british-gypsum.com

Technical enquiriesBritish Gypsum Technical Advice CentreEast LeakeLoughboroughLeicestershireLE12 6HX

Telephone: 0844 800 1991Fax: 0844 561 8816Email: bgtechnical.enquiries@bpb.com

Training enquiries: 0844 561 8810

British Gypsum October 2014 PLASTERDL-06

“Gyproc”, “Thistle”, “Gypframe” and “Glasroc” are all registered trademarks of BPB United Kingdom Limited. “Isover” is a registered trademark of Saint-Gobain Isover and “Artex” is a registered trademark of BPB United Kingdom Limited.

BPB United Kingdom Limited is a limited company registered in England under company number 734396, having its registered office at Saint-Gobain House, Binley Business Park, Coventry, CV3 2TT, UK. BPB United Kingdom Limited trades as British Gypsum for part of its business activities.

British Gypsum reserves the right to revise product specification without notice. The information herein should not be read in isolation as it is meant only as guidance for the user, who should always ensure that they are fully conversant with the products and systems being used and their subsequent installation prior to the commencement of work. For a comprehensive and up-to-date library of information visit the British Gypsum website at: www.british-gypsum.com. For information about products supplied by Artex Limited or Saint-Gobain Isover please see their respective websites.

“British Gypsum” is a registered trademark of BPB United Kingdom Limited.

Thistle Plaster Selector GuideCreating perfect walls for modern spaces

FM 550533EMS 543324 OHS 550586

Thistle UniFinish

We passedthe only testthat matters. Yours.

It’s been thoroughly tested in our labs, but we know the only test that really matters is the one you put it through. So, we gave it to professional plasterers like Pete – who gave it their approval. They say it cuts out pre-treatment, gives a silky-smooth finish, and saves time not having to mop up PVA drips and splashes. Visit the website to find out why all the professionals are talking about new Thistle UniFinish.

Ideal for plastering over a wide range of surfaces without PVA, we’ve put Thistle UniFinish through its paces.

british-gypsum.com/thistle-unifinish

@theplastermanco

TO WaTch PeTe PlASTer VISIT YOUTUBe

ENMS 606206

Why choose Thistle plasters?

A guide to plastering - for full details refer to british-gypsum.com/thistleplaster1. What items will I need?– A clean mixing bucket & clean water

– A manual or mechanical mixing whisk

– Gyproc Trowel, a Hawk & Thistle Plaster Finishing Trowel

– Thistle solid plastering beads

– Thistle skim coat beads, Thistle ProTape FT50, or Gyproc Joint Tape for skimming only

2. What should the background be?

– Protected from the weather, with no risk of freezing

– Adequately strong, rigid and stable. Clean and free of dust and shutter release agents

– Reasonably dry & free of salt efflorescence

3. How do I mix plaster?– Use cleaned mixing equipment to

prevent contamination

– Pour the right amount of clean water into the mixing bucket (see selector chart for details)

– Add plaster to the water

– Mix to a smooth creamy consistency by hand or a slow speed, high torque mechanical whisk

– Do not continue mixing after lumps have been dispersed. Over mixing can affect setting times and cause difficulty in achieving a flat finish

4. How do I apply?– Use the oldest material first

– Plaster should not be applied to frozen backgrounds or in very hot or dry conditions

– Setting time is approximately 90 - 120 minutes, but finishing times can be extended in low temperatures by 30 minutes or more

– Do not mix more than you’ll be able to use, we suggest a maximum of two bags

5. Can I decorate or tile easily?– Thistle plasters can be decorated

with most paint finishes and wall coverings by following the manufacturers’ recommendations

– Tiles should be applied when background and plaster are dry

– Take care with Thistle HardWall and Thistle ToughCoat which dry from the surface, appearing surface dry before being fully dry

– Tiles up to 20kg/m2 can be applied directly to Thistle finish coats. If a bonding agent is used the limit is reduced to 12kg/m2

– Do not apply tiles directly to Thistle undercoats, with the exception of Thistle DriCoat

– When tiling onto finish plasters, avoid polishing the surface. If surface is polished, roughen and apply a suitable primer

Solid plastering – For corner reinforcement fix beads to all external angles using undercoat

plaster

– Thistle Plaster Stop Beads can also be used for defining and reinforcing edges of solid plasterwork

– Apply plaster with firm pressure after the joint treatment has stiffened but not set, building out to approximately 8mm thickness

– Scratch each coat and allow to set before applying the next

– The maximum thickness of undercoat plaster is 25mm. Greater thicknesses will require additional support, such as metal lathing, spaced away from the background if necessary

– Rule the final coat to an even surface and lightly scratch to form a key for finish coat plasters

Skim plastering – For corner reinforcement fix beads to all external angles

– Reinforce all plasterboard joints and internal angles by using Thistle ProTape or Gyproc Joint Tape. Gyproc Joint Tape will provide greater resistance to cracking particularly when board edges are not fully supported

– Apply plaster with firm pressure after the joint treatment has stiffened but not set, to approximately 1mm thickness

– Apply a second coat of plaster whilst the first coat is still wet to bring the total thickness to 2mm

– Trowel to a smooth matt finish as the plaster is stiffening

– Use any additional water sparingly and only in the latter stages of trowelling

ACTIVair technology: Making indoor spaces healthier

We spend 80% of our time indoors, in schools, offices, hospitals and our home. We take it for granted that the air we breathe is clean and pollutant-free. Yet impuritiesfound in both our working and living spaces can cause health problems and a reduction in our general well-being.Pollutants called VOCs – volatile organic compounds – are naturally emitted into our homes, offices and schools by people, pets, cleaning products as well as furniture, carpets, paints and varnishes.

acTIVair technology captures and permanently converts VOCs into harmless, inert compounds for at least 50 years. It is tested to decompose up to 70% of formaldehyde from the air.

Gypsum finish coat plaster with ACTIVair technologymaking indoor spaces healthier

Thistle PureFinish

25kg

Thistle PureFinish

Containing acTIVairtechnology for skim

finishing undercoats andplasterboards.

They provide

– A smooth seamless surface to walls and ceilings– Consistent finishing times– A scuff resistant surface– Solid base to fix into– Peace of mind with the British Gypsum SpecSure® lifetime

system warranty*

* Systems comprising of Thistle plasters and accessories are covered by the SpecSure® lifetime system performance warranty, reflecting our confidence in their performance.

– Good airtightness for improved acoustic and thermal performance

– Finishing coat achieved in one visit to the wall– Quicker installation time– Easy wallpaper stripping

THISTle MAGNeTIC PlASTerDesigned for creativity

An innovative new plaster that attracts magnets.

With our newly developed,easy-to-apply Thistle MagneticPlaster you can transformany wall into a surface thatattracts magnets, making theideal display board. Ourinnovative formula enablesyour customers to endlesslychange what’s on show – nofuss, no mess. So it’s perfect for children’s bedrooms, living areas, kitchens and home offices.

Skim finish plaster

What is the background surface?

suction

Dry

un

derc

oats

Dam

p u

nde

rcoa

ts

Plas

terb

oard

Flat

, sm

ooth

con

cret

e

Wat

erpr

oofe

d

cem

ent-

base

d u

nde

rcoa

ts

Thic

knes

s ap

plie

d

Cov

erag

e pe

r ba

g (a

t 2m

m)

Wat

er re

quir

emen

t (li

tres

per

bag

)

Dry

set

wei

ght

(at

2mm

th

ickn

ess)

Esse

ntia

l fin

ish

Thistle MultiFinish A versatile plaster for skim finishing undercoats and plasterboards

DAMPEN

BACKGROUND

FIRST USE ON

MR BOARDS

2mm

10m

2

11.5

3.4k

g/m

2

Thistle BoardFinish For low to medium suction backgrounds especially plasterboard

USE ON

MR BOARDS

2mm

10m

2

11.5

3.4k

g/m

2

Thistle SprayFinish Gypsum finish plaster for spray or hand application

USE ON

MR BOARDS

2mm

11m

2

12 2.4k

g/m

2

Perf

orm

ance

fin

ish

Thistle DuraFinish A versatile plaster that is 60% tougher than standard skim plasters

2mm

10m

2

12 3.4k

g/m

2

Gypsum finish coat plaster with ACTIVair technologymaking indoor spaces healthier

Thistle PureFinish

25kg

Thistle PureFinish

Featuri

ng

VO

C absorbing tech

nology ●

Thistle PureFinish Finish plaster containing ACTIVair technology for finishing undercoat plasters and plasterboard

DAMPEN

BACKGROUND

FIRST USE ON

MR BOARDS

2mm

10m

2

11.5

3.4k

g/m

2

Thistle UniFinish2 The plaster that works without PVA

2mm

11m

2

12 2.4k

g/m

2

Minimum temperature to be maintained until dry is 2°C for Thistle BoardFinish, Thistle MultiFinish and Thistle SprayFinish, and 5°C for Thistle DuraFinish.

On flat surfaces, 2mm is recommended, If the surface is very uneven, consider dubbing it out with an undercoat.

Undercoat solid plaster

What is the background surface?

suction

Air

cret

e bl

ocks

Com

mon

bri

cks

Med

ium

-den

sity

blo

cks

Den

se b

lock

s

Engi

nee

rin

g br

icks

wit

h

rake

d jo

ints

Plas

terb

oard

&

Gla

sroc

F m

ultiboard

Cas

t in

sit

u &

pre

-cas

t co

ncr

ete

Pain

ted/

tile

d su

rfac

es

Met

al la

thin

g

Thic

knes

s ap

plie

d –

wal

ls

Thic

knes

s ap

plie

d –

ceili

ngs

Cov

erag

e pe

r ba

g h

and

appl

ied

(a

t 11

mm

)

Wat

er re

quir

emen

t (li

tres

per

bag

)

Dry

set

wei

ght

(at

11m

m)

Two

coat

Thistle HardWall High impact resistance for most masonry backgrounds. Can be spray applied1

NOT ON

SMOOTH

LOW

SUCTION

BLOCKS

WHEN

BRIDGING

COLUMNS

AND LINTELS

11m

m

8mm

3.0m

2

15 9.3k

g/m

2

Thistle ToughCoat High coverage for most masonry backgrounds. Can be spray applied1

NOT ON

SMOOTH

LOW

SUCTION

BLOCKS

WHEN

BRIDGING

COLUMNS

AND LINTELS

11m

m

8mm

3.5m

2

17.5

8.5k

g/m

2

Thistle Browning For solid backgrounds with adequate key

USE IN

EXTREME

CASES11

mm

8mm

3.5m

2

17.5

8.4k

g/m

2

Thistle BondingCoat For smooth and low suction backgrounds

USE ON

SMOOTH

LOW

SUCTION

BLOCKS

USE ON MR

BOARDS

11m

m

8mm

2.75

m2

14 12.1

kg/m

2

On

e co

at Thistle Universal OneCoat For hand or spray application to most backgrounds

USE ON

SMOOTH

LOW

SUCTION

BLOCKS

USE ON MR

BOARD

13m

m

10m

m

2.25

m2

at

13m

m

15 15kg

/m2

at

13m

m

Suct

ion

cont

rol Thistle GypPrime

Suction control primer used to reduce suction on very dry backgrounds. Use diluted (up to 5 parts water to one part Thistle GypPrime) or undiluted if severe suction control is required. Plaster is applied after Thistle GypPrime has

soaked into the background.

Use Thistle GypPrime where you see this symbol

Bond

ing

agen

t Thistle Bond-It Bonding agent for smooth low suction backgrounds. Apply undiluted, in one coat.

Plaster when dry.

Use Thistle Bond-It where you see this symbol

Setting times: Thistle undercoat plasters – 1½ to 2 hours. Thistle finish plasters – 1½ to 1¾ hours. 1 Coverage relates to hand applied.

High Low High

Spec

ialis

t pl

aste

rs Thistle Magnetic Plaster A Thistle plaster that attracts magnets leaving a quality surface for internal walls and a durable base for applying decorative finishes. Can be used to finish a wide range of backgrounds, including undercoat plasters and plasterboard. A minimum of 3mm thickness should be applied and coverage is 5.1m2 per bag.

Thistle DriCoat Cement based plaster for replastering after a damp proof course. Finished with Thistle BoardFinish.

Thistle Plaster Selector Guide

Recommended for use

2 See british-gypsum.com/thistle-unifinish for full details.

Lowsuction

Brit

ish

Gyp

sum

Nov

embe

r 20

14

BG

-TH

SGA

3-14

-01