Planex sanding too aggressively on level 5 ceiling

[mbira]

Hi folks,
I'm doing a level 5 on a home renovation. Removed a popcorn ceiling and sanded down a lot of the texture on the walls, primed with pro-999 and I've done two skim coats.

I just bought the new Planex and so I'm really new to the machine. It's working great on the walls (at least as great as I need it to be), but when I switch to the ceiling and I put the suction on full blast so the head sticks to the ceiling, the mud sands down way too quickly. If I bring the suction down to the wall setting then I can use it on the ceiling but it obviously takes a lot more work. I'm using 220 grit paper, and I'm moving pretty fast. I also brought the power down on the sander to around 2-3.

I have three more rooms to do, (just removing texture and skim coating-no taping) and so I want to get better results next time. I'm using the UGS Ultra Lightweight. I have seen a lot of people prefer the Plus3.

 

[Cheese]

Did you consider Granat Soft paper? It's made to use on softer fillers, specifically for Level 4/5 surfaces.
https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...5-soft/204226---stf-d225-p240-gr-s25#Overview

Here's what the Tool Nirvana website has to say about it. You can order smaller quantities of abrasives from Nirvana.  [smile]

The GRANAT Soft abrasive for the two PLANEX LHS 225 and PLANEX easy long-reach sanders has a diameter of 225 mm. This represents a numerical sanding area of around 400 square centimetres. But, of course, it’s not just the pure numbers that produce the sanding experience and result. Especially when it comes to achieving the highest surface finishes on walls and ceilings with full-surface filling. The GRANAT Soft is perfect for such cases. It sits on a thin, soft foam base and adapts perfectly to the substrate. The GRANAT Soft thus guarantees uniform removal over the entire sanding surface, right up to the edges, and ensures a fine finish without grooves. Even on extremely soft ready-mixed fillers. The abrasive is available in grits P80 to P400. The hole pattern aids extraction and – in the case of the PLANEX LHS 225 – the vacuum function.

 

[mbira]

Did you consider Granat Soft paper? It's made to use on softer fillers, specifically for Level 4/5 surfaces.
https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...5-soft/204226---stf-d225-p240-gr-s25#Overview

Thanks.  Great to know I can get smaller quantities at Nirvana.  Interesting that in the description it doesn't say it's compatible with the LHS 2 225 where the granat that I'm using does.  The new machine looks like it has a different hole configuration. https://www.festoolusa.com/accessor...at/granat-d225/205662---stf-d225128-p220-gr25

I'm wondering if some of these new interface pads are supposed to do the equivalent of the granat soft.  I'm frustrated because I just called festool.  It used to be that you could call and you'd get someone on the phone.  Now I sat on hold for 15 minutes and then was transferred to a voicemail to leave a message.

 

[mbira]

Just got off the excellent support at Nirvana.  They pointed me to the new interface pad and that is what you use on the new Planex instead of the granat soft.  It's recommended to use the pad and the granat net.  I ordered that stuff and we'll see how it turns out.

 

[Ron B]

Glad you found Nirvana Tool. Chip at Nirvana is excellent.  Never been to the store, but I have bought a lot online from them and can highly recommend them. 

 

[Ebuwan]

I also have the harness, which makes holding it upright and not having the vac on full blast "comfortable". I've not used the softer pad paper, but that sounds like an awesome option.