Cracked ceiling - advice on how to disguise it?

gill_81uk

I have just removed woodchip to find a very cracked ceiling in my bedroom. Most of the cracks are hairline but quite a few are bigger (although possibly not big enough for polyfiller) and we dont know how best to disguise them. We both dislike papered ceilings so would like to avoid that if poss, and dont want to pay a plasterer to do it as we dont spend enough time in that room to justify the cost. I have ruled out polycell smooth over after seeing reviews on here and experiences of friends and family. I have heard about textured paint and think this may be an option. Can anyone reccommend any good ones or give me any other ideas?

Any advice will be much appreciated.

jason_s_2

Have you tried a filler that is for fine cracks? I've used it a few times and think its quite handy as once you put it on you dont have to sand.I got mine from B n Q for about £3-£4.

beaker141

I had a similar issue in a couple of rooms.

Living Room - Used self adhesive plasterers mesh tape first over the crack, and then used cove adhesive (its very fine). Sanded it off a little just to get a smooth finish. After papering the cracks havent appeared again in over 4 years.

Bedroom - No paper on that ceiling, just cracks ! Gouged out a wider crack (I think trying to fill just a very thin crack is rareyl going to hold) and then used a tube of decorators caulk, advantage being that with the caulking gun you can really squish it into the crack, then overfil and use a spatula or scraper to level it off. When properly dried you can sand it flush again. It too is holding out well and the crack hasnt reappeared.

Just a couple of ides - hope they are of use.

misgrace

Gill, you have a couple of options, firstly, I would still sand down the hairline cracks, as they will have a slight ridge, so if you sand that down, the hairline wont show as much.
Secondly, the bigger cracks you must fill, what you do is either get a flat headed screwdriver, or a scraper knife, and cut along the crack to make it it wider, rub it down then fill, with either the normal pollyfiller, or tetrion which I use, (I swear by it) from dec shops.
Dont over fill, but the first fill will sink into the crack, when dry, sand down gently, then fill again, and repeat.
after this rub your fingers along it, and if it still feels indented, then fill again and sand, (trust me its worth all the hassle) till you feel its flush with the ceiling.
Cause you have put quite a bit of filler on, I would then dilute some PVA/Unibond, and brush on the filled bits, this will give the filler a hard shell feel and helps to stop the filler from cracking afterwards.
Then, when you come to paint the ceiling, before you actually roll the ceiling, brush on the emulsion at least 2-3 times on the filled bits then you roll at least 2 -3 good coats.(good quality paint) thin the first coat by at least 20%

By brushing the emulsion prior to rolling, this then stop your filler from 'flashing', which means if you dont do this, you will see the filled area thru your coats, it always happens, unless you do like I say.

I know its hassle, but its worth it in the end, or you can either line the ceiling, or even use that flexicover paint, I have never used it so I cant tell you if its any good, but I have come across some right kr@ppy ceilings, and have saved my clients a small fortune on plastering by doing the is way.:D

nelly_2

The best stuff is Gyroc joint filler its about 12 quid from B&Q.

cattie

I used a product by Polycell for cracked ceilings & walls on the badly cracked ceiling in my smallest bedroom. It made a pretty good job of it & I'd been worried that the only remedy would be to get the ceiling papered.

If the cracks are bigger than hairline then it's probably an idea to use a lightweight filler on them first. I can't remember exactly what it's called but it's something quite obvious like Polycell Paint for Cracked Walls & Ceilings.

misgrace

nelly wrote:

The best stuff is Gyroc joint filler its about 12 quid from B&Q.

It is quite good, and you get a lot for your money, but the downside for the DIYer is that it goes off quite quickly, the normal DIYer I think need something that they can work with for a while, and not go off so quick, unless they knock up small amounts of course.:D

nelly_2

misgrace wrote:

It is quite good, and you get a lot for your money, but the downside for the DIYer is that it goes off quite quickly, the normal DIYer I think need something that they can work with for a while, and not go off so quick, unless they knock up small amounts of course.:D

Its premixed and the easiest stuff to sand if it does go off, thats why I suggested it.

misgrace

I thought you meant the one that comes in a great big back, it last forever dry, but once its knocked up, and if your not quick enough, you end up chucking it away.

I might give the stuff you mentioned a go, how much do you get for £12 quid

Hizz

As another option, you can paper the whole ceiling or any blemished walls with very thick lining paper and paint after. I have done this in the past (think it's 1200 gauge). So thick, you can even sand it down with fine glass paper.

Ask at a decorators merchants though, not a B & Q type DIY store - there's isn't thick enough.

nelly_2

misgrace wrote:

I thought you meant the one that comes in a great big back, it last forever dry, but once its knocked up, and if your not quick enough, you end up chucking it away.

I might give the stuff you mentioned a go, how much do you get for £12 quid

12 litres click me too see a tub of the stuff