I have a very small laundry room,(5'x12'),and it presently has painted horsehair plaster which is in bad repair. I want to fix the walls but don't want to tear out all the horsehair plaster. I had a friend look at it and he suggested veneer plaster over it.
would this work and can a homeowner tackle this with good results?
any better ideas?

The holes/areas of disrepair would, of course, need to be patched properly. After that, if he used a plaster bonding agent in between the horsehair plaster wall and the new veneer plaster it can work just fine!

He could also use joint compound (dry mix from a bag), but the veneer plaster would be a better job, for sure!

Mark

I would use 1/4" drywall and put it right over all the old plaster.

I guess the best answer is to rip out the pklaster and attach the new drywall to the lathe. I looked at the price of veneer plaster at the local building store since the big boxes don't carry it anymore and they quated me over twenty bucks a bag with a week or so lead time. I figure I seal off the room and take bags outside and toss in my buddy's dumpster with his OK. Then put up the six or seven sheets.
Thanks guys for all the input.. I think this is the best way

i guess the best answer is to rip out the pklaster and attach the new drywall to the lathe. i looked at the price of veneer plaster at the local building store since the big boxes don't carry it anymore and they quated me over twenty bucks a bag with a week or so lead time. i figure i seal off the room and take bags outside and toss in my buddy's dumpster with his ok. then put up the six or seven sheets.
thanks guys for all the input..i think this is the best way

Make sure you screw to the studs and not the lath. Maybe easier all around to pull that too but thickness may be an issue. Over lath you could use 3/8 drywall.

Yeah, plaster veneer work isn't something a homeowner should attempt... thought your friend was a plasterer and he was going to do this for you!

In any case, ripping the old horsehair down to the lathe is definitely the best alternative, for sure! Plan on using joint compound (dry mix) for best results if you've never worked with the stuff!

If the present plaster is in bad shape and you go right over it, I'll bet that 1/4" drywall will be wavy and not line up at the seams very well in places. You can fill those spots with compound of course, but wouldn't 3/8" make a big difference?