filling holes and sanding down

[unhappychick]

I have moved into a house that has holes everywhere, some big some small, I fill them and sand them down, but I can still see the filler mark no matter how hard I sand it down...what am I doing wrong?

[joggerjayne]

The filler dries and shrinks, and goes a bit concave, so you can't sand it flush.

You have to put in more filler, and build it up until it's proud of the hole, and then you can sand it smooth.

(joggerjayne changes name to DIY Girl)

[Clanad]

It sounds like you're refinishing what we call here in the U.S., drywall. It's a gypsum material between two sheets of construction paper. Very durable and easily repaired, just as you are doing. I'd suggest, however, that you look for a spackling repair material that has fibers incorporated. This prevents much of the shrinkage. My favorite here is Red Devil but, of course, I've no way of knowing if it's available in the U.K.
More importantly, if your wall(s) is this kind of construction (I assume some similarities with the U.S.) then the "patch" needs to be finished once it's dried to match the wall. You should notice some texture on your wall. Many small lumps and bumps known here as "Orange Peel" or if they're larger sometmes called "Knock Down". This is the finish the installers put on the wall to cover up small imperfections. Again, here you can buy a small pressurized can of the material at DIY stores. It should come with three plastic "straws" attached to the can. They'll be color-coded for size of the lumps and bumps. Usually, use the middle size. Simply make sure the area is clean and dry and follow instructions. Don't hold the can to close to the walls and don't apply too much. Let dry and then re-paint. Nice thing is, if you don't like the first attempt, have a pail of warm water and rags nearby and just wipe it off. Don't sand it after it dries...
One other hint if you decide to go this route... don't try to confine the spray only to the area repaired... feather it into the surrounding wall...

Best of luck!

[buildersmate]

Try using fine surface filler for a nice smooth surface. It still shrinks in a little so has to be applied slightly proud initially.

[terence7556]

im pleased with the results i get with a product called EASIFILL, its in a green/white bag and available at b&q about �11.the bags a lot to use for patching but its very good.two coat process, just mix with water untill a cream texture and slap it on .dont try to trowel it flat because its dead easy to sand down although like all these products, very dusty