Skim Coating Walls: Post-Wallpaper Removal Guide

how to skim coat a wall after removing wallpaper

Removing wallpaper can be a big hassle and often leaves behind damaged drywall. Repairing drywall after wallpaper removal can be a time-consuming and challenging task, but it is possible to achieve a smooth and uniform surface with some tools, patience, and the right techniques. Here is a step-by-step guide to skim coating a wall after removing wallpaper:

Preparation: Before starting the repair process, gather the necessary tools and materials, such as a utility knife, sandpaper, cloths, drop cloths/tarps, joint compound, taping knife, and safety gear like a dust mask and eye protection.

Initial Repairs: Start by removing any remaining wallpaper and loose paper from the drywall surface. Use a professional wallpaper remover solution to make the process easier. Sand the affected areas with medium and fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out the edges. Clean the wall with a damp cloth to remove any dust and residue.

Skim Coating: Apply a thin coat of joint compound or mud to the damaged areas using a large drywall taping knife or trowel. Smooth out the compound with long, gentle strokes, pulling away from corners. Allow the first skim coat to dry completely before applying a second coat, if needed.

Sanding: Once the skim coat is dry, use fine-grit sandpaper or a pole sander to smooth out the surface, removing any high spots or imperfections. Wipe down the wall with a damp cloth to remove the dust.

Priming: Before painting or installing new wallpaper, it is essential to prime the wall to ensure proper adhesion and a uniform finish. Use a primer/sealer product specifically designed for this purpose, such as ROMAN PRO-999 Rx-35.

Skim coating a wall after removing wallpaper can be a tedious process, but it is a crucial step in achieving a smooth and professional-looking finish. By following these steps and taking your time, you can restore your walls to their former glory and create a perfect canvas for your new paint or wallpaper.

Characteristics Values
Purpose Smooth out brand new and/or damaged walls and ceilings
Materials Large drywall taping knife or trowel, putty knife/scraper, thin drywall repair tape, a stainless steel drywall mud pan, and all-purpose joint compound
Process Scrape away surface bubbles, remaining wallpaper, and loosened/torn drywall paper; fully coat the wall(s) with your surface sealer using your small roller and let fully dry; place your repair tape over the relevant areas and corners and bed them using your normal-consistency drywall compound and trowel; after all repairs have been made, thin down your all-purpose compound for skim coating purposes; apply a reasonable amount of compound with your trowel at the top of the surface and smooth it out by gently scraping downwards, upwards, and side to side, always pulling away from corners; smooth out the coating with long, smooth strokes downward then horizontally; allow the first skim coat to fully dry, then apply the second and let fully dry

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Removing wallpaper residue

First, move any furniture away from the walls and place drop cloths on the floor to protect against water damage. Cover electrical outlets and remove appliances to avoid electrical danger. It is also recommended to cut off the power to the room. Wear disposable gloves when handling wallpaper paste and keep garbage bags and trash bags nearby to dispose of residue.

Next, mix a solution of hot water and a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap or liquid dish soap in a bucket. If the adhesive is particularly stubborn, add a tablespoon of baking soda and/or vinegar to the mix (about one cup of vinegar per gallon of water). Soak a sponge in the solution and gently rub it onto a section of the wall, wiping away glue residue as it softens. Rinse the soap from the walls and dry the surface with a clean rag or towel. If wallpaper glue residue remains, discard the used solution and rinse the bucket with warm water.

For tougher glue residue, pour one gallon of hot water and one cup of vinegar into the bucket. Soak a clean sponge in the mixture, ring out excess liquid until the sponge is damp but not dripping, and gently rub the sponge over the remaining residue. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes and soak in. Scrape the glue away gently with a wallpaper scraper or a plastic drywall knife. Repeat the soaking and scraping process until all residue is removed.

Dispose of the waste residue and used cleaning solution in garbage bags. Rinse the bucket with warm water. Ensure the surface is completely dry before repainting.

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Smoothing walls with a skim coat

Skim coating is a thin application of joint/drywall compound (sometimes called "mud") that is used to smooth out brand new and/or damaged walls and ceilings. It is often an overlooked but important step in the process of painting and renovating interiors.

When to skim coat

Skim coating is particularly useful when you want to conceal imperfections in drywall, whether caused by water damage, impact, previous repairs, loose joints, popped nails, or wallpaper removal. It is also useful when you want to remove a popcorn ceiling without spending too much time, energy, or money.

Benefits of skim coating

Skim coating offers a relatively fast, easy, and cheap alternative to removing a popcorn ceiling. It also provides a smooth surface for painting and reduces drywall "flashing" (or "photographing") in new drywall.

Steps to skim coating

  • Prepare your materials: You will need a large drywall taping knife or trowel, putty knife/scraper, thin drywall repair tape, a stainless steel drywall mud pan, and all-purpose joint compound. Good lighting and a surface sealer are also recommended.
  • Scrape away surface imperfections: Use your putty knife/scraper to remove surface bubbles, remaining wallpaper, and loosened/torn drywall paper.
  • Apply a surface sealer: Fully coat the wall(s) with your surface sealer using a small roller and let it dry completely.
  • Repair damaged areas: Place your repair tape over the relevant areas and corners and bed them using your normal-consistency drywall compound and trowel.
  • Thin down your all-purpose compound: Thin down your all-purpose joint compound for skim coating purposes.
  • Apply the first skim coat: Apply a reasonable amount of compound with your trowel at the top of the surface and smooth it out by gently scraping downwards, upwards, and side to side, always pulling away from corners.
  • Smooth out the first skim coat: Smooth out the coating with long, smooth strokes downward, then horizontally. Allow the first skim coat to fully dry.
  • Apply the second skim coat: Once the first skim coat is completely dry, apply the second skim coat and let it dry completely.

Additional tips

  • Two skim coats are often required for optimal results.
  • During the process, a contractor will use a trowel or drywall knife to spread the compound mixture. To speed up the process, some contractors will first apply the compound using a large-nap roller and then smooth out the coat with their trowel.
  • Before skim coating, it is important to remove as much wallpaper residue as possible. This can be done by washing the walls with hot water and TSP (wearing gloves) or using a product like Gardz by Zinsser to seal the walls.
  • After skim coating, it is important to sand the walls with fine-grit paper (240 or 320) and vacuum everything down to remove dust before priming and painting.
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Sanding and cleaning walls

Sanding and cleaning the walls are crucial steps in preparing a wall for skim coating after removing wallpaper. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Sanding the Walls:

  • After removing the wallpaper, use a fine-grit sandpaper (around 220-240 grit) to smooth out any rough spots on the wall. Pay extra attention to areas with holes, cracks, or other damage.
  • If you are working with drywall, consider using a drywall hand sander kit, which can be attached to a shop vacuum to reduce dust. Alternatively, use a pole sander with a screen-like sandpaper to avoid clogging and creating a mess.
  • For plaster walls, a professional contractor might use an orbital sander, but this can be tricky and may require skill to avoid damaging the wall.
  • Sanding creates dust, so wear a breathing mask and protective eyewear. You may also want to cover any furniture or nearby items to protect them from dust.

Cleaning the Walls:

  • After sanding, it is essential to clean the walls to remove any remaining dust, debris, or residue. Use a damp sponge or cloth with warm water to wipe down the walls.
  • For stubborn wallpaper paste or adhesive residue, a mixture of hot water and a small amount of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) can be effective. Be sure to wear gloves when using this mixture.
  • Alternatively, a solution of fabric softener and warm water can help remove adhesive residue.
  • Rinse the walls with clean water after using any cleaning solutions to ensure no residue is left behind.
  • Allow the walls to dry completely before proceeding to the next steps of skim coating and painting.

Sanding and cleaning the walls are crucial steps to ensure a smooth and even surface for skim coating and painting. Take your time with these steps, as they will impact the final result of your wall transformation!

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Priming walls

The first step in priming walls is to prep the walls. This involves rolling the entire wall with a stain-blocking sealer. This seals loose paper and promotes better adhesion of the joint compound. You can use a water-based stain killer such as Zinsser's Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer.

Let the sealer dry thoroughly before applying any joint compound.

Next, mix all-purpose joint compound to about the same consistency as mud you would use for bedding tape (the consistency of mayonnaise, or just thin enough to roll on the wall). You can use a paddle mixer to mix the joint compound thoroughly. You’ll get shrinkage if you mix it too wet.

Spread a layer of slightly thinned all-purpose joint compound on the walls with a heavy-nap roller. Work in small sections so you can smooth out the joint compound before it starts to dry. Don’t worry if you get cracking on the first coat; just mix the next coat a little thicker by spooning in some fresh mud from another bucket.

Use a 1/2-in.-nap roller to roll mud on an area about four feet square. Try to keep it as even as you can so the squeegee work will go better for you.

Trowel the First Coat

Smooth the joint compound with a squeegee knife. Keep a damp rag and a mud pan handy. Use the rag to wipe the blade after every few strokes and the mud pan to wipe off excess mud that builds up on the blade.

Starting at the top corner, set the squeegee knife against the wall and pull it down. Overlap each vertical pass until you finish the section.

You may have to go over some areas a few times. It won’t take you long to get the hang of using the squeegee knife. When you’re done with the top section, roll joint compound on the lower half and smooth it by pulling the trowel upward.

Pull the squeegee knife from the bottom up. Touch up along the edges as you go.

Let the first coat of joint compound dry. To speed up drying time, especially if the air is humid, bring a space heater and a box fan or two.

You don’t have to sand between coats; just knock off lumps or proud mud lines with a 5- or 6-in. putty knife to avoid streaks in the next coat. Brush off the wall and you’re ready for the next coat.

Change Directions for the Second Coat

It sounds like a lot of work to apply two or three coats of joint compound, but the process is quick and the thin layers dry fast.

As you know, the smoother you get the wall, the less sanding you’ll get stuck with. Trowel off each successive layer at a right angle to the previous one. If you still see indentations or imperfections after the second coat dries, trowel on a third coat.

After the last coat dries, pole-sand the wall with 120-grit paper. If you have too many peaks and valleys, hit the walls with 100-grit first.

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Painting walls

Painting a wall is one of the easiest and most affordable ways of updating a room. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to paint a wall like a pro:

Measure your room and determine how much paint you need

Firstly, measure your room. A general rule of thumb is that one gallon of paint can roughly cover between 250 and 400 square feet of wall space.

Choose your colour and get the right finish

Buy some sample pots to see how the hue reacts to the light in your space. Don't forget the paint finish. Mid-sheen and gloss finishes reflect light, while kitchen and bathroom walls require moisture and stain-resistant qualities.

Buy the right tools

You will need a pot of paint, a paintbrush and paint roller, primer, soap and water for cleaning, a painting tray, a dust sheet, painter's masking tape, and, if you have high ceilings, a roller extension pole.

Paint in natural light

Always paint in natural, not artificial or low, light.

Clear your working area

Put away your favourite furniture items and anything you don’t want to get splatters or splodges on. Put a protective dust sheet down to save your flooring and any furniture that’s too heavy to move.

Prepare the walls

A key factor in ensuring you have a smooth finish is having a clean surface to paint on. Most walls can be washed with a soft sponge and warm water, but if you’re painting in the kitchen then you’ll need something to help cut through the grease before rinsing with warm water.

Apply your painter's tape

Use painter’s masking tape or masking tape to cover any sockets, switches and skirting boards in the area.

Apply your primer

Apply a smooth and even base coat of primer using a roller. Work into smaller crevices using the tip of your paintbrush. Leave to dry for a few hours before starting to paint.

Stir and decant your paint

After opening a paint can, stir the paint thoroughly for an even texture, before pouring some into your painting tray.

Cut in the edges

Before you start painting the walls, cut in the edges with a one or two-inch brush. This means first painting the areas that are too tight for rollers, like the ceiling line, corners and trim.

Paint your wall from top to bottom

From preparation to painting, work from the top of your room down, for best results. Start with the ceiling and the architrave. Then, paint your walls from the top down with your roller. Finish the job with woodwork and skirting.

Use this painting technique for best coverage

Apply your paint in a W shape on the wall. Go over the W with an M shape to fill in the gaps, then reload your roller and move onto the next section in the same way.

Apply another coat of paint

Leave the first coat to dry for a couple of hours before you apply another coat. Most walls shouldn’t require more than two coats of paint. Remove the painter's tape from the wall whilst the second coat is still drying.

Don't forget ventilation

Open the windows and let some air in. Keep your work area well-ventilated to minimize drying time.

Clean up ready for the big reveal

Leave to dry for at least 24 hours and remove your dust sheets to reveal your brand new wall. Keep your brushes in good condition by cleaning them before you put them away. If you've used a water-based paint, clean with soap and water.

Frequently asked questions

Before skim coating, you should remove any remaining wallpaper, glue, and loose material. Then, wash the wall with hot water and TSP to remove any remaining wallpaper paste.

You will need a large drywall taping knife or trowel, putty knife/scraper, thin drywall repair tape, a stainless steel drywall mud pan, and all-purpose joint compound. You will also need good lighting, and, in some cases, a surface sealer to firmly press down any torn drywall, along with a thin roller.

First, scrape away surface bubbles, remaining wallpaper, and loosened/torn drywall paper. Then, fully coat the wall(s) with your surface sealer using your small roller and let fully dry. Next, place your repair tape over the relevant areas and corners and bed them using your normal-consistency drywall compound and trowel. After all repairs have been made, thin down your all-purpose compound for skim coating purposes. Apply a reasonable amount of compound with your trowel at the top of the surface and smooth it out by gently scraping downwards, upwards, and side to side, always pulling away from corners. Smooth out the coating with long, smooth strokes downward then horizontally. Allow the first skim coat to fully dry, then apply the second -- let fully dry.

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