Skim coating on walls is an essential technique used by professional painters to repair or hide those flaws on the walls. In most cases all walls have been skim coated to help smooth and even out the surface. Whether you’re painting or putting up wallpaper, skim coating is an important step in having a smooth and perfect looking wall. All Painting & Restoration will share the proper steps to skim coat your walls or ceilings, especially if you’re remodeling your home or repairing damaged drywall.
Wall Primer Paint Recommendations
The first step to skim coating is to use a primer first. Most people will skip priming their walls in assuming the skim coat seals their walls just as well. This is a major misconception. By priming the walls first you not only protect them from future damages but it will also smooth out any loose paper and stop any previous water damage. Applying the primer is easy and quick. Just like paint, you use a roller and painting tray. Pour the primer inside the painting tray. Then begin to roll the primer onto the walls or ceiling just like paint. Make sure you cover the entire wall with the primer. Don’t leave any gaps. Another benefit of priming your walls first is that you cover any dark spots on the walls so they don’t show through.
How to Skim Coat Drywall & Textured Walls With a Paint Roller
To apply the skim coat, you will want to use an All-Purpose Joint Compound (also known as mud). All-purpose joint compound comes in a powder where water is then added when you’re prepared to start applying the compound. With a larger bucket, pour the powder into it then slowly begin to add water, mixing it smoothly together. Continue to mix and add water until the joint compound is the same consistency of mayonnaise. If the mixture is to runny or wet add more powder until it is the right consistency and do the reverse if it is too dry. Applying the all-purpose joint compound is the same as using paint or the primer. Pour the joint compound into a painter’s tray and use a roller to apply the compound onto the walls or ceiling. Don’t worry if their may be a few high ridges or areas at this point. The next step will add finishing touches and smooth them out. Apply the joint compound on the entire wall.
Drywall Smoothing & Sanding
With the joint compound still wet, use either a squeegee trowel or wide rubber edged putty knife and begin to lightly smooth out the wall. Start at the top of the wall and go straight down to the bottom as you work to the other side of the wall. Then repeat this step but change direction. This time you will go from one side of the wall to the other as you work your way down to the bottom of the wall. With the wall more smoothed out, let it completely dry. Again if there are few high spots, don’t worry. Let the wall dry. Once the all-purpose joint compound is dry you can use a high grain sandpaper to remove those few high spots. Once you’ve tended to those last few imperfections you can begin texturing, painting or putting up wallpaper on your walls or ceiling.
Drywall, Painting & More in Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Greer, Springville, Eagar, McNary, Alpine, Heber/Overgaard, Payson, Snowflake/Taylor & White Mountains Area of Arizona
Skim coat is a valuable technique for anyone who is repairing or remodeling their home or walls. During your next project, you may find yourself in need of skim coating to get beautiful smooth and perfect walls. All Painting & Restoration can help provide painting and skim coating along with many other great services. If you find you’re short on time or need assistance with your home’s next makeover project, All Painting & Restoration can help. Contact us today.
