OK. That is very informative for sure. I especially like the way you worded the recovery plan ...workman like standards.
Here's the problem...Like I said this was a sub job and it was 5 rooms and 45 boards. The sub sent 2 different guys. The first spent a week in a daze and got everything hung and supposedly 2nd coated...Then ghosted to California.
So the sub sent a 2nd guy. This one 3rd coated and sanded. He tells me and the homeowners that everything is good to go.
I already expect some minor touch ups but I prime a first coat.
There literally are over 200 nail pops and all the seams are visible.
I contact the sub. He sends same guy. He recoats and sands. He tells me and homeowners again it's all good and ready to paint. It gets primed again. It still looks horrible. Wtf?
I read the comment about trying to mud over the paint. And I completely understand why another contractor wouldn't touch it.
But that's where I'm at with this...

I already know I'm going to have to finish this out myself... here's my question:
The ceilings have been primed twice and there are seams and nail pops still showing. I think I can skim it and feather the edges to make it look good but I definitely question the integrity of the bond. Any suggestions??

 

There literally are over 200 nail pops and all the seams are visible.
Any suggestions??

Ok, if the nail pops are from being high then screw them in. IF they are from blowing through the paper and vibrating out then not one of those screws is a screw. It does not exist and therefore the nail pattern is not to code.
First send a notice to your sub that you are billing back rework to him as he apparently does not know how to fix his men's mistakes or does not want to fix them. Let him know that you are documenting and recording ALL time for repair and will bill at company OVERTIME rates as you now must authorize overtime for other work to prioritize this work.

Take pics. Count the nail pops and circle every one of them in pencil. Then go back and tighten and or add screws. Then begin your three coats to refinish the surface.
Use your 12 inch knife and go along the seams. Check for light as mentioned. Take pics and drag your pencil in areas that need work to mark them. Float it out with 6 or 8 inch knife both sides and move toward 12 inch knife. Make sure the mud is DRY between coats or you can create more trouble, better to do it once now than redo it again.
Make sure that the CORNERS are sharp and clean, straight, and square as possible. If you can see wobbles in any corners they have to be fixed. Customers eyes see but brain does not comprehend; except that they feel like something is wrong. When corners are tight and square every customer does not notice what it is, but it feels RIGHT and GOOD.

Hope it all works out, either way you need to bill this idiot sub for your time, that includes extra management time and my time in response (smile). Ike sure and charge for lost paint and paint time. I hope you had a good hold back. Never less than 10% and never pay until you are positive all is well. I bet when you tell him all that you are going to do and charge for he comes and handles personally.

 

 

If you used decent ceiling paint and AP mud, integrity isn't a question.

Those seams are humped, so they need coats on both sides, not down the seam. I'd assume it's going to be 3 coat with 8, 12, 16" knives for that

Nail / screw pops get screwed I
In tight with a hand screwdriver and 3 coated again.

It's just like finishing a new ceiling, except worse. Your DW guy should get bsckcharged.

 

The homeowners are extraordinarily forgiving people and are even willing to change the sheen to a flat if necessary.
It is what it is with the sub and that is being addressed.
The drywall itself is secure. Nothing is loose. The tape coats aren't showing bubbles or creases.
My best guess is that the first guy went with a heavy tape coat, sanded, and called it a 2nd coat. Idk? The third guys is just blind. And I'm a dumbass for subbing to flunkies.LOL
Lesson learned all the way around. What doesn't kill us..right.💪
Thanks for the feed back guys!

 

I'd roll mud on that and then use a 24 or 40 inch skimming blade. Might get it in one go, light sand and be golden.

Skimming blades are awesome. Wish I had known about them years ago.

Funny how a random CT post can change your whole operating method.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

40" skimming blade....sweet baby jesus...that'll get them Popeye forearms nice!! 😂😂😂

 

Next time before you paint, put the edge of a long drywall knife over the joints. If it rocks or you can see light between the edge and the ceiling, it needs more work.

 

That's what I'm talking about...
CT is a forum for helpful advice.
Woke up this morning aggravated about it all.. Googled a question...and ended up here today.
Always ways to learn and re-learn things!
A jobs a job till its done!
Thanks for those tips!!

 

Primer attracts dirt more than a flat paint will. In no time it'll look dirty.

 

Yes sir that is exactly what I did. He brought his whole crew there today and we ended up reaching an agreement that he would compensate by repainting the ceilings and make it right. I haven't been back there but I've stayed in contact with the homeowner. So far so good. We'll see in a few hrs how this day went.

 

The problem with using only primer, aside from the look, is it will yellow pretty quickly.

 

I hate it when people resurrect ancient threads!!

 

I coat pva. Very light sand.Dust.Ceiling white. Looks good. Mmmhmm.

I hate it when people resurrect ancient threads!!

 

Last place I rented the whole inside was only primed.
easy to fix it up when I left at least lol.

 

Toss in a little maple syrup in your paint, it will "stick" to the voids and fill them.

 

Using two coats of white primer isn’t necessarily “wrong,” especially for ceilings, but it lacks the durability, wipeability, and finish consistency of ceiling paint.

Primer isn't designed for final appearance—it can absorb light unevenly and might show flashing or dull spots over time. For a cleaner, longer-lasting finish, a coat of ceiling paint over primer is still the better route.