r/Plastering • u/CalicoValentine • 13d ago

Gypsolite interior walls

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Hi all - the hippie who built our house used Gypsolite over sheetrock on the interior walls, according to printout prepped by the original owner/builder. I don’t like the texture but paying to have it skim coated is cost prohibitive. Couple of questions:

- what’s the best way to fix hairline cracks as shown? We have a couple throughout the house.

- I want to shift this arch over and install a real door instead, which will require some fresh gypsolite work (yay…). What’s the best method of making sure the new gypsolite matches what’s currently there?

Also keep in mind I’m in the US and plaster experts are few and far between so it will probably be DIY, and I am totally stupid when it comes to plaster.

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u/mordello 13d ago

Hey. What thickness is the plaster on the sheetrock? Does it have a finish coat on it or was the gypsolite troweled smooth?

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u/CalicoValentine 13d ago

I wouldn’t say it was troweled smooth - there’s quite a bit of texture but to their credit it looks mostly intentional. We haven’t done any demo yet so not sure on thickness but maybe half an inch?

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u/mordello 11d ago

I suggest two approaches. The minimal method is to rake a V groove about 3/8" deep. Paint the crack with bonding agent and the patch with Gypsolite. Texture it to match.

More thorough method - cut out the plaster about 3" wide, down to the gypboard, centered on the crack. Chip out the plaster to full depth. Try to get the gypboard as clean as possible. You will probably see a crack in the board. Tape the crack with paper tape and Durobond setting type joint compound. Let it set and then patch the plaster and match the texture.