How to repair cornices?

Question

Can someone please direct me to what fillers and/ or repair products on how we can fix this please? Haven’t fixed anything like this before.

The cornice doesn’t feel loose or wobbly.

Thanks in advance

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Jills,

The

https://www.bunnings.com.au/csr-420gm-gyprock-diy-one-patch-filler_p0633039

that Mitchell linked to will work perfectly fine in this situation. It comes premixed and has a small spatula included for application purposes. Rapid patch would also work and is a very similar product in terms of the compound, but you would need to mix it with water yourself. Of the two, I'd go with the One Patch.

The metal you can see is an external angle plaster trim like this

https://www.bunnings.com.au/siniat-30-x-2400mm-90-external-angle-plaster-trim_p0730701

. They are made to work with plaster compounds, so there is no issue with compatibility there. You can see them being plastered in

https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/walls/how-to-attach-and-plaster-an-external-angle

.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Jills · Answer

Hi Mitchell

Thanks for the prompt reply. I just need to double check, your link directs me to CSR 420gm Gyprock DIY One Patch Filler but you mentioned Rapid patch which when I googled is a different item.

May I please confirm which one you mean?

Also I’m not sure if you noticed there seem to be some metal part showing so I need something that would be good for that please.

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @Jills,

It looks like there has been some movement between the decorative cornice and the wall, which has opened the joint and cracked the surrounding plaster. Before repairing it, I'd first check whether the cornice itself feels loose. If it moves when gently pressed, it will need to be secured before filling the cracks, otherwise they're likely to reappear.

If everything is secure, scrape away any loose or flaking material around the damaged areas. For the deeper sections, I'd use a plaster-based repair product such as Gyprock CSR Rapid Patch, building it up in a couple of applications if necessary. Once dry, sand it smooth.

For the long joint between the cornice and wall, I'd use a flexible, paintable gap filler rather than a rigid plaster filler. This will accommodate a small amount of movement between the two surfaces. You can then prime any exposed plaster and repaint the area.

The decorative cornice might make achieving a neat finish a little fiddly, but the damage itself looks quite repairable.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell