PMD Craft Series
Professional casting plaster
Our casting plaster is a fast-setting professional grade plaster for filling joints, mitres and stop ends on fibrous plaster mouldings. It produces a fine, smooth finish that takes paint beautifully.
5 min
Standing time after mixing
5–8 min
Working time once ready
1
Prepare your water first
Use clean cold water in a clean mixing bowl. Always add plaster to water — never water to plaster.
2
Mix to a single cream consistency
Add plaster slowly to the water and mix thoroughly. You are looking for a single cream consistency — smooth, lump-free and pourable but not watery.
3
Leave to stand for 5 minutes
Allow the mix to stand for 5 minutes. Do not touch it during this time. The plaster is becoming workable.
4
Test on your trowel
You will know it is ready when it holds cleanly on a trowel without running. This is your working window — 5 to 8 minutes maximum.
5
Apply and finish quickly
Apply to joints, mitres and stop ends with a small trowel or filling knife. Work quickly and decisively — this plaster has a very fast final set.
⚠
Fast set — work in small batches
This is a professional casting plaster with a very fast, almost snap set. Mix only what you can use within 5–8 minutes. Never mix a large batch thinking you have time — you don't. Small batches, mixed fresh, give the best results every time.
"The trowel test is everything. If it holds on the blade without sliding, you're ready. If it runs, give it another minute. If it's already stiffening, start a fresh mix."
Stewart — Plaster Mouldings Direct
PMD Craft Series
CA120 cornice adhesive
Our CA120 cornice adhesive is a professional powder adhesive for fixing fibrous plaster cornice, coving, ceiling roses and decorative mouldings. It can also be used to fill mitres, joints and stop ends.
2 hrs
Working time in the bowl
Fast
Near contact bond on fresh plaster
Hard
Final set — very hard finish
1
Prepare the background
If fixing to fresh skim plaster you are ready to go. If fixing to a painted surface, key the background thoroughly with a knife to ensure a really good bond — do not skip this step.
2
Mix to a creamy consistency
Add powder slowly to clean water and mix thoroughly. You are looking for a creamy consistency — slightly thinner than tile adhesive. Not too stiff, not too loose.
3
Butter up the edges
Using a small trowel, butter the back edges of the moulding evenly. Do not apply too thick — a consistent, even coat gives a far better bond than a heavy uneven one.
4
Fix with confidence
Press the moulding firmly and evenly into position, squeezing out the excess. On fresh plaster this adhesive acts almost as a contact adhesive — position carefully and work with confidence.
5
Clean up immediately
Remove all excess adhesive straight away using a small damp brush. Clean up the edges carefully. Do not leave excess — this adhesive sets very hard and is extremely difficult to remove once cured.
6
Fill joints and stop ends
The same adhesive mix can be used to fill mitres, joints and stop ends where needed. Apply, smooth off and clean up in the same way.
⚠
On fresh plaster — near contact bond
On fresh skim plaster this adhesive bonds almost on contact. Position your moulding carefully before pressing home — you will have very little opportunity to adjust once it touches the surface. Work methodically, one length at a time.
✓
Good working time in the bowl
Unlike the casting plaster, the CA120 gives you approximately 2 hours working time in the bowl — so you can mix a reasonable batch and work at a steady pace. The speed comes when it meets the wall, not before.
Safety critical
Mechanical fixings
Adhesive alone is not always sufficient. For heavier mouldings and all ceiling roses, mechanical fixings are essential for safety. This is non-negotiable — please read carefully.
!
Never rely on adhesive alone for heavy or overhead pieces
For heavy cornices, large decorative mouldings and all ceiling roses — adhesive must always be used alongside mechanical fixings. A ceiling rose fixed with adhesive alone is a serious safety risk. If in doubt, call us before fitting.
For standard weight cornice and coving, adhesive combined with temporary support nails while setting is usually sufficient. Remove nails once fully set and fill the holes with casting plaster.
For heavier decorative cornices and large mouldings, use adhesive plus screws into the wall and ceiling. Belt and braces fixings give you complete confidence in the installation.
Ceiling roses must always be screwed directly into the joist above — not just into plasterboard. Locate the joist first, apply adhesive, and fix with screws through the rose into the joist. Belt and braces every time.
"Thirty years of fitting tells you one thing — when it comes to anything going on a ceiling, belt and braces is never overkill. It's just good practice."
Stewart — Plaster Mouldings Direct
30 years of experience
Craftsman's tips
A few things that make the difference between a good job and a great one.
—
Always dampen the surface before applying casting plaster
A lightly dampened surface slows suction and gives you better control over the set. On very dry or porous backgrounds this makes a noticeable difference to the finish.
—
Key painted surfaces — don't skip it
A knife scored across a painted background takes seconds but makes a huge difference to adhesion. Paint is a release agent. Key it properly and your moulding will stay up for a hundred years.
—
Clean tools immediately after every mix
Both products set very hard. Clean your bowls, trowels and brushes with water immediately after use — not after a cup of tea. Hardened plaster on a trowel ruins the next mix and the next job.
—
Work in sections — don't rush the whole room
Fix one wall at a time. Let each section set before moving on. Rushing a room leads to mouldings moving before they've bonded. Patience produces perfection.
—
If in doubt — call us
We are happy to talk through any installation challenge on the phone. Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm. That's what we're here for.
