Skimming walls

Nomad44

Hi again,

I want to skim my walls as the previous paint job has left them quite pimply and textured. They are semi gloss and if I was to sand them, it would take me ages of painstaking work. Just wondering if anyone could tell me how to prepare the surface before skimming. Can I apply jointing compound straight on top of the paint, do I need to prime or should I use PVA glue. I know its all about getting a good key, but what is the best method. First time DIYer here so not sure how to proceed. Any help would be appreciated.

Also, I've web researched this entire project and can't find a satisfactory answer to my specific problem. Some will say one thing and others will totally contradict it. Very frustrating.

Silver-Surfer_2

Are you going to skim them yourself?

atrixblue.-MFR-.

If you've never done this type of thing before, get in a person who does for a trade or has previously done a good job as a DIY'er would be my answer.


Skimming your walls yourself and mucking it up can be more costly to fix than just getting it done properly first time in the long run.


Unless your absolutely sure you can undertake this job then pass on it.

TheCyclingProgrammer

PVA would normally be used to prime the walls before re-skimming to reduce suction. But if you've never plastered a wall before you may find the end results aren't what you were hoping for. This is certainly one job where you should get a pro in.

arbrighton

yeah, if you're doing it yourself, it's not going to look better than the existing.... Electric sander, mask, get the job done. Trying to get out of it is going to make the problem worse

wrightk

Nomad44 wrote: »

Hi again,

I want to skim my walls as the previous paint job has left them quite pimply and textured. They are semi gloss and if I was to sand them, it would take me ages of painstaking work. Just wondering if anyone could tell me how to prepare the surface before skimming. Can I apply jointing compound straight on top of the paint, do I need to prime or should I use PVA glue. I know its all about getting a good key, but what is the best method. First time DIYer here so not sure how to proceed. Any help would be appreciated.

Also, I've web researched this entire project and can't find a satisfactory answer to my specific problem. Some will say one thing and others will totally contradict it. Very frustrating.

If the walls are sound scratch them up- sharp end of a scraper will do. Think scored gammon (weird i know but the only comparison i can think of)

Apply PVA bond to the walls- follow instructions for ratios of pva to water.

And skim.

Good luck with the latter

Nomad44

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

If you've never done this type of thing before, get in a person who does for a trade or has previously done a good job as a DIY'er would be my answer.


Skimming your walls yourself and mucking it up can be more costly to fix than just getting it done properly first time in the long run.


Unless your absolutely sure you can undertake this job then pass on it.

I'm not absolutely sure, but its just the sort of thing I think I'd be good at, like I was at lead welding when I did a plumbing course:cool:
Went out and bought a small tin of jointing compound to test myself on a small area. If its no good, then no harm done.
I sanded and washed the walls today; took me flipping ages. Starting the skimming tommorrow.

ceredigion

Jointing compound is for jointing P/B. Plaster is for plastering

Ruski

Jointing compound?? Unless you're overboarding and filling (doesn't sound like that) then you need multifinish to skim an existing wall!

Good luck

Russ

Nomad44

I bought some Terraco Skimfiller. £15 for 5kgs, and I just done 1st coat of one wall. Its quite tricky but not beyond my capabilties by any means. Seems to have turned out ok. Trouble is the expense though. Going to need about 5 or six tubs to do the whole room.

cyclonebri1

Nomad44 wrote: »

I'm not absolutely sure, but its just the sort of thing I think I'd be good:rotfl: at:rotfl:, like I was at lead welding when I did a plumbing course:cool:
Went out and bought a small tin of jointing compound to test myself on a small area. If its no good, then no harm done.
I sanded and washed the walls today; took me flipping ages. Starting the skimming tommorrow.

I'm sorry for laughing BUT,

No one practises a technique on their own home first.


Another point, and this abvout the pitfalls of PVA.
It is good stuff, but it is largely for the benefit of the contractor/plasterer..

Once done do apply heat or moisture, IE, a wallpaper steamer.
Such use will reactivate the glue and the wallpaper plus your plaster skim will pop off thye walls in liberal patches, be warned

You are right, it's not difficult, but it does require strict timing, some physical ability and above all PRACTICE, practice elsewhere 1st, mother in laws place would be my choice:D