Best way to repair cracks along coving edges

Leif

I put up coving last autumn (plaster coving and Gyproc coving cement) and now some of it has cracks where it joins the walls. Some of the older coving that has been in place for 40 years also has developed cracks, so it looks like my coving fitting is not to blame. What is the best way to fill the cracks?

A plasterer suggested filling with Gripfill solvent free, which is rather like caulk. A small amount does not work, and it I put a lot on it is visible, and would need painting. From experience emulsion does not take to acrylic sealers e.g. caulk. I think acrylic paint is okay, but not Dulux brilliant white matt which I used for the coving.

It looks like I will have to fill with something, possibly coving adhesive, and then touch up the paint.

As an aside the walls are done with Dulux Endurance, so perhaps that is to blame for the cracks? Just a thought.

spadoosh

Paint cant make cracks, so doubt it was that. Plaster (forms of plaster) normally cracks during the drying process (normally when its dried too quick) unusual its happened to the old coving would suggest the property is settling or showing some signs of movement.

I would just use polycell ( a no sanding one would be easiest but any will do) Easily repaintable and will fill most cracks, you could use the coving adhesive but i think this dries harder than polyfilla and would be more difficult to sand down.

Leif

I wasn't thinking that the paint created cracks, but that for example it was less elastic than normal emulsion hence more liable to crack under stress, or that it is less permeable to moisture and air, which could create an effect.

Coving adhesive is easy to sand. I've never used Pollcell, not keen on Polyfilla though.

27col

Buy a tube of decorators caulk, great stuff for filling cracks. I wish that it had been available years ago when I was renovating and self building.