We are attempting to skim coat over a stomp textured ceiling (400 square feet). Scraping is not an option. Pics of ceiling available at:
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're not sure what material to use. The lady at home depot suggested we use 'Polyfix smooth surface filler'.
Is this a good choice? Besides being expensive, it seems to me that it would be better suited for fixing small imperfections as opposed to smoothing out an entire ceiling. Would it be better to use drywall compound? What about some sort of plaster?
Also, any good tips for skim coating a ceiling? I want nice results and
want to avoid having the stuff crack, fall off, etc.
I've seen a "Pro" smooth walls in a home that had knock down texture. He thinned his joint compound and applied a thin coat on an entire wall, moving from left to right horizontally. After letting it cure, he applied another thin coat left to right vertically. Using this method he filled in all the areas a little at a time to reduce the need for lot of sanding. The trick I guess is finesse. I imagine a ceiling would be more difficult.
Oren
"My doctor says I have a malformed public-duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fiber, and that I am therefore excused from saving Universes."
You say scraping isn't an option. I'm going to pretend you didn't say that. I'd strongly recommend against trying to skim over that texture as-is. Consider using a plaster plane to knock off the worst of the ridges. You should be able to find one at a decent drywall/plaster/stucco supplier. It looks like this:
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going to be very loud - use ear protection.)
Once you've knocked down as much texture as possible...
Clean with TSP or substitute. Let it dry completely.
Prime
Apply premixed All purpose or light-weight joint compound. It'll take many (3 or more) coats if you're not skilled with a trowel/knife. Be sure to allow plenty of drying time between coats. (All-purpose has better hold, lightweight shrinks less and is easier to sand.)
Sand
Touch-up bad spots.
Prime.
Touch-up the bad spots which weren't there before you primed, but which are bloody obvious now.
Sand
Prime Touched-up spots.
Paint.
If you're still unhappy with the results, replace the surface mounted ceiling fixture with one that doesn't provide such critical lighting. If it still looks bad, replace all 60 watt bulbs in the room with 15 watt and wear a baseball cap with a large visor when in the room. :)
It appears you have some hairline cracks above the doors:
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and possibly a crack or bulge here as well:
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These cracks will re-appear through the skim coat if you don't fix them. Scrape really well around the crack. Apply paper tape with all-purpose mud. Top with all-purpose or light-weight. You'll want to work these repairs in at the appropriate stages in the skimming project.
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