Rotex sander pad and paint question

[Rob-GB]

Okay I need a bit more info and you guys are among the most knowledgeable people I know so...

If I want to sand down plastered (not plasterboard/drywall) walls that are covered in emulsion(latex based) paint what type of pad is best on the rotex and what papers would you recommend? The walls are to be re-painted later once a couple of damp issues are also resolved. The walls at the moment are rough to touch, not sharp but kind of "goose bump" textured.

Thanks in advance for any assistance  [thanks]   

Rob.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Recently did a job like that, I used the soft pad and Granat 80,120 and 180. Mostly 120. Worked great. You don't need a lot of power because material comes off quickly. Just a large surface. I think the soft pad is better this time because the plaster is easily damaged.

 

[tlflorek]

I need to sand drywall with paint. Would you use anything different?

Thanks, Terry

 

[AlexThePalex]

I need to sand drywall with paint. Would you use anything different?

Nope.

Granat 120 + soft pad basically works for anything. If I want a bit faster removal I use 80 or 60 and when I need more control I use 180.

I prefer the hard pad when working on wood but with plaster and drywall the softer pad is good enough. Material comes off easy when working with gypsum products so you don't need the aggressiveness the hard pad gives you, and the soft pad makes it less likely to make little mistakes you later have to fill up again.

 

[tiralie]

It might be over kill, but I wonder how the Planex would do on that project.
Tim

 

[tbellemare]

With my limited experience with Granat, I would have to say Alex is spot on.

Tom

 

[Rob-GB]

Thanks Alex, I thought a soft pad would be the go to one but not having done this before and not yet owning a rotex I wanted feedback back from people who have the experience. [thumbs up] [thanks] I know it is like asking how long is a piece of string! but would you estimate 2 or 3 granat 120 discs per square metre? Just for costing purposes, as this will not be a paying job.

Tim, the planex would probably be great on a job like this but I doubt I would be doing this on a regular basis (if I can help it ) but the rotex would get used in the workshop almost daily. ;D

Rob.

 

[tbellemare]

Rob:

I had 1 piece of 90mm Granat 60 last for about 8 ft-sq but it was fried at the end. If I wasn't experimenting, I would have changed it half way...

Tom

 

[Rob-GB]

Rob:

I had 1 piece of 90mm Granat 60 last for about 8 ft-sq but it was fried at the end. If I wasn't experimenting, I would have changed it half way...

Tom

Thanks Tom, that gives me something to work from, I guess the finer grits will clog up a bit faster even with the downdraft/extraction system festool uses. I need to go measure the whole job later. Oh! the joys of a large family [wink]

Rob.

 

[tbellemare]

The big thing that surprised me, Rob, is that it never clogged and I was removing glue and latex interior paint.

'Something to consider. It's different, I mean the Granat...

Tom

 

[Rob-GB]

The big thing that surprised me, Rob, is that it never clogged and I was removing glue and latex interior paint.

'Something to consider. It's different, I mean the Granat...

Tom

So you basically wore the grit out! ;D With all sanders I have used the paper either cloggs up or falls apart, I even had some no brand ones that actually de-laminated, gritted paper from grippy backing  [eek]
So another added bonus point for the Festool way.
Rob.

 

[AlexThePalex]

but would you estimate 2 or 3 granat 120 discs per square metre? Just for costing purposes, as this will not be a paying job.

Rob, when I read your first question I assumed you were talking about the Rotex 150. Now that I see Tom comment about the Ro90 and you talk about 2 or 3 discs per meter, I'm not so sure anymore. With the latex wall paint I'm used to here, no way you would need 2 or 3 discs per square meter with the 150. More like 3 or 4 square meters for 1 disc, perhaps even more.

It also depends what kind of latex is used. Some cheap types are very soft, others with more quality are a lot harder. But even with the hardest type you should certainly get more than 1 square meter out of a disc. Clogging is hardly an issue with Granat as far as I have seen yet, only the eventual dulling.

An other thing to think about in the equation is that you don't need as perfect a sanding finish here as when you work on wood. The thickness of the latex paint will hide a lot more then wood paint. Especially if you go for a textured effect.
     

 

[Rob-GB]

I was thinking of using the Rotex120 as this would be of more use to me after the paint job. I was going to work out a comparison between pad size and wall area  [blink] but you have saved me that task. Thanks.
'puter got virus yesterday and it took me nearly three hours to sort it out and re install virus protection, started to feel like I was living in the Matrix [eek] ;D

Cheers Rob.