FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

fixing hairline cracks in plaster

IdahoDon | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 9, 2008 05:11am

I’ve always taped them and simply floated the area with mud, but that is a lot of floating.  In the back of my mind I keep thinking there must be a thin mesh or fabric that can be applied with a brush on substance that will keep a hairline crack from resurfacing, but require minimal work to smooth out.

Has anyone had good luck with the high $$ mesh products that are made for this?

For these situations (hairline cracks in otherwise flat walls and ceilings) I’ve wondered if tape can be attached to the already flat surface with something more high tech than mud to keep the thickness to a minimum. 

Any other products that actually work?

 

Beer was created so carpenters wouldn’t rule the world.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. alwaysoverbudget | Oct 09, 2008 05:46am | #1

    i swear i'm going to invent a paper tape,with thin fiberglass mat on one side. almost like the packing tape you see,just to patch plaster cracks.

    no matter what i try i have a 50/50 chance of success.

    you know,maybe i should try packing tape,ever tried to tear the stuff,no way.couldn't be anymore than a 50% failure rate.

    if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?

    1. User avater
      IMERC | Oct 09, 2008 05:53am | #2

      saw that done with mudded over duct tape... 

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

      WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  2. User avater
    BillHartmann | Oct 09, 2008 07:13am | #3

    I have seen an aersol product at Lowes that is suppose to be thin elastameric that covers fine cracks.

    I have not used it.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
  3. dovetail97128 | Oct 09, 2008 08:34am | #4

    Real Plaster?

    Fix it with real plaster.

    Gently Scrape out the crack, blow it clean with compressed air and then wet it and scrub the area with a toothbrush.
    Blow out again, then using a regular plaster mix use the tooth brush to force plaster into the crak, wipe the excess off each side of the crack. Let the new plaster set until almost hard then using care and a small damp rag wipe the surface of the crack down.

    Cracks need to be damp , but not wet when the new plaster is forced into them.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
    1. pgproject | Oct 09, 2008 09:29am | #5

      "goodbye cracks" by the same people that make goof-off.http://ACE.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE-1124786dt.jpg

      Edited 10/9/2008 2:57 am ET by PGproject

      1. woodarama | Oct 09, 2008 02:12pm | #6

        that would be good for plumbers butt.

      2. User avater
        BillHartmann | Oct 09, 2008 04:34pm | #8

        That is the stuff that I saw at Lowes.Have you used it?.
        .
        A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

        1. pgproject | Oct 09, 2008 07:33pm | #9

          Yes- seems to work, but the directions still say to "repair the crack as usual" before applying. Also, it's expensive for large areas, and if you spray a lot of it (on ceilings, especially), as I did recently, the overspray is a problem.I used it a couple of recurring cracks that have not reappeared since.I wonder about using "Red Gard" (brush-on elastomeric), but I think it would be difficult to get a smooth finish. What about using a thick coat of exterior elastomeric paint?Bill

          Edited 10/9/2008 12:35 pm ET by PGproject

  4. Jer | Oct 09, 2008 02:27pm | #7

    I've done quite a bit of plastering in the past, although I don't do as much now.
    I once faced an entire mid 19th century farmhouse to replaster & mostly skim that had nothing but cracks...a million of 'em.
    I had used the fiber mesh that comes in 3 & 4' roles before, and it works fine, but for this project would have cost a small fortune.

    Instead I went down to the garden store and experimented with the gray ground mesh that you lay down in small flower & vegetable gardens. It was plenteous & cheap. I applied it with Plasterweld and a roller, which is a bonding agent for plaster. The mesh is very strong and provides good tooth for the skim. I lightly rolled on the weld after the mesh was up & dried (couple of hours, then went to work skimming.

    That was 7 years ago and the house is totally crack-free.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A New Approach to Foundations

Discover a concrete-free foundation option that doesn't require any digging.

Featured Video

SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before

The 10-in. Jobsite Saw PRO has a wider table, a new dust-control port, and a more versatile fence, along with the same reliable safety mechanism included in all SawStop tablesaws.

Related Stories

  • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • An Impressive Air-to-Water Heat Pump

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data