On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 09:42:15 +0100, "stuart noble"
wrote:
[snippage restored for continuity]
On Sun, 20 Jun 2004 15:10:29 GMT, Phil Addison wrote:
On Sun, 20 Jun 2004 13:23:57 +0100, "stuart noble"
wrote:
Sounds like you have lousy sills which you should ideally replace
If you prefer to modify the existing, you need to get a flat surface,
preferably sloping away a fraction.
The 'concrete' they are made of does seem to be fairly soft, and no
obvious concrete-type gravel visible at the surface. I did wonder if I
might be able to grind them down in-situ to get a decent run-off slope.
We had our limestone frontage restored last year and the stonemasons
used an air chisel to rough it back and a stone rasp to smooth it. I
wonder if I might achieve similar on these sills with my small SDS
chisel and/or an angle grinder if its not too hard. Don't know where to
get hold of a stone rasp though.
Polyfilla Exterior filler is fairly easy
to use as a skim although I would use car body filler if you can face the
extra work.
By 'extra work' do you mean sanding it smooth after it has gone off?
That and polyester being generally sticky and difficult to work with.
Ahh, yes. See what you mean.
I had the impression that Polyfilla Exterior was not particularly durable
or perhaps I'm biased by the interior stuff.
As a skim, more durable than any cement based mix
That would make it prime candidate then - cheap, easy to apply and
durable then. Is your preference for body filler because of its better
adhesion to the sill? I must say I would not relish working with the
latter if an easier alternative would do the job.
Then you need to get something genuinely waterproof on there.
I'm not clear why you suggest both a skim and a waterproof paint.
Skim to get it smooth/flat and provide a better base for the paint.
OK.
Pliolite paint is good but any solvent based paint will be better than
conventional masonry paint, which is not at all waterproof IME.
That was my other question (see my reply above), so thanks - I will
avoid conventional masonry paint.
I'm not familiar with Pliolite though
- what is it?
A type of synthetic rubber I believe. Macphersons, Johnstones, and most of
the other trade outlets do it. Based on solvent naptha so not too
environmentally friendly.
Thanks, found Pliolite here
http://www.eliokem.com/prod_coatings_plc.php
By 'any solvent based paint' is that as in ordinary gloss
woodwork paint?
Yep, although a matt might look better on sills. Mine are coated in red
oxide primer which is quite a good match for adjacent brickwork.
The adjacent walls are rendered in a yellowish spar, so a light colour
would be OK. Think I prefer the idea of a specialist paint for longer
life though.
Phil
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