The process of using a Skim coating to smooth textured walls has become very popular within the past decade. It involves spreading a layer of joint compound on your wall to fill the valleys and bumps in the texture; the result will give the wall a smooth surface.
Required Tools
To get a smooth textured wall with a Skim coat, you need the following:
● Taping Knife 10-12 inch
● All-Purpose Joint Compound – (Sold at Home Depot – the bucket is the best.)
● Mud Pan 14 inch
● Smaller putty knives for details
Step 1:
Pre-mix your compound, scoop some and mix into a pan. After mixing, it should look and feel creamy like peanut butter. The application process, i.e., layering it to your wall, is similar to spreading peanut butter on bread; you’ll keep going in all different directions until it is smooth enough.
Step 2.
After putting the mud in a pan, scoop more compound mix up using a longer taping knife. With mud scattered on the required spots, simply spread in a smooth motion up and down the wall.
You'll see that a long taping knife will help make the surface smooth without stress.
Step 3.
Work from at least 2-foot area, then pull the mixture back and forth, then down and down, in smooth motions until it becomes as smooth as you want it to.
When it dries, the mixture becomes more difficult to scrape; that’s why your final swipes with your taping knife should create a smooth surface without a trace of seam lines. You will be able to spot the difference between the textured wall below and the part that has just been skim-coated.
Step 4
After the skim coat is dried, check around if there are fallen globs of mud or rough areas. If you find any, use your sandpaper to smoothen it carefully. If your wall is adequately sanded or smoothed, you can install wallpaper or paint.
Step 5
Once you are through, rinse and wipe your instruments clean in a bucket. Do not attempt this in the sink. Rust can occur if mud is left on the taping knife.
Keep all of the room's lighting low and away from the walls. Flat paint is also recommended, as bright or shiny paint showcases the texture.
Note: the longer the skim coating blade, the more flatter your finish. I'm holding a 32-inch skim coating blade for scale. If your wall is particularly uneven or unlevel, you'll probably want to start with a 24′′ blade and work your way up to the 32′′ before moving on.
Final Thought
Skim coating is your best bet if you're seeking to smooth existing drywall, hide wallpaper texture, or repair drywall. With roughness, wallpaper removal lines, existing drywall in poor condition, and a two-inch-wide knife stripe around the room from removing the chair railing can be smoothed with this technique.
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