Hi, My name is Pete, and I was asked by Danny to give my thoughts on the ExtraTime plaster retarder by EazyMix.
Why I tried ExtraTime Plaster Retarder
When ExtraTime was released, I ordered a box of 100 to give it a trial on as many jobs as I could with British Gypsum’s Board Finish and Multi-Finish and up until now I have used about 75 sachets of ExtraTime.
I wanted to know exactly what the difference in time it would add to a mix, and that it would do what it said it would do.
To me, setting times are a fascinating part of plastering and for years, plasterers have had their own ways of changing set times of internal finish plasters.
External renders and pre-bag plaster products have had additives mixed into them to either speed up or slow down the setting times to help the plasterer achieve the results they want. But Internal plasterers have always had just to work to those setting times.
Manufacturers of internal plasters have over the years decided what they think are the best set times for finishes and have apparently spent a lot of time testing to decide that. However for internal plasterers, they don’t have any “ready to use” additives to drop into their mix to extend or slow down setting times.
Why I Liked ExtraTime Plaster Retarder
I found over all the mixes I used ExtraTime in with the three different finish plasters it would add an extra 30 mins – 1 hour. This is depending on the finish used, the background being plastered and the room temperatures and atmosphere.
On domestic re-skims of different surfaces obviously, there are many variables. However, what I liked is when the plaster gauge was on the wall the plaster was wetter for longer. Every time I returned to my start point to flatten it was far more workable for a quick flatten or tidy up before applying the second coat. On tight little awkward say curves or little detail work, that holding back of set gave the time to get plaster how I wanted it.
On a larger gauge (25m2 plus) on plaster board, ExtraTime gave nearer the one hour extra as stated on the sachet. I am mainly a domestic plasterer so haven’t had the chance to hit any massive areas say like the site guys can. However, going off the one accurately timed hit on boards and compared below I would say if bigger hits were put on by site plasterers they would be able to increase their meterage due to the longer setting time.
I have only used ExtraTime in the first coat for most of my mixes, and it gave me the extra time I needed, but I did like that if I wanted more time I could drop ExtraTime into the second coat and again it would extend the setting time of the gauge even further.
How I Would Improve ExtraTime
The only things I could say for not liking it would be that a sachet of extra time is measured for a full bag of finish plaster. If I needed to mix up two and a half bags of plaster, then I would not add it to the half mix, or I would just mix to the next nearest full bag and waste a bit more plaster. In hindsight I could have cut a bag in half but never have just in case, I got the ratio wrong.
The only other thing would be that it has been tested by the company who makes ExtraTime but is not endorsed by makers of the two main plaster manufacturers in the UK.
Time set comparison
| 1st coat apply 0 – 20 mins | With ExtraTime | Without ExtraTime |
| I always flatten 1st coat once | 60 mins | |
| 2nd Coat on at (still wet) | 80 mins | 20 mins – 45 |
| 1st flatten | 140 mins | 45 – 60 mins |
| 1st trowel | 180 mins | 85 mins |
| 2nd trowel | 190 – 200 mins | 105 mins |
| cross and finish | 230 – 240 mins | 120 mins |
The without times are off Multi-Finish set times on the back of the bag. The ceiling room temperature was cold I had 2 little heaters on to warm it, up but it definitely didn’t exceed 5 – 7c in there.
First coat of two bags had two sachets of ExtraTime in, the laying in coat did not have any ExtraTime added to the mix.
The time that myself and most plasterers will notice is that at 80 minutes when I put the second coat on it was still wet at that point. When the plaster is on the wall I/you will notice that the plaster retarder has made the extra time difference. From then on it is a regular set, except at the end it was a four-hour set rather than a three-hour set.
I put the first and second coats of plaster on with a Marshalltown and then all flattening, and trowel off were carried out using a SpeedSkim plastic 600.
If you would like to try some ExtraTime sachets then head to www.eazymix.co.uk
Never ever wanted it to hang always wanted it to go off even with a 20m2 gauge? Wont this just make ur day loads linger?
Those setting times are crap. Almost 4 hours and ur adding a second coat over an hour later? By time u do the 4 hour one ill be on my s3cond batch
Yes but he will have done both your hits in one mate. That’s the idea. You put twice as much on so it will take longer but not as long as 2 hits.
Well real plasterers do.
Or you a one bag hit man. Scared of the big hits are we
Interesting views. Ive used cream of tarter it gives me a extra 30 mins working time on warm days. I dont want my mix to still be wet after 80 mins i know that if im plastering a stud wall or ceiling 120 min n im done and finished onto the next one gauge. Room temp is a factor as well as the surface im plastering. If its a re-skim (pva skim) then its all down to the surface. I dont want to be hanging around waiting for plaster to set or stiffen up so i can start to trowel up.
Hour and 20 mins to do a set . ??. Bet that looks good mate.
I’d be careful using this unless sanctioned by the plastering manufacturers, also it’s always the plasterers who get hit in the pocket , if you’re putting too much on the prices will comedown, I agree with the comments about the gear hanging for too long, I reckon it would just be more labour intensive.
I think you just need to be quicker mate. Hahaha don’t put to much on you’ll bring the prices down. Hahahaha
Maybe lay more on and you’ll earn more money.
sounds good to me! i can get a bit more on, now the weather is warming up!!! cheers.
Cream of tartar does the same thing and a lot Cheever I bet
Best thing to do is throw on two bags, flatten in a bit, then mix up a bag in dirty water and lay it down with that, you’ll be giving it a final rub in under an hour and onto the next set…I do it all the time, comes up lovely, 3 good hits and I’m gone by 2:30
Hi I’ve got 35 years plastering experience . The way to get plaster to hang about is to lay 2 coats on , on the 1st coat , then close in , then lay on a more wetter coat of multifinish . For the second pass . Insuring the 2nd pass is laid on In uniform , same as the 1st coat . . But hear what ! “ I found out my own method , and it takes a lot of work . A good finish can take 4hours …young plasterers or speed skim lads use a :Refina : to dry out the plaster quicker . It dose work, but note it can cause an uneven finish with bubbbles etc if u don’t know when n how to use it .
Most new Skool spreads , lay 2 coats on immediately not allowing the coats to settle , or harden correctly, . The use the refina plazitec trowel . Cos it’s flexible it can flollow your trowel strokes , but if the walls are perfect n flat before any skimming work . It can or definitely be good m flat .
Not the refina rule I,
The refina plazitec trowel . For a gleaming clean finish . No water really needed .
But once my plazitec was bent as hell . The finish was pissed . So all goes with trying out new methods , is a trial n error . I prefer the old traditional way .
I’ve skimmed 60 metre square ceiling lots of times . Not saying it is hard work , but on mishap could be a bad move in flattening . Like say I laid on finish really quick n rough . It’s actually going to take longer n harder to control it . Think as it : control uniform all the time . Not quick quick but crap lay on method. CIOs good plasterers lay finish on straight n flat . Any man or spread can be quick without concentrating to just get the area covered .. cheers people . George Jay . Super spread . N still going strong.. 50 yr young my lol .
I always work on my Todd . No labourer . Cos I don’t like no one mixing up plaster unless there experienced..
I want it round (plaster ) many must know what I’m on about .
I want the binding to pick up rapid . Got a few good tricks about this subject n multifinish .
My dad used white vinegar to set 130 metres in the 1980’s . I mixed it . N he use he’s own plastic rule for flattening. Wow RIP DAD …. respect .. he was the master I’ve been told from a great Irish uk spread . No bull .The job was a metal
Lathe ceiling . The Charringcross hospital in Hammersmith . Metal large like bonding 1st .Then Carlite finish . Good harder days .
Been on the tools plastering for over thirty years.
I agree with Pete review, Extratime is brilliant when dong large ceilings for domestic work.
Think about it, you are going to someone home to do a large ceiling, heating has been on, you want to reduce the amount waste and mess. You are not going to plaster the room out in one day, that’s site work.
With Extratime you have the time to first coat, flatten, clean tools and equipment and mix laying down coat.
Yes, you could be on the job a bit longer, but that time can be used cleaning down, which keeps the home owner happy. Trust me done both, ceiling setting on me and hanging about waiting to give final trowel.
For £2.00 for one sachet, wish I started using it sooner.
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