Refinishing plaster

[plastic_peanut]

Hope you can help. I am not overly taken with the surface of the plastered walls in a number of locations of our house. We have painted walls and would like to achieve a nice smooth finish.
I am hoping I can use my orbital sander to sand the walls but I am not sure what grade to use. I am also hesitant as I am unsure what has caused these issues in the first place.

1) circular raised areas of plaster. Like poker dots
2) vertical scarring
3) horizontal lines

Similar effects are found around the house so aren’t specific to one room.

Any suggestions on the causes please and is sanding the best approach?

Thank

 

[23vc]

Think you’re fighting a losing and dusty battle trying to sand it, particularly if it’s got those tiger stripes/cellulite type areas. I’d seriously consider getting it skimmed. Although this is the plastering forum so we would say that, might be worth asking decorators.

 

[plastic_peanut]

Thank you, was just in the throes of putting a thread in there.

 

[martin hill]

PP using a sander a very messy job and dusty too. A normal diy sander way too small and you will end up making grooves. The small bits you want to sand out be ok with a hand block and a 240 to 400 grit paper. I've do it in some rooms making good channelling out for cables etc. You can get a thick 1 metre wide lining paper and paint that. But i'd go for a skim coat.

 

[plastic_peanut]

Thanks Martin, appreciate your suggestions

 

[martin hill]

Here's that lining paper. https://www.screwfix.com/p/erfurt-wallrock-fibreliner-wallpaper-white-1000mm-x-20m/1506p