Sanding poor skim finish

[carlos21]

I have skimmed my ceiling, time got away from me and the finish is poor, i will fill hollows with ready mixed jointing compound, i have started sanding with a palm sander but its a bit slow and has no dust extraction, not sure whether to get an obital or dedicated drywall sander, both would be cheap models, anyone experience of drywall sanders?

Thanks carl

[Mr Punter]

Easifill is a good filler /jointing compound.  Sandpaper to finish.  Some joint compound goes off very hard and is difficult to sand.

[Super_Paulie]

Can't you just skim it again? Put some extra-time in if the hit is too big. Speedskim and sponge float work for me as an amateur skimmer, followed by mist coat then 2 heavy coats of contract. Pole sand that back and its pretty much flawless, just takes time.

 

If you use filler before paint you can never get that to flat back as the consistency is different between the mediums. 

Edited September 23 by Super_Paulie

[Nickfromwales]

Get a plasterer in and end this madness. 
 

Would you really spend good time and money on filler and sanders etc, to still produce a terrible outcome, vs pay a plasterer a half days wages??

 

Lunacy. Sorry!

[RobLe]

As a diy-er I invariably have a go at plastering, thinking this time it will be different!  I can do small patches well, but it takes lots of repeat skims, sometimes sanding and pva, a whole ceiling would take far too long.  I think a pro plasterer is 10x quicker than I am, it’s a job that I would definitely outsource.

[carlos21]

Ye i probably should of got a pro in, but as ever keen to save money, dosent always pan out!! Ive been happy enough with other walls ceilings i have done, this one was raked attic ceiling with bonding to create a curve at the joins, just bit off more than i could chew.

Does the filler bond ok to the painted surface?

The joint compoud i got sands very easly.

I bought a speedskim, very good tool helped a lot( maybe not enough) .

I do enjoy skimming when it goes well, just larger areas i find difficult.

Thanks carl