We can't afford to have sheet rock work done right now and I have ugly alligator looking heavily textured sheet rock walls. Has anyone tired to use a sander and sanded on ugly textured walls and how did it look? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
2007-02-06 04:07:27 · 6 answers · asked by anjoek5859 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
You cannot simply sand something smooth that is already painted. I think car dude is right on the money with this. I don't think it is texture at all, but a poorly executed paint job due to the reasons he gave you. Your solution is to purchase some joint compound and "float" the walls smooth again. That is applying the compound to fill in the cracks. It isn't hard to do and a web search or trip to the hardware store will give you the particulars on how to do it. After you finish you can light sand if needed, prime and repaint. You can prime with latex primer or flat wall paint and topcoat with flat, satin or semi-gloss. Look for sales on paint so you can get a quality brand. No need to rip out or put up new drywall.
In addition to the joint compound you will need a mud pan and a broad knife. Your hardware store salesman will know what these are. I have done this many times, this is something you can do yourself and it will not cost a lot. A five gallon bucket of compound is $12.00, a pan and broad knife (cheap but usable) under $20.00. A good set of stainless steel will be more but if you have to do the whole house it is worth it. They do not rust.
2007-02-09 08:09:58 · answer #1 · answered by nostromobb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a sanding block with a heavy grit first, then go up with the grit. Don't try and use a sander. It may get away from you. You can find a sanding block just about anywhere. It will depend on how much paint is covering the sheetrock mud. Good luck!
2007-02-06 04:10:48 · answer #2 · answered by Cory G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sand the wall, but you will have to add another texture to it. I did a sand texture that looked great by mixing sand & water with the mud and putting a light coating on the wall.
2007-02-06 04:11:45 · answer #3 · answered by CYNTHIA J 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the alligatoring can be caused by too many coats of paint, and or, poor surface preparation between older coats of paint. a word of caution about sanding the walls, you may have lead paint, found in houses built before 1978, on your walls. if you have young children living in the house, this can be a major health issue and could end up costing you even bigger bucks to clean up the lead contamination. the US EPA has booklets and a 1-800-424-LEAD info line. good luck, and proceed with caution.
2007-02-06 04:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
do a search on "scrape ceilings" I am attaching one link for instructions.
2007-02-06 04:11:11 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get it wet and scratch at it.
2007-02-06 04:10:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋