Lime Putty Plasters:
Coarse Stuff with hair and fibres
Coarse Stuff with hemp
Coarse stuff
Fine Stuff

The first and most historic method used for plastering walls was the use of Lime Putty plasters (non-
Hydraulic Lime). This type of plaster is ideal for the care and restoration of older buildings, and

can be used internally and externally.
Manufactured on site in Yorkshire by Womersley’s Ltd from lime putty, which has been allowed
to mature for at least 4 months and selected aggregates.
Womersley’s Lime Putty plasters are completely breathable, meaning moisture isn’t trapped in
the walls, they have natural elasticity, which allows for absorption of minor building movement,
and they are supplied as ready to use wet mixes.
Coarse Stuff with Hair or Hemp are traditional lime putty-based undercoat plasters for
masonry and lath. Coarse stuff is also suitable for application internally and externally to straw
bale builds. Often known as the scratch or dubbing out coat it can be applied straight to
masonry, laths or strawbale.
The hair or hemp give the coarse stuff strength and reinforcement. If you are plastering onto
timber laths, then coarse stuff with extra hair is the ideal product for providing secure nibs and
strength around the laths.
Course Stuff unhaired is often referred to as the float coat and is applied over the scratch
coat. Used with no hair or hemp to prevent hairs protruding through the topcoat
Fine Stuff is a rich top coat plaster made with fine silver sand and extra fine mature lime putty.
Lime putty plasters are alkaline and therefore naturally anti-bacterial combating mildew and
limiting the growth of moulds.
Non-hydraulic lime products set by carbonation which is a gradual process and gives the
product a long shelf life, providing the tub is kept sealed and airtight. The mix may stiffen over
time in storage but can be ‘knocked up’ again and again to the ideal consistency.
Surface Preparation:
Ensure the background is thoroughly clean. If the background is wet, then check externally for
cracks or other causes of water penetration. Causes of damp should be remedied first eg re
pointing outside with a hydraulic lime mortar. Apply sufficient water to reduce excessive suction,
especially on bricks and porous stone and always dampen down before applying subsequent
coats.
When plastering on laths wood lath backgrounds should be well wetted the day before and
again 2 hours before application.
Application:
If dubbing out on defaced surfaces then apply the dubbing out coat 3-4 days before application
of the undercoat. For backing / scratch coat apply at 10-12mm and if required thicker then apply
in two coats, leaving 3-4 days between applications. Where different materials meet and where
there are timber lintels, it’s advisable to apply laths first.

A float coat is to be applied 5-7 days after the backing / scratch coat. Check for shrinkage during
the first 2 days and, if necessary, lightly dampen, scour back and re-key.
The coarse undercoats are then traditionally finished with Fine stuff, applied at 2-3mm thickness
in two passes.