Newly Skimmed Walls

[MD2010uk]

Hi,

First off, sorry if these questions are stupid- im not very DIY minded!!

Just had the walls in our kitchen skimmed but unfortunately there are a few places where the finish isnt as smooth as expected- am I ok just to go over this with some fine sandpaper?

Also, there are a few places where there is a slight gap between the wall and the work surface - is this ok to be filled and sanded?

Finally, when plastering over angle bead - should the plaster fully cover every part? I just noticed this morning as its drying out that on the windowsills I can see some of the metal.

Thanks for the advice, and sorry for asking daft questions!!

 

[trowelmonkey1]

Hi MD,

First thing to do is to give the plaster a 'mist coat', water down some cheap/trade matt emulsion by about 15-20% and give it a coat of this, this will seal the plaster for starters before you put your finish coats of more epxensive paint on, of which it will still need 2 further coats.

this mist coat will also help you see where it needs a bit of TLC and make it more obvious as to what needs a little rub with sandpaper or a dab of filler etc.

regarding your beads, you should see the very corners and nothing more.

 

[MD2010uk]

Hi MD,

First thing to do is to give the plaster a 'mist coat', water down some cheap/trade matt emulsion by about 15-20% and give it a coat of this, this will seal the plaster for starters before you put your finish coats of more epxensive paint on, of which it will still need 2 further coats.

this mist coat will also help you see where it needs a bit of TLC and make it more obvious as to what needs a little rub with sandpaper or a dab of filler etc.

regarding your beads, you should see the very corners and nothing more.

Thanks trowelmonkey1 - much appreciated!

Sorry for asking another daft question- but when you say the very corners, does that mean the corners of the bead i.e. the metal and not the mesh and I can paint over it?

 

[Alastairreid]

you should not be able to see the mesh.

 

[roughcaster]

you should not be able to see the mesh.

Unless the plasterer made a "mesh" of the job Alastair,,, boom boom!!!

 

[Alastairreid]

you should not be able to see the mesh.

Unless the plasterer made a "mesh" of the job Alastair,,, boom boom!!!

Groan....

 

[Richard C]

First thing to do is to give the plaster a 'mist coat', water down some cheap/trade matt emulsion by about 15-20%

I think that’s a bit thick for a mist coat TM; I use 25-30% & 2/3 coats in quick succession which really helps it stick; dry out overnight & then chosen finish.

 

[trowelmonkey1]

i'll bow to your superior knowledge Rich C, i'll give your technique a go next time i do it mate! mist coat is one of those things you will get a slightly different answer for each time you ask the question, nice to have a definite/confident decision on this.

Op, you shouldn't see any mesh as the boys have said, the very corner of the bead though yes, and yes paint over it.

 

[stevethespreader]

mist coat is one of those things you will get a slightly different answer for each time you ask the question, nice to have a definite/confident decision on this.

your right there monkey i use 50-50, i suppose its like the pva scenario "ie" some paints are thinner and have more water than others,
i had a chat with a painter and dec a few weeks back who paints walls day in and day out, he said he uses 2 mist coats of 50-50 as well, b4 putting the final finish on

 

[trowelmonkey1]

guess it's another thing you get a feel for then, still, seems like either way i'm not diluting quite enough, will up my water content next time!

 

[1john]

guess it's another thing you get a feel for then, still, seems like either way i'm not diluting quite enough, will up my water content next time!

and save money on materials