Yer Spanish Plaster...?

Hello Readers
Thankyou for all your requests for my new global plastering service!
Unfortunately demand is outstripping supply so here is a new idea .. my new "Ask Ezappy?" page where we invite readers to send in their problems for our team of experts and this week's letter comes from Espana...hep hem!

Spanish traditional plaster Escayola, is a tad on the quick-setting side if you are comparing it to the usual gypsum based product normally available in the UK. On TV's DIY SOS prog in Spain I saw last year, the stuff went off within minutes, and was a solid block in the bucket even before the Brit tradesman got to the top of the ladder!
The technique seemed to be to make a weak slurry first and then add more plaster after a minute or two. Presumably the effect of partially gone off stuff in the mix acts as a retardant. That's a guess only, but!
With the British product such as Multifinish the technique is to get the "gear" as we call it up on the wall quickly without worring too much about the finish. As the plaster starts to warm and go off, the wall is trowelled to smooth out trowel marks and bumps. Normally the plaster is workable for 45 minutes but less if it is warm and dry, ie in Spain so probably it would be an advantage to try before sun-up!
When the plaster is still damp but set and you can touch it without leaving finger marks, splash some water on it and apply firm pressure with the trowel to smooth over and fill any dips. The resulting creamy slurry is called 'fat' and should not be over-worked or it will never go off but you can if you are quick use it to fill any dips.
A quick google search has unearthed an additive which gives you more time to get the wall looking flat.
The difficulty with working with plaster is to manage the sense of panic that takes over when you have a load going off in the bucket instead of on the wall. The answer is to get it up quickly on the wall in two separate coats working from the bottom of the wall moving from left to right. Always keep your tools clean as you go and practice on somewhere where is doesn't matter first.
Ceilings are easy. It's the same as for walls but you arm is over your head of course.
That's all for this week dear readers so until next time.. happy plastering!!!