enough mix to fill about half the float’s blade. Hold the float level and shake it gently so that the plaster settles evenly.

Apply the plaster with the leading edge of the float at an angle of 30 to the wall’s surface. Do not hold the float flat, or the mix will stick to it. Spread the plaster by sweeping the float backwards and forwards across the surface. Making sure that the float is thoroughly wetted before picking up more plaster. Use a firm pressure to level the plaster at the point of application, reducing the pressure as the plaster spreads.

When finishing off. Lightly brush the plaster with water to help even out the drying time of the whole surface. Finally, smooth across it with the float.