Making a dogs dinner of the poly-filler.

justaquestion

Hi folks,


I'm not particularly good at DIY but have managed to use polly filler ok in a few small imperfections in walls and around electric plugs in studded walls.


Have a concrete wall where the plaster has come loose in a few places at bottom, not any great sized area but just making a dogs dinner of getting it filled.


I use a knife and paint scraper but finding it really difficult to get a smooth finish, even though I wet the knife or scraper, seems to lift some of the filler out when I try to smooth it over.


Just used my finger in end to smooth it over. Its the quick drying stuff, but from experience in past doesn't matter a great deal if quick drying or not.


Anyways I have got it done and though its not too noticeable I wish I could do it better. Can I build up some of the indentations with matt wall plaint to try to smooth it out a little better?


Thanks for any advice

jk0

I use this Wickes filler, apply it slightly proud, and then sand back when dry. Works a treat.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-All-Purpose-Ready-Mixed-Filler-10kg/p/600242

theonlywayisup

Do not try to fill and finish all in one go.

Fill.

Let dry.

Sand.

Fill again.

Dry.

Sand.

Repeat if necessary.

It is tempting to think you can fill and finish all in one go.

Silver-Surfer_2

Don't waste your time with ready mixed filler.

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p21148?table=no

Cornucopia

justaquestion wrote: »

I use a knife and paint scraper...

In addition to the above, you may find it easier with a straight-ended flexible filler knife. Either the sort that looks like a wallpaper scraper but isn't or this kind: http://www.poundland.co.uk/tommy-walsh-flexible-filling-blades-4pc-pack

There is definitely a technique - you have to push the filler in well, and you can either build-up to a smooth finish as suggested above, or use the blade to flatten-off the finish before it dries. It's a very forgiving material because it can easily be sanded, chipped-away or built-up as necessary.

You won't get very far adding layers of paint to try to get a smooth finish.

Personally, I don't mind ready-mixed. The Poundland one is fine. For a beginner, mixing from powder just adds another complication, I would say.

casper_g

Polyfilla One Fill. I used to have the same sort of problems, but this stuff is like magic for filling little holes in a wall before painting. Practically perfect results every time, and I've never even felt the need to sand it down.
It would be no good for a big repair or anything structural - it's like a mousse - but otherwise amazing!

Grenage

A powdered filler used slightly proud and sanded will generally get you a cheap and flawless finish.

wrightk

justaquestion wrote: »

Hi folks,
I use a knife and paint scraper but finding it really difficult to get a smooth finish, even though I wet the knife or scraper, seems to lift some of the filler out when I try to smooth it over.

If the polyfilla is lifting when you are applying it suggests the hole maybe slightly too large so in future there is two options

1- either fill and sand in stages as others have suggested
2- get a deeper gap filler, which will have the benefit of more PVA added to it

pendragon_arther

A drop of washing up liquid in the water to wet the knife helps too.

Nilrem

I've always found the following to be helpful when filling holes.

Make sure the holes are clean and free of dust.
Use good quality powdered filler - IMO you might as well throw the likes of homebase own brand filler straight in the bin, it'll save time (the number of times I wasted time and effort with cheap filler to save a pound or two annoys me looking back), and give a more consistent result.
Apply in thin layers, letting it dry then sanding (and wiping off the dust from the sanding) between layers.
If the hole is small but deep it may be worth making it slightly larger to get the filler in to the back more easily, as opposed to just covering the surface (small screw holes etc).

Not polyfilling, but similar, we've been trying to do some decorating here and part of it involves filling some holes in wood.
We've discovered the joys of a two part epoxy wood filler (I think it's from polyfiller), which is the first one we've ever used that has actually had a good grip, filled wood well, and sanded nicely. It's more expensive and slightly harder to use than the cheap stuff, but much better to apply and far better results. It is now on my "always use for this job" list.

POPPYOSCAR

Nilrem wrote: »

I've always found the following to be helpful when filling holes.

Make sure the holes are clean and free of dust.
Use good quality powdered filler - IMO you might as well throw the likes of homebase own brand filler straight in the bin, it'll save time (the number of times I wasted time and effort with cheap filler to save a pound or two annoys me looking back), and give a more consistent result.
Apply in thin layers, letting it dry then sanding (and wiping off the dust from the sanding) between layers.
If the hole is small but deep it may be worth making it slightly larger to get the filler in to the back more easily, as opposed to just covering the surface (small screw holes etc).

Not polyfilling, but similar, we've been trying to do some decorating here and part of it involves filling some holes in wood.
We've discovered the joys of a two part epoxy wood filler (I think it's from polyfiller), which is the first one we've ever used that has actually had a good grip, filled wood well, and sanded nicely. It's more expensive and slightly harder to use than the cheap stuff, but much better to apply and far better results. It is now on my "always use for this job" list.

Really?


My OH is just in the process of making good holes and cracks in our kitchen as we are refitting our kitchen.


He is using Homebase ready mixed filler for the deeper cracks and holes and wickes ready mixed fine for the smaller cracks.


He is finding them both great and the kitchen looks like new.


We are very pleased with the results.