If you have questions about the Polycell product range or how to get the best out of our fillers and sealants, you can find the answers here.
I’d like to smooth over my textured artexed walls and ceilings – what do you recommend?
Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver is an easy-to-use filler with a self-levelling formula that quickly smooths out textured surfaces. It can be used as a wall treatment or a ceiling treatment—just roll it on, then smooth it off, and it’s ready to paint.
Try using the Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver Tool Set for the best results.
The paint on my skirtings, doorframes and doors is chipped and flaking – how can bring them back to life?
First, you need to sand them down to eliminate the worst of the lumps and bumps. Start your wood sanding with coarse-grade sandpaper, then switch to medium-grade sandpaper. Next, fill in any imperfections using Polycell Polyfilla Woodflex – a stainable wood filler specially formulated to repair holes and splits in wood. Once filled, give the surface a final sanding using fine-grade sandpaper, then wipe clean, and you’re ready to repaint.
How can I disguise where a picture rail used to be?
You’ll probably have holes in the wall where the nails or screws used to be. If that’s the case, and there’s a little plaster repair work to do, try a lightweight filler such as Polycell Advanced Polyfilla. If there’s an indentation where the picture rail used to be, you can use Polycell Ready Mixed Finishing Skim Polyfilla to smooth out the surface.
Do I really need to use brush cleaners? Can’t I just use white spirit?
Polycell Brush Cleaner is an easy way to clean your brushes—no mess, no fuss. It cleans better than generic white spirit as it contains powerful detergents that actually break down the paint—even gloss paint—without leaving any residue behind. Your brushes will be left clean and conditioned with no colour transfer.
What should I do to prepare a wall for painting or wallpapering?
First, assess the wall to see if you need to do any plaster repair. Fill any nicks or dents with Polycell Fine Surface Polyfilla or Polycell Quick Drying Polyfilla. Always use a palette knife to give a nice, smooth finish when working with fillers to get a smooth finish.
If your wall was painted with silk paint previously, wash it with Polycell Decorator’s Cleaner, starting at the top and working down.
If your wall has been newly plastered, seal the surface with Polycell 3 in 1 Basecoat. This will give you a good surface for wallpapering.
If you’re going to paint the wall, make sure you seal any bare and porous surfaces first with a quality sealant like Dulux Plaster Sealer.
Finally, put masking tape around all light switches and other fittings to protect them, and you’re good to go.
I’m stripping wallpaper and it’s pulled off some plaster underneath – what can I do?
For this kind of plaster repair job, you have 2 options. Firstly, you can use Polycell Wallpaper Stripper to release the wallpaper without damaging the plaster further.
Once stripped, you can use Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver for Damaged and Textured Walls to repair any minor nicks in the plaster. This clever wall treatment is specially formulated to fill in gaps in the plaster, leaving you with a smooth surface ready for painting or wallpapering.
Your second option is to apply Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver over the top of the paper. If your wallpaper is well adhered to your wall, you can roll on the Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver using a roller. After 3 to 4 hours, you can apply a second, leaving a perfectly smooth finish on your wall.
We recommend using the Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver Tool Set for the smoothest finish.
Can Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver be used on ceilings?
Yes. Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver works well as a ceiling treatment, giving you a perfectly smooth and crack free ceiling. For the best results, we recommend you use the Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver Tool Set.
What are the ingredients of your wallpaper paste?
All Polycell wallpapering paste is starch-based, for optimum consistency with no lumps. Our Polycell Maximum Strength Wallpaper Adhesive also contains a fungicide to protect against mould growth.
Can Polycell Expanding Foam Polyfilla be used around pipes?
Yes. Polycell Expanding Foam Polyfilla can be used around pipes, including copper pipes. Once applied, it creates a long-lasting seal, which insulates against heat, moisture and sound.
Why do I still have marks after using Polycell Mould Remover?
Polycell Mould Remover contains a powerful fungicide, which makes it great for prepping any mould-prone areas you wish to paint. If the mould has stained the surface, you may still see some marks after treatment. If so, try using Polycell One Coat Stain Stop before you paint the area.
What is the correct ratio for mixing Polycell Plaster Repair Polyfilla Powder?
Polycell Plaster Repair Polyfilla Powder is an easy-mix plaster repair powder that gives you a smooth white finish that won’t slump, shrink or crack.
Add roughly 2 or 2½ parts Polycell Plaster Repair Polyfilla Powder to 1 part water and mix to a smooth paste, then apply with a filling knife, trowel, or float.
The Polycell Sealant Strip hasn’t bonded – what do I do?
If the Polycell Sealant Strip hasn’t bonded, it’s likely because the surface was too damp to adhere to or bits of residue were left on the surface. Before you start again, make sure any old sealant has been completely removed using Polycell Sealant Remover. Then reapply your Polycell Sealant Strip, making sure the surface you’re applying it to is clean, dry and free from moisture or grease.
How can I prevent a patchy finish after using Polycell Multi Purpose Polyfilla?
If you’ve done some plaster repair with fillers, try thinning down your first coat of emulsion before you paint it on.
Sometimes, the moisture in the paint gets absorbed into the filler because it’s more porous than the wall. This can leave a halo effect where the outer edge of the filler shows through the paint. Sanding the plaster and applying another coat of paint – thinned down with 20% water – will help seal the surface and give you a nice, uniform finish.