Red Devil onetime filler - why did I not find this before...

[Tim Watts]

Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
had mentioned it before.

It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.

Didn't even drop any on the floor.



So that's my tip for the day :)

[The Medway Handyman]

Been using that for years, it's been mentioned on here before.

I agree, bloody marvelous stuff, I don't use anything else.

I once filled a 2"deep hole in a ceiling in one go!


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

[stuart noble]

On 11/04/2015 16:47, Tim Watts wrote:

Microspheres. I have to say the TS own label version I used was anything
but creamy, and actually pretty useless. The tubs of pre-mixed patching
plaster work in the same way IIRC

[Andy Burns]

stuart noble wrote:

> Tim Watts wrote:
>
>> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat
>

> Microspheres. I have to say the TS own label version I used was anything
> but creamy, and actually pretty useless.

I've used the Sika/EverBuild version from TS and it was fine, the tub
felt empty before I started using it, are those spheres full of helium? :-P

[Tim Watts]

On 11/04/15 17:21, The Medway Handyman wrote:
> On 11/04/2015 16:47, Tim Watts wrote:
>> Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
>> had mentioned it before.
>>
>> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
>> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
>> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
>> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.
>>
>> Didn't even drop any on the floor.
>>
>>
>>
>> So that's my tip for the day :)
>
> Been using that for years, it's been mentioned on here before.

I must have missed that -

>
> I agree, bloody marvelous stuff, I don't use anything else.
>
> I once filled a 2"deep hole in a ceiling in one go!

Make you wonder why Polyfilla still exists. Red Devil cost me all of £7
odd for a litre tub...

[Tim Watts]

On 11/04/15 18:53, stuart noble wrote:
> On 11/04/2015 16:47, Tim Watts wrote:
>> Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
>> had mentioned it before.
>>
>> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
>> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
>> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
>> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.
>>
>> Didn't even drop any on the floor.
>>
>>
>>
>> So that's my tip for the day :)
>
> Microspheres. I have to say the TS own label version I used was anything
> but creamy,

Hmm. This came from TS but is the genuine label.

All the others I've had, from Wickes own to Polyfilla all seem to dry
and crumbly or they shrink badly on drying.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <o8snvb-...@squidward.dionic.net>,

Any good for fixing cracks between plasterboard sheets, though? Only thing
I've found that works is a good decorator's caulk - but it shrinks so
needs several applications.

What i need is something that grips well, is flexible, and doesn't shrink.

--
*Why do the two "sanction"s (noun and verb) mean opposites?*

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[Tim Watts]

On 12/04/15 00:36, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article <o8snvb-...@squidward.dionic.net>,
> Tim Watts <tw_u...@dionic.net> wrote:
>> Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
>> had mentioned it before.
>
>> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
>> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
>> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
>> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.
>
>> Didn't even drop any on the floor.
>
>
>
> Any good for fixing cracks between plasterboard sheets, though? Only thing
> I've found that works is a good decorator's caulk - but it shrinks so
> needs several applications.
>
> What i need is something that grips well, is flexible, and doesn't shrink.
>

Epo

[stuart noble]

A 10 kg bag of joint filler or Artex powder costs £14. Usually I don't
need a filler to be lightweight or fast setting.

[Roger Mills]

On 12/04/2015 00:36, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article<o8snvb-...@squidward.dionic.net>,
> Tim Watts<tw_u...@dionic.net> wrote:
>> Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
>> had mentioned it before.
>
>> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
>> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
>> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
>> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.
>
>> Didn't even drop any on the floor.
>
>
>
> Any good for fixing cracks between plasterboard sheets, though? Only thing
> I've found that works is a good decorator's caulk - but it shrinks so
> needs several applications.
>
> What i need is something that grips well, is flexible, and doesn't shrink.
>

Yes, I'd be interested to know that, too. I've got cracks in some of my
ceilings which are difficult to fill by any means currently known to me!

Also, what is its shelf life, once opened? If I use a bit now and then
come to use some more in a year's time, am I going to find a solid mass
in the tub?
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

[Dennis@home]

On 12/04/2015 10:20, stuart noble wrote:

> A 10 kg bag of joint filler or Artex powder costs £14. Usually I don't
> need a filler to be lightweight or fast setting.

No but the stuff with microspheres doesn't shrink when it sets like the
stuff you use.

Acrylic caulking is better for suff that moves a bit, it is flexible
like silicone but can be painted.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <coutha...@mid.individual.net>,

Roger Mills <watt....@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I've found that works is a good decorator's caulk - but it shrinks so
> > needs several applications.
> >
> > What i need is something that grips well, is flexible, and doesn't
> > shrink.
> >

> Yes, I'd be interested to know that, too. I've got cracks in some of my
> ceilings which are difficult to fill by any means currently known to me!

Decorator's caulk does do the job. But needs perhaps 5 or 6 applications,
so allow plenty time for this before painting. But it does last better
than anything else I've tried. Did my problem ceiling some three years
ago, and it's still fine. All the other fillers I've tried lasted weeks
before the cracks appeared again.

--
*America is so advanced that even the chairs are electric.

[The Medway Handyman]

On 12/04/2015 10:53, Roger Mills wrote:
> On 12/04/2015 00:36, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
>> In article<o8snvb-...@squidward.dionic.net>,
>> Tim Watts<tw_u...@dionic.net> wrote:
>>> Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
>>> had mentioned it before.
>>
>>> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
>>> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
>>> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
>>> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.
>>
>>> Didn't even drop any on the floor.
>>
>>
>>
>> Any good for fixing cracks between plasterboard sheets, though? Only
>> thing
>> I've found that works is a good decorator's caulk - but it shrinks so
>> needs several applications.
>>
>> What i need is something that grips well, is flexible, and doesn't
>> shrink.
>>
>
> Yes, I'd be interested to know that, too. I've got cracks in some of my
> ceilings which are difficult to fill by any means currently known to me!

It doesn't shrink like other fillers, but would be susceptible to
movement cracking.

>
> Also, what is its shelf life, once opened? If I use a bit now and then
> come to use some more in a year's time, am I going to find a solid mass
> in the tub?

It dries out a bit, but the addition of a few drops of water sorts that out.

[Adam Aglionby]

everbuild caulk once, does wot it says on tube, really low shrinkage

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adhesives+%26+Sealants/d180/Caulks/sd3318/Caulk+Once+310ml/p91862

[Roger Mills]

Thanks. But what's the max time it takes you to get through a tub? If
you're using it frequently, it would almost certainly take me longer!

[stuart noble]

On 12/04/2015 11:12, Dennis@home wrote:
> On 12/04/2015 10:20, stuart noble wrote:
>
>> A 10 kg bag of joint filler or Artex powder costs £14. Usually I don't
>> need a filler to be lightweight or fast setting.
>
> No but the stuff with microspheres doesn't shrink when it sets like the
> stuff you use.
>

I'm a great fan of lightweight products but I don't see why they would
shrink any more or less than, say, Gyproc joint filler

[Dennis@home]

The balls don't shrink at all and they make up most of the bulk.

[The Medway Handyman]

On 12/04/2015 15:27, Roger Mills wrote:
> On 12/04/2015 12:29, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>> On 12/04/2015 10:53, Roger Mills wrote:
>
>>> Also, what is its shelf life, once opened? If I use a bit now and then
>>> come to use some more in a year's time, am I going to find a solid mass
>>> in the tub?
>>
>> It dries out a bit, but the addition of a few drops of water sorts that
>> out.
>>
>
> Thanks. But what's the max time it takes you to get through a tub? If
> you're using it frequently, it would almost certainly take me longer!

I tend to buy the 1 litre tubs cos they are cheaper. I use one every
two/three months.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <AGsWw.124947$qW.7...@fx20.am4>,

The Medway Handyman <davi...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> > Yes, I'd be interested to know that, too. I've got cracks in some of
> > my ceilings which are difficult to fill by any means currently known
> > to me!

> It doesn't shrink like other fillers, but would be susceptible to
> movement cracking.

Which is generally why there are cracks in a ceiling in the first place.
;-)

--
*There are two sides to every divorce: Yours and shit head's*

[stuart noble]

On 12/04/2015 18:34, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article <AGsWw.124947$qW.7...@fx20.am4>,
> The Medway Handyman <davi...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>>> Yes, I'd be interested to know that, too. I've got cracks in some of
>>> my ceilings which are difficult to fill by any means currently known
>>> to me!
>
>> It doesn't shrink like other fillers, but would be susceptible to
>> movement cracking.
>
> Which is generally why there are cracks in a ceiling in the first place.
> ;-)
>

The idea that a filler won't crack regardless of the surface it's being
applied to is faintly ridiculous. Something that dries flexible, like
silicone or caulk, will obviously accommodate movement but can't be
sanded or matched to any non-flexible surface like wood or plaster

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <c%JWw.337890$Ek.1...@fx07.am4>,

Eh? Most would paint a plaster ceiling. And I can assure you caulk does
give an invisible repair, under paint. Just takes longer than I'd ideally
like to do properly. You don't sand it - just use a decent filler 'knife'
like a Fugenboy.

--
*When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say? *

[Roger Mills]

Ta. My fear is is that I would leave it for a year or two - and then
find that it had set solid!

[PeterC]

On Mon, 13 Apr 2015 14:03:02 +0100, Roger Mills wrote:

> On 12/04/2015 17:41, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>> On 12/04/2015 15:27, Roger Mills wrote:
>>> On 12/04/2015 12:29, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>>>> On 12/04/2015 10:53, Roger Mills wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Also, what is its shelf life, once opened? If I use a bit now and then
>>>>> come to use some more in a year's time, am I going to find a solid mass
>>>>> in the tub?
>>>>
>>>> It dries out a bit, but the addition of a few drops of water sorts that
>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks. But what's the max time it takes you to get through a tub? If
>>> you're using it frequently, it would almost certainly take me longer!
>>
>> I tend to buy the 1 litre tubs cos they are cheaper. I use one every
>> two/three months.
>>
>
> Ta. My fear is is that I would leave it for a year or two - and then
> find that it had set solid!

I've had a tub of Wickes' lightweight filler for a couple of years at least
and it's still useable, but I don't know how it compares to Red Devil.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

[Mathew Newton]

On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 4:47:09 PM UTC+1, Tim Watts wrote:

> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.

And it really is lightweight so ideal where gravity is working against you.

In fact, it is so light I recall picking up my first ever tub and thinking it was empty!

Mathew

[Tim Watts]

It's funny stuff - like expanded polystyrene in whipped cream format!

Used some more yesterday and painted straight over an hour later.

It's the first filler where the knife has rendered it dead flat and
flush, with no overspill to wiper or sand off and when painted it
remained flat.

[The Natural Philosopher]

you can redissolve it in water..


--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. – Erwin Knoll

[The Medway Handyman]

On 13/04/2015 14:03, Roger Mills wrote:
> On 12/04/2015 17:41, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>> On 12/04/2015 15:27, Roger Mills wrote:
>>> On 12/04/2015 12:29, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>>>> On 12/04/2015 10:53, Roger Mills wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Also, what is its shelf life, once opened? If I use a bit now and then
>>>>> come to use some more in a year's time, am I going to find a solid
>>>>> mass
>>>>> in the tub?
>>>>
>>>> It dries out a bit, but the addition of a few drops of water sorts that
>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks. But what's the max time it takes you to get through a tub? If
>>> you're using it frequently, it would almost certainly take me longer!
>>
>> I tend to buy the 1 litre tubs cos they are cheaper. I use one every
>> two/three months.
>>
>
> Ta. My fear is is that I would leave it for a year or two - and then
> find that it had set solid!

I gave some to my daughter and she had it for about 9 months.

[stuart noble]

On 13/04/2015 14:03, Roger Mills wrote:
> On 12/04/2015 17:41, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>> On 12/04/2015 15:27, Roger Mills wrote:
>>> On 12/04/2015 12:29, The Medway Handyman wrote:
>>>> On 12/04/2015 10:53, Roger Mills wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Also, what is its shelf life, once opened? If I use a bit now and then
>>>>> come to use some more in a year's time, am I going to find a solid
>>>>> mass
>>>>> in the tub?
>>>>
>>>> It dries out a bit, but the addition of a few drops of water sorts that
>>>> out.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks. But what's the max time it takes you to get through a tub? If
>>> you're using it frequently, it would almost certainly take me longer!
>>
>> I tend to buy the 1 litre tubs cos they are cheaper. I use one every
>> two/three months.
>>
>
> Ta. My fear is is that I would leave it for a year or two - and then
> find that it had set solid!

If you fill the gap between the filler and the lid with screwed up
plastic bags, it stops it drying out

[no_...@thanks.com]

On 11/04/2015 15:47, Tim Watts wrote:
> Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
> had mentioned it before.
>

> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.
>

> Didn't even drop any on the floor.
>
>
>

> So that's my tip for the day :)

When I last looked at this I was worried that the finished surface was
too soft to take even the slightest knock - has it changed?

[Tim Watts]

It takes a while to harden, that's for sure - but seems to accept paint
quite quickly.

To answer your question, I have just poked some (unpainted, 10mm holes
filled).

It seems elastic - it had some give but sprung back.

[stuart noble]

Bubble wrap in a tub

[GB]

On 13/04/2015 19:34, The Medway Handyman wrote:

> I gave some to my daughter and she had it for about 9 months.
>

And then she gave birth?

[Lobster]

On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 4:47:09 PM UTC+1, Tim Watts wrote:
> Needed some filler to make good around some light switches and a mate
> had mentioned it before.
>
> It knocks Polyfilla into a cocked hat - this stuff is creamy and very
> easy to work with - I had to put in a fillet 1x1cm the length of the
> backbox side and despite the bulk, it goes in, stays in and allows to to
> smooth it to perfection with a knife with no cleanup or sanding needed.

After reading the glowing reports of this stuff here, I'm going to give it a go; on a concrete windowsill (exterior) which needs some filling before painting.

Question: should I pre-treat the rather crappy, powdery substrate with PVA solution before applying it, as I would with plaster or sand/cement? If so, would I apply the Red Devil while the substrate's still damp or let it dry out first?

Thanks

--
David

[stuart noble]

I'd always use a 2 part filler for that sort of thing

> http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p17703

[newshound]

I guess that is similar to "car body filler", I tend to get mine from
eBay. From the ease of sanding, I assume that "car body filler" has a
fairly high content of microspheres.

[stuart noble]

Yes, a basic polyester resin. The TS version is not an easy sand type
and seems higher in resin content. Actually not the ideal consistency
for a filler but cheap compared to Halfords!