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Skimming is a process of repairing textured or damaged walls and ceilings by applying joint compound. The process requires at least two coats, sanding, and can be used on concrete. Tools needed include a pan, knife or trowel, and joint compound. Skimming should be done in sections, and materials should be cleaned immediately after use. For concrete, a solution designed for use with concrete is used, and the flooring needs to be damp before applying the skim coat.
Skimming is the process of applying a layer of muddy plaster compound to textured or damaged ceilings and walls to smooth or repair them. Both professional plasterers and do-it-yourselfers (do-it-yourselfers) can use this method to repair entire walls; to smooth out hatches on drywall wallpaper, fill deep scratches or holes; or to replace water damaged drywall parts. The shaving process generally requires at least two coats of compound. After all layers are dry and smooth, the wall or ceiling must be sanded before it can be painted or wallpapered. This process can also be used to give concrete a smooth surface.
Tools and materials
The main material needed for shaving is joint compound. It is a thick but spreadable substance that dries and hardens over time, maintaining the integrity and continuity of the plasterboard or plaster. It generally comes in the form of a powder to be mixed with water, or in ready-made mixtures. Both work well, but the powdered version often dries faster than the ready-made one.
The tools needed for shaving are a pan of mud to mix the compound and a knife or trowel to apply it to the walls. This can also be done with a roller brush if the compound is very thin. You may also need a blister brush or brush to smooth out the dry joint compound. Some people also use a square stand called a hawk as a palette to hold the compound and move it around the room more easily.
Skim coating process
If you are not using ready-made compound, you will need to prepare the compound first. This is done by adding small amounts of water to the powder and stirring it until it becomes liquid, but not watery. Consistency-wise, it should look a bit like cake batter. If it’s too watery and won’t stick to the spatula or blade, more powder is needed.
Before skimming, the wall or ceiling should be prepared by lightly sanding and scraping off any loose pieces and cleaning with a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth to remove all dust. If there are any open seams, then they should be taped. Once this is done, about 1/8 inch (about 0.3 cm) of material should be smoothed over a small area of the wall. The extra compound should be scraped off the knife and gently dragged across the area to smooth out any excess left on the wall. If the compound is already hard, you can use a blister brush or brush to put a little water on the walls to soften them before smoothing.
Once the first layer has dried, any remaining ridges or bubbles should be scraped away with the knife. Any rough areas should be lightly sanded and then cleaned up as before. A second coat can then be applied, working in the opposite direction to the first. Once all layers are dry, the wall or ceiling should be sanded before wallpapering or painting.
Tip
Skimming should be done in sections about 3 feet square, so that there is time to smooth the compound before it dries. If a whole wall is being made, it is best to make it in half, dividing the walls horizontally in the middle. When doing the top half of the wall, the compound needs to be smoothed from the top, then the bottom half can be smoothing compound from the floor. The knife should be scraped clean or wiped with a damp rag if it starts to form residue on it. In addition, all materials should be cleaned thoroughly immediately after use to prevent mud from hardening and coating the tools.
For concrete
The process for skimming concrete is much the same; however, the material used is not joint compound, but rather a solution designed for use with concrete. It is sometimes called a shaved coat, a quick coat, or a thin coat. Also, concrete flooring needs to be damp before applying the skim coat for it to adhere well, so you should use a small sprayer to moisten sections of the flooring before applying. The method of applying and smoothing the material is essentially the same as for walls and ceilings.
