Learn about skim coat, a beginner-friendly technique for fixing walls and ceilings and smoothingwall textures.

What Is Skim Coating?

A skim coat is a thin layer ofdrywall joint compound(mud) that gives walls a glass-smooth finish.

Large drywall knife spreading joint compound as skim coat

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Skim coating is easier, more efficient, and less expensive than replacing drywall.

Priming prepares the surface and seals loose drywall paper.

Apply one to twopaint primercoats to the wall or ceiling.

Materials and tools to skim coat joint compound on drywall

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Wait for the primer to dry fully before skim coating.

Mix to a yogurt-like consistency.

Using less water makes a heavier, stickier product that stays on the wall better during program.

Blue painter’s tape added to bottom of wall with plastic

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Tip

Use a light-body drywall compound as it’s easier to sand smooth.

Make each layer about 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick.

This eases out imperfections on the left side but leaves a low ridge on the right side.

Drywall compound mixed in large blue bucket with drywall knife

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Don’t press too hard on the drywall knife to avoid gouging the soft drywall paper.

Skim Coat Remaining Sections

Make a second pass adjacent to the first column.

Again, favor pressure on the left side.

Drywall compound applied to wall with paint roller

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

This eliminates the ridge on the left.

Overlapping ensures that most of the ridges are taken care of by the drywall knife.

This leaves less drywall sanding for later.

Drywall knife skimming joint compound on wall

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Sand the Dried Skim Coat

Allow the skim coat to dry.

It should dry within 12 to 24 hours.

Finish with a light sanding with fine-grit drywall sandpaper.

Drywall knife skimming joint compound

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Tips for applying a skim coat to a ceiling:

How Much Does Skim Coating Cost?

However, due to the labor involved, some homeowners may choose to hire a professional.

Skim coating also fixes shallow damages to drywall and can be used to fix problems left bywallpaper removal.

Fine-grit drywall sandpaper sanding dried skim coat

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

A disadvantage of skim coating is that the skim coat is very thin and fragile.

Be careful when priming and painting the skimmed wall.

In most cases, sanding before skim coating is not necessary.

How Much Does It Cost to Skim Coat Walls?Angi.