How to make indoor rendered walls smooth?

[dstanley]

Hi there 👋🏻

We are renovating our apartment and I'm looking to give the walls a bit of a refresh as they are currently quite bumpy and uneven.

I'm not sure of the material or finish of the walls but they are solid (not drywall) and I would guess painted cement render or lime render? The existing paint appears to have been applied directly to the cement/render and is not plastered.

Any suggestions for how to smooth the walls before painting? Hoping it won't be a full plaster job!

I've attached some photos of the wall showing unevenness and scraped away some of the existing paint to expose the render. (We are removing the wall I have scraped the paint off so no need to patch up).

Thanks in advance.

Daniel

 

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Sassa,

The majority of this discussion is about how to smooth a rendered wall, whereas your situation sounds more like you have damaged sections of render that need to be repaired. If you can show us some images of the areas we'd be more than happy to advise on how to repair it.

If you also want a smooth surface rather than a stippled one for the whole wall we can also discuss that.

In the interim, here's a helpful guide: How to repair a rendered wall.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Sassa]

Thanks Mitchell. I had previously had a look at the guide to repairing a rendered wall, but was pretty disappointed when I tested out the Polyfilla Exterior Brick & Render that was recommended. I took a tiny test piece to see how it would dry, and after 4 days in Perth summer it was still soft and malleable. So interested to hear what other products could be used, if I should just try normal render or if there are better repair products

[EricL]

Hello @Sassa 

If it is just a small area, I propose looking at Parfix 500g Ready To Use Multipurpose Filler - 500g. But for larger areas I suggest using Dunlop 20kg Multipurpose Acrylic Render. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Sassa]

Thanks Eric. The Parfix filler has similar reviews to the Polyfilla Brick & Render, with people complaining that it doesn't harden properly. Getting a 20kg bag would definitely be overkill, do you think the Dunlop 5kg Ardit Rapidset Repair Mortar could maybe also work?

[EricL]

Hello @Sassa 

Yes, the Dunlop 5kg Ardit Rapidset Repair Mortar will work. Please keep in mind that you only have a specific amount of time to work with the mortar. You'll need to work diligently to get that proper finish.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric