Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the spikes for
now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is tough
going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but not much
better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the spray not
having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a `softer`
looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two until I can get a
pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.

SS wrote:
Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the spikes for
now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is tough
going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but not much
better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the spray not
having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a `softer`
looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two until I can get a
pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.


orbital sander and dust mask.

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
SS wrote:
Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the spikes
for now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is
tough going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but not
much better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the spray
not having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a `softer`
looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two until I can get a
pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.
orbital sander and dust mask.


You should bear in mind early Artex has asbsestos fibres. Without testing
no way of being certain wheter yours has it or not.
You don't want to spread asbestos round the house do you?
There is special stuff made for covering it up but I don't recall the name.

OR
You can mix up plaster with PVA glue and water and apply it with a brush to
reduce the peaks. Keep brushing as it hardens, moves it from the peaks to
the troughs.

OR
Buy some polyskim & do the same or even try to skim it. Poly skim is easier
to use than plaster.

SS wrote:
Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the
spikes for now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is
tough going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but
not much better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the
spray not having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a
`softer` looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two
until I can get a pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.

Everything you try will cost more than having it re-plastered.
Just ring someone from your local newspaper to give you a price, it will
probably be less than you expect, about 80 quid

"Phil L" wrote in message
news
SS wrote:
Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the
spikes for now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is
tough going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but
not much better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the
spray not having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a
`softer` looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two
until I can get a pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.

Everything you try will cost more than having it re-plastered.
Just ring someone from your local newspaper to give you a price, it will
probably be less than you expect, about 80 quid


Phil I dont disagree with you but I dont have £80 to spare, I need to get
some outside work done, redecorate complete house, new kitchen and 2 new
bathrooms.Not fogetting cheap laminate flooring to be replaced with carpets.
Now a lot of the work I will DIY and only what I cant do the pros come in
subject to what budget is left. If it was only a ceiling then no probs,
although nothing major wrong with anything there are so many jobs to be done
I need to save where I can thats why if I can just improve some things until
a later date then I will live with that.
But you are right under normal circumstances thats what I would do.

In message , SS
writes

"Phil L" wrote in message
news
SS wrote:
Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the
spikes for now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is
tough going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but
not much better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the
spray not having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a
`softer` looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two
until I can get a pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.

Everything you try will cost more than having it re-plastered.
Just ring someone from your local newspaper to give you a price, it will
probably be less than you expect, about 80 quid


Phil I dont disagree with you but I dont have £80 to spare, I need to get
some outside work done, redecorate complete house, new kitchen and 2 new
bathrooms.Not fogetting cheap laminate flooring to be replaced with carpets.
Now a lot of the work I will DIY and only what I cant do the pros come in
subject to what budget is left. If it was only a ceiling then no probs,
although nothing major wrong with anything there are so many jobs to be done
I need to save where I can thats why if I can just improve some things until
a later date then I will live with that.
But you are right under normal circumstances thats what I would do.

I tried all sorts to get rid of the damn stuff, I think an electric
plane worked best, but it looked dreadful, and it's difficult and
unpleasant work overhead, so I ended up getting it professionally
plastered, and it looks great. I'm just living with it in a couple of
other rooms until I get a plasterer in. As others have pointed out some
of the old Artex contains asbestos, not sure how lethal the asbestos
type is, but I'd check before considering sanding it, even the electric
plane kicked up a lot of dust. Good luck.



--

bof at bof dot me dot uk

"bof" wrote in message
...
In message , SS
writes

"Phil L" wrote in message
news
SS wrote:
Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the
spikes for now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is
tough going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but
not much better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the
spray not having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a
`softer` looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two
until I can get a pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.

Everything you try will cost more than having it re-plastered.
Just ring someone from your local newspaper to give you a price, it will
probably be less than you expect, about 80 quid


Phil I dont disagree with you but I dont have £80 to spare, I need to get
some outside work done, redecorate complete house, new kitchen and 2 new
bathrooms.Not fogetting cheap laminate flooring to be replaced with
carpets.
Now a lot of the work I will DIY and only what I cant do the pros come in
subject to what budget is left. If it was only a ceiling then no probs,
although nothing major wrong with anything there are so many jobs to be
done
I need to save where I can thats why if I can just improve some things
until
a later date then I will live with that.
But you are right under normal circumstances thats what I would do.

I tried all sorts to get rid of the damn stuff, I think an electric plane
worked best, but it looked dreadful, and it's difficult and unpleasant
work overhead, so I ended up getting it professionally plastered, and it
looks great. I'm just living with it in a couple of other rooms until I
get a plasterer in. As others have pointed out some of the old Artex
contains asbestos, not sure how lethal the asbestos type is, but I'd check
before considering sanding it, even the electric plane kicked up a lot of
dust. Good luck.

I thought of that bot but then moved on as I thought it would screw the
blades and I need the plane for a few doors that are sticking (another
fekcin job that needs doing) and other bits and bobs. Jeeees why was that
stuff so popular at one time!

SS wrote:
"bof" wrote in message
...
In message , SS
writes
"Phil L" wrote in message
news SS wrote:
Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the
spikes for now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is
tough going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but
not much better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the
spray not having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a
`softer` looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two
until I can get a pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.
Everything you try will cost more than having it re-plastered.
Just ring someone from your local newspaper to give you a price, it will
probably be less than you expect, about 80 quid


Phil I dont disagree with you but I dont have £80 to spare, I need to get
some outside work done, redecorate complete house, new kitchen and 2 new
bathrooms.Not fogetting cheap laminate flooring to be replaced with
carpets.
Now a lot of the work I will DIY and only what I cant do the pros come in
subject to what budget is left. If it was only a ceiling then no probs,
although nothing major wrong with anything there are so many jobs to be
done
I need to save where I can thats why if I can just improve some things
until
a later date then I will live with that.
But you are right under normal circumstances thats what I would do.

I tried all sorts to get rid of the damn stuff, I think an electric plane
worked best, but it looked dreadful, and it's difficult and unpleasant
work overhead, so I ended up getting it professionally plastered, and it
looks great. I'm just living with it in a couple of other rooms until I
get a plasterer in. As others have pointed out some of the old Artex
contains asbestos, not sure how lethal the asbestos type is, but I'd check
before considering sanding it, even the electric plane kicked up a lot of
dust. Good luck.

I thought of that bot but then moved on as I thought it would screw the
blades and I need the plane for a few doors that are sticking (another
fekcin job that needs doing) and other bits and bobs. Jeeees why was that
stuff so popular at one time!


It was cheaper and quicker than proper, smooth, plastering. It was also
in fashion, just as woodchip wallpaper was.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.

In message , SS
writes
I thought of that bot but then moved on as I thought it would screw the
blades and I need the plane for a few doors that are sticking (another
fekcin job that needs doing) and other bits and bobs.

I confess I didn't do much with the plane, but it didn't come to any
harm, they seem pretty robust things, the plane has had a run in with
steel vice jaws and come to no harm, though the vice now has an
attractive scalloped appearance


Jeeees why was that
stuff so popular at one time!

One of life's mysteries.




--

bof at bof dot me dot uk

In message , John Williamson
writes
SS wrote:

Jeeees why was that stuff so popular at one time!
It was cheaper and quicker than proper, smooth, plastering. It was also
in fashion, just as woodchip wallpaper was.

Yes, when we moved in I think every room in the house had either
woodchip, Artex or both. At least woodchip comes off easily.


--

bof at bof dot me dot uk

On 04/08/2011 14:54, SS wrote:

I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.

Not necessarily... I have done it with some success.

Knocked off the high bits with the trowel, then gave it a coat of dilute
PVA with a long pile roller. Slapped on a coat of multifinish - spread
nutella style - i.e. thick enough to cover the lumps and roughly flat,
but not worrying about leaving it looking like it had been spread with a
knife. Left that to harden for half an hour. Did a second mix of plaster
(tiny bit thinner than the first), then slapped that over the top and
smoothed it out a bit better. Then waited a bit and smoothed some more,
wait and repeat a few times. Then finally give it a going over with a
few splashes of water to tidy up trowel marks etc.

The result was not too bad. Gave it a coat of paint, then filled any
obvious dings with a light weight filler, before painting properly.

Find yourself a couple of youtube videos on technique and the
consistency of the plaster required.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Thu, 4 Aug 2011 14:54:07 +0100, "SS"
wrote:

Ceiling in hallway with god awful spikey artex, I cant afford a
replaster/skim by a pro so I was looking to at least reduce the spikes for
now before I paint it.
I started to do this trying a metal float and then scrapers but it is tough
going. I then tried to waterspray the artex to soften it but not much
better. The artex I am sure has been gloss painted hence the spray not
having much impact in trying to soften it.

Any ideas on how to reduce the spikes, if I can at least get a `softer`
looking artex then I can live with it for a year or two until I can get a
pro in.
I assume to try and skim this myself is a no no.

I did this job recently in our en-suite bathroom.

First part was to remove as many peaks as possible. Used the Bosch
Multi Tool with a wedge shaped attachment that is designed to remove
tile adhesive. The Multi Tool proved useful in other ways as well (eg
cutting through floorboards/gouging concrete and plaster). Problem you
have is that if you don't have such a tool you will be spending £70 or
so to buy.

After doing this I skimmed the ceiling (from experience I would now
make sure that the plaster mix is very thin) - my initial mistake was
to make the mix too thick and it was an exhausting experience to
spread. Recovered the quality of the finish by sanding down. Again a
task wotrth avoiding.

km