I've been fixing cracks and doing skim coats on countless walls with Plaster of Paris, Joint Compound, a 6" scraper, and a trowel since I was a child (apprentice to my one armed, irate, Italian grandfather- God rest his soul). My trip to Italy last year has sparked my interest in the art and history of plaster, but has also taken me to a world of confusion. Slaked lime, sanded lime, marble dust, pigments... they don't sell that stuff at my Home Depot. All I want to know is what is the order of coats for a skim coat of colored plaster over a wall and where do I buy this stuff (the lumber yards sell lime products but I don't think its slaked or sanded lime).
Love this site by the way... keep plastering everyone!