Doing Things Backwards
This image makes me smile. For, what nut begins to paint a ceiling that still requires patching?
That nut would be me.
Sigh.
The ceiling was actually finished and primed over a year ago.
Then I decided to resurrect the gas/electric sconces and had to pull some wires, necessitating punching a hole in the ceiling/wall (the patch to the lower right).
Then I decided NOT to install ceiling fans to each side of the center chandelier (readers threatened me with violence over this idea). So, two more patches.
Then I realized that the chandelier was in the wrong place. I had centered it in the room, discounting the west bay window. After placing the furniture in the room though, and with a round table under the chandelier, it proved difficult to walk into the library as the furniture was too close to the library pocket doors. By shifting the center point via the inclusion of the bay window, the furniture fit much better. So, another ceiling patch. Then another for the new location of the chandelier.
Sigh.
First, I had to fill the holes with sheetrock patches. Then I filled in with…
…Rock Hard Putty. I love this stuff. Mix with water, apply, and it dries VERY quickly and is, really, rock hard.
Then I apply mesh over the patches, and apply multiple coats of joint compound with a 10-inch taping blade. The mesh is plastic window screen which I prefer to fiberglass tape.
I plan to get the damn ceiling painted this weekend.
Pray that I will not require any more patches.
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Plastic mesh that you cut to size , him . . . Great idea. Beats patching several lengths of the fiberglass tape is just what its called, tape, tape wide. Your genius is showing Ross ! !
Bass Ackwards
Praying…
I’d expect nothing less – and that you make it work! Thanks for making me smile 🙂
It wouldn’t be a home restoration (or government work, for that matter) if you didn’t have to do it over again at least twice. 😉
You are refreshing and in spite of failed plans, you persevere and work at it until it is done! “Best laid plans of mice and men……” it will all come together. I think it’s a hoot that you completed your vision for the ceiling while the other 1/2 was patched and unpainted!!???? Haha!
you can buy 3′ wide rolls of fiberglass mesh. for plaster cracks, i’ll apply the mesh with latex tile glue, which then enables me to use drywall nails [through the mesh, once the glue has dried] to reattach the plaster. i’ll then float compound with a 14″ trowel. works like a charm.
Wow! I learned several things here…but what is the advantage of the screen vs the mesh? It makes sense to me, but was wondering why YOU prefer it? We have yet to patch our dining room ceiling, and this may be a better way?
Ross, you need an invisible helper to blame things on, every job needs one. Around our house, we have Darrell. He is a real boob. Just in the past month, he has cracked an original door facing while trying to remove it, broken an antique mirror, lost all of the screws for a 1886 door knob, and cracked a ceramic tile on the dining room fireplace. He also screwed a drywall screw into an electric wire inside the wall, and for a brief but mesmerizing moment, Darrell glowed in the dark. He is also the one who stabbed me in the hand with a utility knife while tearing out carpet. I hate Darrell sometimes, but I can’t do it without him. Now, if he would only run away with my wife until the house is done… 🙂
Perfect! Thanks for the laugh.
😄
Ross…we miss you…everything ok?
Great Blog!! Thanks for sharing its was quite informative. Keep Up the good work!