Guidance on tackling this

[LarryTheDecorator]

I'm going to tackle this lovely ceiling next week and would like guidance on what to do (already noted tea and biccies), it's an upstairs hallway in a 'T' type to the stairs. Top hallway is about 5m x 1m, the stairs about 6m x 1m.

I'm moving the light to the stairs adding some kind of chandelier making it look really lovely..

The artex just stippled so I'm planning on just a skim coat

The issue I'm going to have is above the stairs, I've got a 3m transformer type ladder that does all kinds of positions, but don't have another ladder nor any boards to get to that height, and wondered if you have any creative solutions that can help?

 

[paulf]

Unless you can levitate a ladder and batten would be the cheap option. You can hire staging for stairs its not expensive. Larry that pattern is rich for stipple give it a good scrape and put a bit of pva on it. Its a tricky wee space that good luck larry.
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[Tinytom]

Smaller are not always easier Larry, as above get some pva on there, weak first then strong almost neat. Skim when dry/tacky

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

Thanks Paul, at one point I was thinking of napalm but thought better of it as I'd probably get told off by the Missus.

I've discovered I have quite a talent getting that awful stuff off, a real sharp chisel in one hand, and a cuppa in the other!

Unless you can levitate a ladder and batten would be the cheap option. You can hire staging for stairs its not expensive. Larry that pattern is rich for stipple give it a good scrape and put a bit of pva on it. Its a tricky wee space that good luck larry.
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[LarryTheDecorator]

Gonna pva tomorrow, wondering how much I'll get on the dog and at what point I'm going to get whinged at.... I'm gonna pull off that loft hatch surround as it's older than me

Smaller are not always easier Larry, as above get some pva on there, weak first then strong almost neat. Skim when dry/tacky

 

[Tinytom]

Gonna pva tomorrow, wondering how much I'll get on the dog and at what point I'm going to get whinged at.... I'm gonna pull off that loft hatch surround as it's older than me

Good man. Mix your first coat 50/50 with bonding it’s lovely to spread and it’ll give you plenty of time, let it pull right in before second coat. Don’t over work it

 

[ChrispyUK]

Gonna pva tomorrow, wondering how much I'll get on the dog and at what point I'm going to get whinged at.... I'm gonna pull off that loft hatch surround as it's older than me

Have you finished the other rooms Larry?

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

I usually get in a hot bother when @lurpak spreads...

I've noticed the new multi packets, what are they like for this weather? During the summer I had nothing but problems - one moment it's wet, the next it's as hard as a rock!

Good man. Mix your first coat 50/50 with bonding it’s lovely to spread and it’ll give you plenty of time, let it pull right in before second coat. Don’t over work it

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

Bathroom is currently being tiled thanks for asking! Been getting ready to whack in a new bath I got for £25 in a B&Q sale whoohoo!

Once it's complete I'll whack a photo up, it's looking real good

Have you finished the other rooms Larry?

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

Quick question, how does the bonding mix re***d the multi mix, I've been reading about it and don't understand as they are both of an alkaline solution?

Good man. Mix your first coat 50/50 with bonding it’s lovely to spread and it’ll give you plenty of time, let it pull right in before second coat. Don’t over work it

 

[ChrispyUK]

Quick question, how does the bonding mix re***d the multi mix, I've been reading about it and don't understand as they are both of an alkaline solution?

E=mc2

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

E=mc2

 

[paulf]

Quick question, how does the bonding mix re***d the multi mix, I've been reading about it and don't understand as they are both of an alkaline solution?

Bonding sets slower than finish, thats the very simple beer answer.

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

I didn't know that! Simple answers are the best - thankyou!

Bonding sets slower than finish, thats the very simple beer answer.

 

[Tinytom]

@LarryTheLag don’t read too much into it, bang it on, get it flat, then leave until it’s ready

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

That's one of my many problems - I fiddle way too much

@LarryTheLag don’t read too much into it, bang it on, get it flat, then leave until it’s ready

 

[Tinytom]

That's one of my many problems - I fiddle way too much

Don’t we all

 

[lurpak]

As above mate, I'd pva day before though as if it's wet in areas it might cause you a headache sliding about

Scrape artex befoe pva

 

[paulf]

I didn't know that! Simple answers are the best - thankyou!

The finish in the mix makes it less course than bonding alone, easier to flatten and it will go off slower but quick enough to take a finish coat

 

[paulf]

You can do a 50/50 coat and flatten out and leave it if you feel you cant get round it quick enough. Just pva it to kill the suction and skim it at your leisure.

 

[lurpak]

You can do a 50/50 coat and flatten out and leave it if you feel you cant get round it quick enough. Just pva it to kill the suction and skim it at your leisure.

That’s a good idea for a beginner

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

Will do, I need to clear the landing too, don't fancy tripping over dog toys nor my old man comfy slippers

As above mate, I'd pva day before though as if it's wet in areas it might cause you a headache sliding about

Scrape artex befoe pva

 

[JessThePlasterer]

Have I got a mate with another set of ladders? If so put a set one way and one the other with a plank in between!

 

[ChrispyUK]

Have I got a mate with another set of ladders? If so put a set one way and one the other with a plank in between!

@gps

 

[gps]

@gps

Am I the mate or the plank @Chrispy lol

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

Being dumb, what thickness plank should I be looking for? I'm wondering get a few from wickes and take them back next day

Have I got a mate with another set of ladders? If so put a set one way and one the other with a plank in between!

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

I've got selco pva, the last wall I did I put the infamous 6 coats of pva on, noticed whilst the plaster went on like whipped cream, one moment it was great, the next minute it had set like medusa had seen it, was not happy, I was expecting it to gently set!

You can do a 50/50 coat and flatten out and leave it if you feel you cant get round it quick enough. Just pva it to kill the suction and skim it at your leisure.

 

[chris hollidge]

Being dumb, what thickness plank should I be looking for? I'm wondering get a few from wickes and take them back next day

You're safer using a scaffold plank, which is about 50mm thick. They usually get dirty so they might rumble you if you try borrowing one from Wickes! Any span over 10', I usually double up as you get less flex. Good luck and take your time.

 

[ChrispyUK]

Am I the mate or the plank @Chrispy lol

Good question. I can't remember which one you were at the time

 

[LarryTheDecorator]

Our wickes are thick as anything, it's frightening...

I'll be wearing clean pants - luck is on my side

You're safer using a scaffold plank, which is about 50mm thick. They usually get dirty so they might rumble you if you try borrowing one from Wickes! Any span over 10', I usually double up as you get less flex. Good luck and take your time.