SMOOTH OPERATOR
Stacey Booth from Okarno, looks at how to achieve a smooth finish on existing plastered walls and ceilings.
Painters and decorators often work on projects where the existing plastered walls and ceilings require some kind of remedial work. If the surface is clearly showing signs of blown plaster and coming away from the walls, then complete removal and commissioning of a professional plasterer is required. However, in cases where the plaster surface is showing signs of general wear and tear and requires significant filling and sanding, an alternative to consider is roller-applied coverings for a quick and simple solution.
Repairing existing plaster
The development of ready-mixed roller-applied coverings provides painters and decorators with a practical solution that sits between minor preparation and touch-ups, and complete replastering. Their adaptability and ease of application means that these roller-applied coverings help keep the job moving forward without delays.
A useful feature of roller-applied coverings is their rapid drying time. Most products, including popular choices such as Dalapro Roll Nova, dry within 8 hours, depending on application thickness and environmental factors. This quick drying time enables faster project completion – apply it last thing in the afternoon and it should be ready for the next stages the morning after.
Perfect Balance
Ready-mixed roller-applied coverings are specifically designed for easy application using a standard 9” paint roller. They perform two functions simultaneously: filling minor surface irregularities and creating a smooth finish ready for decoration. Their formulation has been developed to achieve the perfect balance between ease of application and surface coverage.
Generally, ready-mixed roller-applied coverings are a popular choice because they are always the right consistency. This removes the need to measure and mix the product, and prevents wastage from mixing errors, or having to throw unused product away at the end of the project. They comprise of a mix of fine fillers, binding agents and special additives that create a smooth, manageable product that can be rolled directly onto the wall or ceiling like paint.
Versatility
After applying to walls and ceilings, a skimming blade is used to spread and smooth the covering evenly, helping achieve a professional result. Once dry, lightly sand and the surface will be ready or final decoration. This versatility makes roller-applied coverings a go-to solution for an increasing number of painters and decorators.
They can be applied straight onto existing surfaces, often removing the need for extensive surface preparation. Roller-applied coverings also work particularly well on a wide range of targeted repair work such as nail pops, managing cracks and various surface imperfections. In these applications they effectively restore surfaces to a uniform, smooth finish. For more substantial gaps and cracks, roller-applied coverings can be combined with scrim, joint tape and fillers to ensure a more robust and enduring repair solution.
Last word
Project preparation is often the most demanding and time-intensive phase, but ready-mixed, roller-applied surface coverings offer painters and decorators a practical solution for streamlining filling and prep work.
While these products are highly effective for addressing minor imperfections, they aren’t suitable for every scenario. In more complex cases, the expertise of a professional plasterer remains essential.
Related posts:
