Interior cornice is loose, how to re-attach without removing?

[dr_harika]

Hi, 
I have cornice which has come away from the ceiling around 3mm. I can "push" it back into position, but when you tap on it, it sounds hollow like there isn't much cornice cement behind it. There is only around 600mm total length that needs repair. 

I was thinking of using a quick setting White Construction Adhesive (like Nail It) to somehow squirt in there (not sure how) and then once its "secure", fill the visible gap with a white paintable gap filler to seal it.  Any tips?

Ideally i don't want to have to remove the cornice to re-attach as i fear breaking it.
Bonus points if anyone knows what type of cornice pattern this is called, and where i can get it from?

[EricL · Accepted solution]

Hello @dr_harika

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's marvellous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about repairing your loose cornice.

In order to avoid removing the cornice from your ceiling, I suggest drilling into it so that you can pump the insides with Bostik 300ml Nail It Fast Cure. The trick is to make sure the hole that you've drilled is big enough for the nozzle to go into. However, you'll need to seal off the holes you've drilled into and repaint the cornice. I recommend using Parfix 500g Ready To Use Multipurpose Filler to cover the holes.

When the adhesive has properly cured, I propose using Selleys 475g No More Gaps Interior Multipurpose Gap Filler. It has excellent flexibility and can be painted over.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[dr_harika]

Thanks Eric!
I managed to lower the cornice enough to get the nozzle of the Nail It Fast Cure in there and squeeze a whole heap in, then pushed it up and held it in place with a block of wood. I just put no more gaps on the top and am super happy with the result as i haven't even needed to paint yet.

Regards,
Tony

[EricL]

Hi @dr_harika 

That repair job looks fantastic, just a friendly reminder to wash the surface with Sugar Soap to get it ready for the paint touch-up. 

Thank you for sharing your interior cornice repair project.

Eric

[liverbird]

Hi,

Just out if curiosity, how long did u have to hold it with the block of wood and how did u manage to do it ?

[EricL]

Hello @liverbird 

Let me tag @dr_harika to make them aware of your question. However, according to the Bostik literature it becomes tack-free in about 10 minutes and achieving full cure within 3 days. But lets wait for dr_harika to confirm.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[dr_harika]

Hi @liverbird  - good to come back to an old post. First of all, it has held up well 2.5 years later and totally forgot what it used to look like!

I recall propping this up with a block of wood (i.e. 2x4 by around 1.5m long) wedged up off a ladder step with a rag between the wood and the cornice to protect the surface of the cornice. I held it propped up overnight. 
Free to use your creativity to get anything to hold it up. Telescopic painting pole etc would work just as well for example. 

As for "how did you manage to do it", i pulled down the cornice as much as i could without completly pulling it off, and just squirted the Nail It Fast Cure product in a few locations where i could get the nozzle in.  Once cured (over night), i used No more Gaps to hide the crack/seam, then cleaned the area and gave it a touch up paint with ceiling white and a very small brush - just enough to cover the No more gaps, rather than paint the whole cornice as i didnt want to have an obvious repair location.

Good luck with your project!

[EricL]

Hello @dr_harika 

Thank you for the added details to your repair work! It's good to hear that it has held up for that amount of time. Let me tag @liverbird to make them aware of your answer.

Eric

[liverbird]

Thanks @dr_harika . will let you know how it goes. One last question - my cornice sag id in the outer balcony. I am assuming, I can still use the Nail It Fast Cure ?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @liverbird,

The Bostik 300ml Nail It Fast Cure is designed for interior use, so even if the area does not receive direct rain, it would be best to switch to something like Selleys 325g Liquid Nails Rapid Cure Strong Waterproof Adhesive. The Selleys Rapid Cure also sets much faster if propping it up for an extended period is an issue.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell