Filler advice needed

considered over-boarding the whole ceiling?

A sledgehammer to crack a nut?

Any light filler from B&Q or a decorating store will do. Don't try and get it level first time. Let the first application set and add more until it is right.

Cracks in a ceiling are usually caused by movement. And most fillers - although saying they are flexible - are not.

Decorators caulk will do it, as it is pretty flexible. But it shrinks as it dries, so will likely need several goes to get a nice flat surface. No problem, if you're not in a rush.

you do need more than one

You need something strong and structural to glue some plasterboard into the holes - after that use LIGHTWEIGHT filler to achieve a cosmetic result.

and sand it back if it is proud

I use Gyproc Easi-Fill 60 for this sort of thing, it doesn't set as hard as some other fillers so is easy to sand down to get a good finish to paint over. The 2cm holes will need doing in stages, maybe mixsome easifill into some thin fabrick/net, roll up and stuff in hole to just below the surface. When set finish of with just easifill. Plenty of suppliers, just google it.

Now 'er in doors was helping her elderly parents do the same and being the non-DIY'er she decided she was going to plug all the downlighter holes with Oasis plugs, you know, that firm foam used for flower arranging.

The ceiling was going to be skimmed over anyway so she plugged then filled with fine filler. Would you believe it actually worked... in fact it worked so well aparently that the plastere that came to skim the ceiling said he'd be using the same method for all his hole-plugging jobs.

As far as we know they're still crack free.

Couldn't do it myself but sometimes the craziest ideas work.

Oh and Er indoors' Uncle who is a big DIY'er/decorator said he mixes filler with paint for ceiling cracks rather than trying to "fill" hairline cracks that always re-open in time.

Having not done this for some time I thought someone with regular experience might say "Whooppee filer" is the must have.

Thank you.

Alan

A 60's bungalow will not have a very flat or smooth ceiling anyway so probably in need of a professional skim, so what you plug the old cable holes with doesn't matter. try Wickes fine surface filler.

I'm confused, The old 1960s holes are a lot bigger than 2 cms.

So, the 2cms is the excess hole, round the new lights?

In which case, what is holding those up?

The best light filler I've found is 1-Strike.

I would get some mesh behind the ceiling holes and push the first fill of filler into the mesh. Ideally, stick the mesh to the back of the ceiling with one of the expanding foam adhesives. Once the first fill has set it's easy to get the next (lightweight) fill slightly proud and then sand down.

Or that wallpaper that goes on the ceiling?

Bill

Now I have to find mesh. :)

Thanks. I have always handled large holes by inserting strips of hardboard or ply with a couple of protruding nails as handles and the edges primed with NoNails or similar adhesive. Pushing them through and using the nails to wiggle them in position. Next day, pull the nails out and plaster the filler on.

Thanks for the tip. AS

halfords sell it for car repairs.