Skim coating can be a great way to smooth out or prepare worn or damaged walls for a touchup and is a relatively easy task that even novice drywall workers can add to their arsenal. Here’s how to tell when it’s time to skim coat your walls and how to go about doing so.
WORKING TIME: 1 hr - 1 hr, 30 mins
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
TOTAL TIME: 2 - 3 hrs
POTENTIAL COSTS: $20 to $50 (Depending on what tools you own)
Materials Required
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Drywall compound
- Primer
- Masking tape
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Mud pan
- Roller sleeve
- Safety glasses
- Paint roller
- Paintbrush
- Sanding pole
- Squeegee knife
- Taping knife
What is skim coating?
Skim coating – also known as a level-five drywall finish – is the process of smoothing over worn or damaged drywall with a thin coat of diluted joint compound in order to improve the look of the surface.
It is usually done to repair damage and improve appearance. It can also be applied in the form of either a single layer to touch up a small area or multiple layers to provide a smooth surface with which to work. Once the skim coat is applied, the surface is then often painted or retextured. The idea is to create a fresh surface to then apply your own touch. This is often one of the primary steps in a remodel of a new or existing home.
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When should I apply a skim coat?
Applying a skim coat to a wall is fairly easy to do yourself, but you should first be able to recognize when such a process is warranted. With our help we can make the process easy. Here are four common instances when a skim coat is a worthwhile decision.
- Fixing damage from wallpaper – Removing wallpaper often damages the drywall behind it by creating gouges or tearing off the drywall’s outer paper. A skim coat can take care of these blemishes.
- Retexturing after a drywall repair – After a repair, a skim coat is often used to prep the wall for paint or texture.
- Touching up old or unsightly walls – Walls can take a beating over time, and a skim coat is a great way to restore the like-new appearance of walls without completely replacing them.
- Installing new drywall – Skim coating new drywall ensures a uniform surface for priming or painting, and should always be done to at least a very thin extent if the drywall isn’t going to be textured.
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BEGINNER PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
ADVANCE 12" STAINLESS STEEL RADIUS SKIMMING BLADE
The Advance 12” Stainless Steel Radius Skimming Blade is specifically shaped to hold mud making it deal for skimming patchwork or achieving a level five finish. It’s great for use behind finishing boxes for less sanding as well as single hand use for a natural drywall finishing feel. This blade prevents fatigue, with less bending down to switch tools when skimming or patching and can achieve the same results as larger smoothing blades. Pick one up today!
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PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
COLUMBIA 32" TOMAHAWK SMOOTHING BLADE
The Columbia 32” Tomahawk Smoothing Blade is one of the most durable blades on the market today. With no plastic pieces, the Tomahawk doesn't snap under pressure. And because the blades use a Flat Box handle, there are no plastic adaptors that will break with the weight of the larger blades. This also increases the stability and your ability to adjust the angle of attack while in motion. The Columbia Tomahawk will change what the industry expects from a professional grade Smoothing Blade. Pick one up today!
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How to apply a skim coat
- Lay down a floor cover to protect against the primer and skim coat materials you’ll be using. Use drop cloths and tape them up to the wall baseboard. You should also turn off electrical circuits and outlets, and remove face plates, in the area you are working.
- Prime the ENTIRE wall to seal any loose paper and to help ensure a nice, even finish. These are thin layers that won't fix holes or torn-away paper, or make uneven sections level. Patch these problems with setting-type joint compounds. Make sure the primer dries before applying the skim coat.
- Mix water into your joint compound to dilute its thickness and to make it easier to apply to the wall in thin layers. The compound should be the same consistency as mud you would use for bedding tape (the consistency of mayonnaise, or just thin enough to roll on the wall). Pro Tip: When mixing drywall compound, determine the amount of water needed according to the manufacturer's instructions on the product.
- You can apply the compound to the wall with either a roller or a paint sprayer. If you go the roller route, use the roller to apply no more than 1/8 inch of the compound to the wall. Try to coat it evenly, doing one small section at a time so you can smooth it out before it starts to dry. Be sure to press the roller firmly into the wall to force out bubbles. Pro tip: Don't worry if you get a little cracking on the first coat. Just mix the next coat a little thicker by spooning in some fresh mud.
- Use a skimming blade or trowel to smooth out the applied area. Start at the top and pull down. It might take a few passes on each section to achieve a uniform smooth coating. Pro tip: Use a rag to wipe the blade after every few passes and use the mud pan to wipe off excess mud that builds up on the trowel.
- Repeat the application and smoothing steps until the compound is perfectly smooth – being sure to trowel the second coat horizontally. If there are still imperfections after two coats, do another vertical coat on top of that. Repeat with alternating trowel directions until smoothness is achieved. You can make this process easier by using a squeegee trowel.
- If a section is starting to dry and you have more smoothing to do, use a spray bottle of water to moisten it up a bit and continue smoothing. A sanding pad can be used to smooth dried areas, however, you don't necessarily have to sand between coats; just scrape off lumps or mud lines with a 5- or 6-in. putty knife to avoid streaks in the next coat.
- Once dried, go over the wall with a microfiber towel to remove any and all dust from the surface. Pro tip: To speed up drying, especially in humid areas, bring in a space heater plus a box fan or two.
Achieve your perfect drywall finish at Al’s
Al’s Taping Tools has been providing contractors with the highest-quality and most extensive selection of drywall tools, parts, and accessories in the industry since 1985. Our experts are here to help you find easy ways to save time and money on your next project. Shop our products today to give yourself an advantage on any job site.
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