That way you know that your skim coat will stay on the ceiling for decades. Whichever joint compound you choose, make sure it's recommended usage includes skim coats. Special types of skim coat compounds are available for tough jobs. For example, top-coat joint compound may not adhere to paint well enough to be used for a skim coat, but it's much easier to sand when used as a top coat over other types of joint compound.Īll-purpose joint compound, which is available at every home center, can be used for skim coating. Different types of compound excel at different tasks.
Choosing joint compoundĪs mentioned before, a skim coat is done with joint compound rated for this application. As long as these differences are not discernible with the naked eye they do not diminish the quality of the skim coat. The thickness of the skim coat will vary slightly due to the inconsistencies in the application. Any thickness in excess of that requirement does not yield any benefits.
The skim coat only needs to be think enough to cover the drywall. A skim coats is the final step necessary to achieve a level 5 drywall finish, the highest level of finish available.
It is smooth and hides all imperfections in the drywall beneath it. What is a skim coatĪ skim coat is a very thin layer of drywall joint compound that covers an entire ceiling or wall.
Skim coat over popcorn ceiling upgrade#
I decided to do the work and upgrade to a modern flat ceiling.Īfter taking down the popcorn my task was to apply a skim coat across the entire ceiling. This look must have been very appealing to someone living in the 60ies, but it's not the look I want. My house has popcorn ceilings all throughout.