What is the best product to fix plaster cracks and holes?
How big is the area? Often wallpaper was used to hide reoccuring cracks. Proof against this is a screening material that comes in 3′ wide rolls and then skimcoat the entire wall… or cover the wall with a thin sheetrock and compound as needed. There are many choices for a smaller repair. Years ago one way the top of 3 coats of plaster was made was with slacked lime (also called lime putty) and a plaster of paris mix. The mx would keep the plaster of paris from hardening too quickly (5 to 25 min) and give an open time of 2 to 3 hours. Other products will do the same thing (milk or vinegar). I prefer plaster of paris for its resulting hardness, lack of shrinking, smooth finish and ability to shape a finish to match some moldings if necessary, but it is not everyone’s “cup of tea”. It hardens too quickly for most to handle without a lot of waste. There are other powders on the market that proclaim a 30, 45 or 90 minute open time but I find these don’t have a smooth enough finish. I have
