Do you have to Skim Plasterboard to decorate ?

ahll

Hi,
I have a couple of walls with new plasterboard on them. I want to put lining paper on them and paint them.

Do I have to get the walls skimmed first or is there some other way around it ? Guess there needs to be something done over the plasterboard screws and where the plasteboard meets.

Thanks

weekendwarrior

You don't have to have it skimmed but it is best if you do in my opinion!

Have tapered edge boards been used?

If the edges of the boards are not tapered then it will be difficult to hide the joint after the scrim has been put on the joints!

If you have some DIY experience and some patience then I would try and skim it. I know a few people that have followed the advice from Here and they have acheived a good finish. Tape the joints first and then give it a skim, the tools to do this and the cost of plaster will be minimal and if you make a mess of it you can get a pro to pva it and then skim over it!

I would see this as a learning opportunity!

steve_gb

we had a similar problem in a bedroom....we put up plasterboard for a bit more noise reduction and instead of skimming we put up the polystyrene type wallpaper (about £4.00 a large roll) and put lining paper over that before painting...works a treat and gives perfect flatness except u do have to do 2 lots of pasting. rough estimates for plastering are £50.00 a wall so its up to you to make the decision on whats easiest and cheapest

ahll

why do you say its best to skim ?

I have been wondering whether to give skimming a go but didnt want to make a complete mess of it. However as you say I can always have a go and see what happens what I do can always be skimmed over if needs be.

I am into DIY and being able to skim would be another useful additional skill I have and I do like to take advantage of a learning opportunity

izzwizz_2

You don't need to skim. You can just tape up the joints (special tape available at places like Wickes) and paint straight away. Our entire house is done like that (including the ceilings!) - it doesn't notice any more than the joins in wallpaper, and you always know where the joists are if you need to hang something heavy on the wall

whitty999

My only sugestion would be to unibond them first after taping.
Sorry can't offer more help but thats what we done and its fine.