Plaster repair lumps

Floopy2009

Just had some plaster repairs done but they have not been blending in well so are lumpy. How is the best way level  this down alot of sanding?

tacpot12

Sanding is probably the best option, although I understand why you are not keen. Have you asked the contractor that did the work what they can do about it? If they have a sanding machine with dust collection, they might be able to improve the situation while minimizing the dust. However, to be realistic, dust-collection usually only collects about 85% of the dust at best, so sealing off areas where you don't want dust to go is going to be both necessary and worthwhile.

The only other option I can think of is manual scraping, perhaps with a rasp or surform plane and then refilling the grooves that the rasp will make with polyfiller. Doing the work manually will reduce the amount of dust, and using a coarse tool like a rasp should produce bigger chuncks of plaster that will be easier to clean up. Trying to shave or plane the lumps with a scraper or blade will produce as much dust as sanding.

Going over it slowly with a surform plane like this one should minimise the dust:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Metal-Body-Surform-Plane/dp/B0001IWCW0/ref=asc_df_B0001IWCW0

FreeBear

Never had much luck with a Surform type tool. Belt sanders are way too aggressive, as are orbital sanders unless using fine grits (they also produce masses of dust that goes everywhere). Carbide scrapers will get some ridges/lines out, but they need to be held at around 90° to the wall. Steel scrapers will also do the job, but won't last very long.

Depending on how bad these "repairs" are, it may be easier to grind down the plaster (if it is something like Multifinish), and give it another skim. Multifinish can be feathered in to give a near perfect join - When I've done it, go over the area with a wet sponge float, and then hit it a couple of times with a finishing trowel. Alternatively, use Knauf Fill & Finish. Blending and removal of bumps can be done by wet sanding (another use for a damp sponge float) with zero dust. Or it can be dry sanded by hand which doesn't put so much dust in to the air.

First port of call should be the original contractor, and get them to finish the job to your satisfaction. Not always easy as I have found out, hence the reason I now do my own plastering.

Floopy2009

Cheers both personally I dont want him back cause I got a feeling he will make it worse messing around.  His plastering wasnt bad although some areas are a bit suspect and need tidying up. Mad as he has good reviews and been doing it for years maybe people expect it and just deal with it

FreeBear

Have a look to see what courses your local adult education put on. My local one does free short courses from time to time covering subjects like brick laying, tiling, and plastering - Did the plastering course and it gave me the confidence to plaster ceilings and skim walls.

Paid a plasterer to skim the walls & ceiling in the stairwell here, and once it was dry, I thought "I can do a better job than that". After doing the course, I can.

Floopy2009

FreeBear said:

Have a look to see what courses your local adult education put on. My local one does free short courses from time to time covering subjects like brick laying, tiling, and plastering - Did the plastering course and it gave me the confidence to plaster ceilings and skim walls.

Paid a plasterer to skim the walls & ceiling in the stairwell here, and once it was dry, I thought "I can do a better job than that". After doing the course, I can.

Absolutely once it dried then then imperfections were seen but yeah will have a look for courses 

ThisIsWeird

A bit of manual work should improve it considerably. Two parts to the process - the first is to remove any high spots, and then to fill in any hollows.
A pole sander - a large, half-sheet sanding plate on a two handed pole - shouldn't be too hard to use, with 120 grit paper. You should find that most of the dust will fall direct to the floor underneath, so plenty decor sheets.
Go over it lightly and systematically, until all high spots are removed. Wipe down, and give it all a good 'mist' coat of matt emulsion.
Once dry, you should have a better idea of what else is needed - likely not as bad as you fear. Tackle low spots and ridges using a wide filling knife and fine filler, and allow to dry. A further very light pole-sanding of these areas, and see what you have.