Skimming question

[ss]

The last time I skimmed a joint in plasterboard I used a product which I cant remember the name of but it was sold as an easier to use subsitute for normal skimming plaster, although proper plasterers didnt think so, it dried white and came I think in a 5 or 10 kilo bag (powder)It sanded very easily and gave me a good finish.

Any guesses as to what it was.

[Andy Burns]

Dunno, but Wickes do a ready-mixed jointing compound which sands well

[ss]

Ok I will have a look at them.

Thanks

[Andy Burns]

Depends how big an area you're doing, for taper joints it's fine, but if skimming several whole boards it would get expensive.

[ss]

Just filling in some 5 inch holes which were previously halogen fittings, I have fixed a batton and then a piece of plasterboard to roughly fill the space. So now just levelling off with the filler.

[Peter Johnson]

I've done similar jobs with ordinary filler.

[Andrew]

Wickes fine surface filler can be applied like normal gypsum plaster, but unlike gypsum plaster you can scrape (*) and sand it to get a flat finish.

(*) When set but, before dry use the long edge of a steel ruler at about 30 degrees to remove excess, then when dry use a sanding block.

[ss]

Thanks for the tips.

[tabbypurr]

That's roughly what I just did. Do the scraping accurately enough, fill fine surface imperfections and the sanding required dwindles to near zero.

NT

[Dave Liquorice]

The "polyfilla" type products can also be polished just like plaster. Saves any messy sanding down.