Decorating help needed please

Librisal

Recently moved and want to decorate, so we started stripping wallpaper off hall walls and some of the plaster has come off too only about 1mm but quite large patches. We do not want to paper again just paint. Can anyone suggest a product to skim over patches to bring surface level. Thanks

ginvzt

I think you can get the polyfiller and use it on those places - I did it and it looks fine. After you smooth it, let it dry, put a bit more, you can even let it to be a tiny bit more than the wall around and then sand it down to make it even and smooth. My walls looked good after that!

Librisal

Thank you for the reply, I have seen on the polyfilla site two products.

Finishing skim polyfilla
Plaster repair polyfilla

Was this what you used? or has someone else used these products? Would appreciate any feedback if you have.

tyadog

Hi
Have just used polycell "smoothover" for a similar problem. It was easy to apply - you buy a special tool, and could be sanded once dry to get a good finish. The stuff comes ready mixed in a tub as well.

Hope that helps

Smithills

I'm just doing up a large old house, and have found some dodgy plaster- I can sympathise with you! I've previously used a ready mixed patching plaster from Wickes- in a 10 litre tub (I think). Buy yourself a float- one of those flat trowels with a handle on one side- makes it easier to apply and get it reasonable flat. Make sure the surface you're applying it to is dust free and sound- no crumbly stuff. The surface should be a little rough. Spray the wall with water before skimming on a thin layer to allow the product to adhere to the surface underneath. Spray again with a little water and use the float to make the surface nice and flat if you have brought the level up to where it should be. Remember that you need to apply a little excess, so you can flatten it by sanding- but not too much- it's very annoying having to sand off plaster you have carefully applied!

This might be a bit more than you need for your situation- but make sure the wall is sound. Any loose stuff will eventually fall off and you'll kick yourself for maing do. I'm speaking from bitter experience:o

totalsolutions

You dont rub walls down, do it smooth with a trowel, H&S the dust, your lungs, plasterers dont rub down their work.

Librisal

Thankyou all for the suggestions :T you are all so helpful on this site.

totalsolutions

DIY plastering site HERE

misgrace

Librisal wrote: »

Recently moved and want to decorate, so we started stripping wallpaper off hall walls and some of the plaster has come off too only about 1mm but quite large patches. We do not want to paper again just paint. Can anyone suggest a product to skim over patches to bring surface level. Thanks

You can use just ordinary polyfiller, as the patches are quite small.

The best way to do it is, to sand the patches so there is no rough edges, then knock up your filler and fill over the patch, do lay it on thick, even if the patch still looks indented, the filler will dry very quickly, you just sand it, then if there is still an indent, fill again, and repeat.

Heres a tip....., when you have finished all your filling/rubbing down etc, dont roll over these filled areas, as sometimes the the filler will lift onto your roller.
Just get a brush, some diluted paint, and brush it on the filled areas, do this about 2-3 times, this will seal the filler, and make it easier for you to roll over it, plus will stop the filler 'flashing' (showing through your final coats of paint.:D

Personally, as a P&D myself, I would give the ready made filler a wide berth, and tbh, I never use it, its awful to sand down.
I know its supposed to be easier for people as its already made up, but its not as good, or easy to sand down as the one you have to knock up yourself.

nickj_2

further to misgrace's comments i always use a solvent based sealer to stop filler from showing thru - you can get a sealer primer or just use a slovent based u/c

misgrace

misgrace wrote: »

, do lay it on thick, even if the patch still looks indented, the filler will dry very quickly, you just sand it, then if there is still an indent, fill again, and repeat.

.

Lol, meant to write DONT lay it on thick.....

I agree with nick's advice also, re the solvent to cover the patches, depends on time though, as solvent takes longer to dry than emulsion, but its a good tried and tested method also:D .