This weekend I focus on the ceiling to get that in shape for applying TakCoat plaster along with mesh. Before we get there, I will do a few more washes down of the paint and washer up any loose areas.

For the wash, I use a solution of TSP and bleach. When I hit the store, I notice they are selling both cleaning bleach and disinfecting bleach. I didn’t realize that bleach could clean without disinfecting. Since I’m cleaning, I pick up that model and add that to the TSP. I usually am pretty cavalier with protective gear when working, and my hands have been able to tolerate a solution of just TSP. But with the bleach, I play it safe and glove up to wash down the ceiling. There’s a few little spots with remaining latex that I wipe off using the cleaning solution along with a scouring pad. After washing down with TSP, I then go over the ceiling with a sponge and clean water. At one point, I take off the gloves and I get careless by grabbing the scouring pad. A drop of the solution falls on to my knuckle and I notice a blister immediately forming along with a burning sensation. I guess my skin can’t handle TSP plus bleach and after rinsing back go the gloves.

With the latex off, I still have a good amount of the green underlying paint. This must be the original oil paint and it’s so durable. Even with heat and some of the CitriStrip, it doesn’t really budge. It would take forever to remove and since TakCoat is meant for stable painted surfaces, I’m considering this green paint stable.

Next up is looking for spongy areas and washering in the loose spots. This goes as expected until I hit a corner. It’s pretty loose and when I drill in the washers, the plaster crumbles instead of firming up. I start picking away the crumbly areas and notice that the laths are detached. One of the laths is split so I try my best to replace that, but the problem is that it’s impossible to anchor the lath firmly to the opposite side of the joist. I get the lath in as firm as I can and start mixing up a base coat of plaster with horsehair.

After I mix up the plaster, I mist the lath and apply that to the crumbled area. This is the first time I’ve applied a base coat on plaster that is directly above me (the cottage had plaster applied to eaves that were slanted and not paralell to the floor).

Luckily it all holds in place and I scratch the coat and mist it for the next 24 hours. Next week, after another rinse and some Guardz applied to some stubborn areas, I’ll look to apply the TakCoat along with mesh to cover up the cracks.