How to attach and plaster an external angle

How to attach and plaster an external angle

Tim Williams
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How to attach and plaster an external angle

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Project Overview

An important part of building a new wall is making a neat edge on your external corners. We’ll show you how easy it is to adjust, attach and plaster an external angle to an external corner. 
Continue to step-by-step instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1 Check your wall is straight
2 Cut the external angle
3 Attach the external angle using a staple gun
4 Attach the external angle with a hammer
5 Mix up the plaster for your base coat
6 Apply the base coat of plaster
7 Smooth the surface and apply the second coat
8 Apply plaster to the face of your wall
9 Apply the top coat

  • Step 1. Check your wall is straight

    Grab your level and place it against the edge of the wall. Check if there are any gaps between the wall and the level. If there are gaps, you will need to adjust the external angle to make sure the wall is straight.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man adjusting external angle

  • Step 2. Cut the external angle

    First measure the height of the wall and cut the external angle to suit on a 45-degree angle. Then gently squeeze the sides of the external angle together with your hands to account for any bends in the wall. 
    Previous Step Next Step
    Man cutting the external angle to size of the wall

  • Step 3. Attach the external angle using a staple gun

    Position the external angle at least 10mm off the ground. This way if there is any movement on the floor the angle will not crack. Place the external angle against the straightest point of the corner, roughly in the centre. Position this firmly by placing pressure onto the middle of the angle, and pin into place with your staple gun. To check the angle is straight all the way down, place your straight edge alongside the angle, adding pressure. Once this is straight, staple the remainder of the angle into place.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man attaching external angle to the wall with a staple gun

  • Step 4. Attach the external angle with a hammer

    You can also pin the external angle into place using a hammer. Hold the external angle up to the corner, using your straight edge to determine if the angle is straight. Add pressure with your hand to the opposite side of the angle to hold this into place. Then place a nail through a circle on the outer edge of the external angle and hammer into the plasterboard. Repeat this in multiple spots along the angle until it’s secure. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Use a hammer to pin external angle into place

  • Step 5. Mix up the plaster for your base coat

    Now that your external angles are in position you can mix up your plaster for the base coat. In this case we have two externals, so we need to fill the bucket to at least three quarters to have enough. Once the plaster is mixed to the right consistency, you are ready to apply it to the wall.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man mixing the plaster for the base coat

  • Step 6. Apply the base coat of plaster

    Use your hawk and trowel to apply the plaster to the external corner. Start applying to the middle of the wall first, working downwards and taking any excess off the edges. When you reach the bottom, run the trowel to the top of the wall to smooth this out, making sure you have gone passed the architrave line. Then apply plaster from the top down to complete this side. Now start on the other side of the corner, applying the base coat from the bottom up. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man applying the base coat of plaster

  • Step 7. Smooth the surface and apply the second coat

    Once the first coat has dried, smooth the surface with your scraper to get it ready for the second coat. Apply the second coat of plaster to one side of the corner only and make it slightly wider than the first. This coat should be at least three quarters of the length of your trowel. Use the same processes for applying as the first coat. Leave the face side of the corner at this stage.   

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man applying the second layer of coat

  • Step 8. Apply plaster to the face of your wall

    Now that you have applied a top coat to one side, you can apply a coat to the face using a slightly different technique. This time when you put the mud on, hold your trowel at a 45-degree angle away from the side that has already been troweled. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Man applying plaster to the face

  • Step 9. Apply the top coat

    The process for applying the top coat is the same as the second coat. This time make the surface you apply slightly wider. Once the top coat is dry, you can sand it back and you are ready to paint. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Apply the top coat to finish off the external ange

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Strippers x 2
  • Bucket
  • Hammer
  • Hawk
  • Ladder
  • Nails
  • Safety gear (gloves, glasses)
  • Sanding block
  • Stapler
  • Straight edge
  • Tape measure
  • Tin snips
  • Top coat
  • Trowel

Materials

  • Base coat
  • External angles

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