TRADE OF PLASTERING

PHASE 2

Module 2

External Work

UNIT: 2

Patent Reveals
Module 2– Unit 2 Patent Reveals

Produced by

In cooperation with subject matter expert:

Terry Egan

Some images & text courtesy of Gypsum Industries Ltd.

© FÁS - Foras Áiseanna Saothair 2008

Plastering Phase 2 Revision 1.0 July 2008

Module 2– Unit 2 Patent Reveals

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1

Unit Objective .............................................................................................................. 1

1.0 Form Patent Reveals Around Door and Window Openings .................. 1

1.1 Select, Measure and Cut Rules to Correct Dimensions ........................1

1.2 Safety When Using Steel Nails..................................................................3

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Module 2– Unit 2 Patent Reveals

Introduction
Welcome to this section of your course which is designed to introduce you the
learner, patent reveals.

Unit Objective
By the end of this unit each apprentice will be able to:

 Form patent reveals around door and window openings

1.0 Form Patent Reveals Around Door

and Window Openings
Key Learning Points
 Select, measure and cut rules to correct dimensions
 Safety when using steel nails

1.1 Select, Measure and Cut Rules to Correct

Dimensions
The sides of a door or window opening between the frame and the face of the
wall, and at right angles to the face of the wall are the reveals. These reveals are
referred to as being either flush reveals or patent reveals.

Flush reveals, as their name indicates, finish flush to the face of the wall and are
usually finished with the same material and texture of finish as the wall.

Patent reveals, on the other hand when finished, project beyond the floating
coat, and are formed by using specially designed rules which, when removed
after completion of the reveals provide a projecting narrow band, usually
25mm, around the opening, to facilitate the finishing coat and give a pleasing
and accentuating appearance to the opening. These patent reveals are usually
used in conjunction with textured external finishes and are generally finished in
a plain faced napped finish which contrasts with, and enhances the coarser
texture of the completed wall.

The usual mix for this operation is 1 part cement, 1 part lime and 3 parts sand
by volume. Sometimes the head of the reveal takes a lot of plaster due to the
lintel being too high, to overcome this situation the plasterer can use rapid
hardening cement. Refer to the manufacturer’s specification on the amount to
be used. This practice saves the plasterer both time and lessens frustration.

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Module 2– Unit 2 Patent Reveals

Before taking away the patent reveal rules, the plasterer should be completely
satisfied that the material has set and hardened sufficiently to avoid damage to
the nibs.

When flush reveals are to be formed with plain faced napped finish work, the
reveals are generally laid on first and then the main areas to be finished are
worked on.

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Module 2– Unit 2 Patent Reveals

1.2 Safety When Using Steel Nails

Steel Nails

Key specifications/Special Features:

 Material: hardened steel

 Plating: zinc-plated, yellow zinc-plated and hot-dip galvanized
 Metric sizes: Various sizes

Installed By Hammer

Hardened Steel Nails are similar to the lost head nail but are made from
specially hardened zinc-plated steel for making hammered fixing directly into
brickwork and concrete without plugging. There are available in lengths up to
100 mm. Goggles must always be worn when driving these nails.

Using Nails

Nails are driven with an appropriate hammer. Use a pin hammer for fine work
and a claw hammer for heavier work. Always keep the hammer face clean, by
rubbing it with a fine abrasive paper. A dirty hammer face tends to slip on the
nail head, damaging the work piece and bending the nail. Keep an eye on the
nail and check the angle as it enters the wood. To avoid damage and bending,
the hammer shaft at the moment of impact should be at right angles to the nail.

Methods of Using Nails

Always nail the thin piece to the thick piece

Use a length of nail that is about 2½ or 3 times the thickness of the wood it is
being driven through. This gives approximately two thirds of the nail to
provide the holding power.

When joining two thin pieces, use a nail length 4 to 6mm longer than the
combined thickness of the pieces. This allows the protruding end to be
clenched over for strength.

Where extra strength is required always dovetail or skew nail. Using this
method prevents the nails from being pulled out or working loose.

Where oval or rectangular section nails are used, the widest dimension must be
parallel to the grain of the timber. Their use in the opposite direction, across
the grain, will normally result in the timber splitting.

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Module 2– Unit 2 Patent Reveals

When nailing near the end of a piece of timber, the timber has a tendency to
split. In order to overcome this, the point of the nail should be tapped with a
hammer to blunt the point before the nail is used. The point of a nail tends to
part the fibres of the timber and therefore split it, while the blunted end tends
to tear its way through the fibres, making a hole for itself.

Pilot holes may be required or specified to receive wire nails in structural joints.
These pilot holes should be up to 80% of the nail shank diameter, in order to
prevent splitting.

Pilot holes are essential when nailing hardwoods.

Stagger nails across the grain: do not nail in the same grain line more than once,
as this will split the wood. Nails in surfaces to be painted should be punched
just below the surface ready for filling.

Safety glasses, goggles or eye shields must be worn where there is any
foreseeable risk of eye injury. Eye injury can result from:

 Hammering steel nails

 Using power tools – drilling and grinding.
 Hammering and driving tools - cutting, chipping and chiselling.
 Flying particles - dust and chemical splashes.

Protective Clothing

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FÁS Learning Innovation Unit
Tallaght Training Centre
Cookstown Road
Cookstown Industrial Estate
Tallaght
Dublin 24