lathe and plaster ceiling

theGrinch

I have a reception room with the original lathe and plaster ceiling. It has about 4 cracks. Not particulary wide but you can still make them on when looking up. I want to paint the ceiling white with silk emlusion.

Is there anything I can do to obscure the cracks, without having to take the ceiling down? Would filler and two coats be sufficient?

thanks

plumb1_2

Useing filler is ok,along the line of the cracks get a stanley knife etc and cut a V shape into the plaster,before you fill,it will help key the fill better.
And overfill,so when you sand down you dont have to refill the small holes.

And this is the last post I,am ever doing  this YEAR

theGrinch

thanks for the reply.

I have been told that I should rake it out. does this mean opening the crack?

I have also been told that if the ceiling leaves a powdery white substance on my finger I will need a stabilising solution to seal it. Is this correct?

Hopefully this will be your first post of 2005 ;D

psy

We have all of our ceilings wallpapered - not by choice, they were all like this when we moved in last year.

I don't know if it's an option you want to consider.

The ceilings downstairs look pretty good, but a couple of the bedroom ceilings show bad cracks and I think the whole ceiling will have to come down in the near future.

theGrinch

papering is an option, but I think I'll try to keep the original ceiling

Boohbah

I have been told that I should rake it out. does this mean opening the crack?

Yes, as plumb1 has already explained.

I have also been told that if the ceiling leaves a powdery white substance on my finger I will need a stabilizing solution to seal it. Is this correct?

You can either wash it of (Its probable Whitening) or use stabilizing solution.

I want to paint the ceiling white with silk emulsion.

Using silk emulsion will highlight the problem.
Use matt emulsion.

skiddy2k

use the 'V' method on the cracks.
it is also an idea to get a thin brush and put some pva adhesive/glue along the v groove before you actually put the filler onto the crack.
what this does, is that it lets your 'V'groove in the plaster board absorb the glue, so when you put the filler on, it doesnt absord all of the moisture/water out of the filler into the plastered ceiling in the long run.

robowen

thanks for the reply.

I have been told that I should rake it out. does this mean opening the crack?

I have also been told that if the ceiling leaves a powdery white substance on my finger I will need a stabilising solution to seal it. Is this correct?

Hopefully this will be your first post of 2005  ;D

as previouslt stated, rake out the cracks, fill, sand down.

Then, rub over the whole ceiling lightly with sand paper to remove any sharp objects and apply a coating of PVA glue and water.

Not exactly sure what ratio, but 20:1 should do it. 20water. (its not critical, a dab of glue in a pot of water)
this will seal the ceiling, and you will need less paint as the ceiling won't absorb as much paint.