Best product to repair cracks?

[Com_VC]

Hi,

I have a few cracks in various parts of my house that need repairing before I paint, mostly on the ceiling. I'm just wondering what product I should be using to do this. Someone said to me Cornice cement will work, but i'm not 100% sure?

Thanks

[Rod Dyson]

That is what I use to repair cracks then top coat over the top.. Is it plasterboard cracking or render?

[stevoh741]

sounds like the dreaded mesh tape?

[Com_VC]

Yeah it's plasterboard thats cracking. Should I grind a V in to it to give it more support. I'm pretty new to this, but have a whole house to repair cracks and then repaint.

stevoh741: what do you mean by mesh tape?

[Com_VC]

I just tried a small amount on a piece of scrap gyrock I had laying around. It went on pretty easily. When I put it on should I try to get it as smooth/flat as possible or leave a little bit extra on the top?

How long should I wait before I start sanding it, I assume an electric finishing type sander would be the go? What grit paper should I use?

Thanks

[Master Splinter]

If using cornice cement, try to tool it so that it is a little shallow - you don't really want to be sanding it, as it is not particularly easy sanding...leave the sanding to the top cote. The hand sander with the flywire style carbide mesh is my favourite plaster sanding tool.

[Rod Dyson]

No you dont v out cracks in plasterboard.

The best practice is to scrape out the layer of plaster over the existing tape to about 50mm wide then run a damp sponge over the joint to remove any dust and help the plaster bond. Then re-tape with paper tape, then finish as you would a butt join.

150 grit sand paper is best to use. I have found the mesh tends to leave marks in the work, you will see very very few plasterers using mesh to sand down plasterboard joins.

Cheers Rod

[stevoh741]

easy tape is one of the names for mesh tape - and it is crap IMHO. Follow this link to see what I had to do to repair initial plastering mistakes using mesh tape: http://www.renovateforum.com/f208/not-so-easy-tape-100782/
(not sure how to put links in so hope that one worked).