Interior filler conundrum

[cedrich]

Hi

Used afair amount of ready mixed filler to make good after removing a wooden batten ceiling light today. Had to use a fair amount and then waited a good 4 hours before sanding.

Noticed that some of the filler discoloured and went a bit soft after some not too vigourous sanding. Is this normal? Will it dry again if I leave it overnight?

Ta for your help

cedrich

 

[joe-90]

Ready mixed filler dries by evaporation which is why it's not much good when you apply it thick. You are better off with a dry (to be mixed) filler really. It might take a few days until it really dries out.

 

[cedrich]

Thanks

Will buy dry mix in future then

 

[crj]

In my experience it's always better to go with mix yourself as the ready mix is a mother to sand in comparison. I have had the same effect with both though. As Joe said, sometimes it can just take a bit longer than you expect to dry out. It's not just thickness but the surface it's bonding to and the local atmosphere that will affect it.

I always try to build up areas that need a lot of filler in layers as say 5 thin layers will dry out quicker than doing it all at once.

 

[spice]

I always try to build up areas that need a lot of filler in layers as say 5 thin layers will dry out quicker than doing it all at once.

Thats how I would do it, build it up, and there is less chance of it cracking, get rid of the readymade stuff, its a nightmare to sand, and doesnt really do the job properly, it should be banned, along with silk paint.