We want to paint our kitchen walls (Drywall) but they have been wallpapered previously. We have taken off the wallpaper to find walls with a lot of defects (holes, craters, imperfections). If we just paint it now, every imperfection will show up.
Someone told us to "skim coat" the walls with joint compound so as to make the walls smooth again.
Can anyone tell us how to do this? Will we need one or two coats of joint compound? Can a beginner do this? I can't find a plaster guy to do it since it is a small job.
2006-10-24 11:00:30 · 8 answers · asked by Mikey D 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
You should use at least 2 coats of joint compound. A beginner can do this, but it will take a lot of time to get it right, especially if the defects are large. I would suggest posting for a plaster guy on a local free classifieds site or classified only paper such as American Classifieds. I have had a lot of luck finding what I need through those services.
If you do this yourself, one thing to note is that sanding can be really messy and the sand is very, very fine. My father-in-law does all of his sanding using a good quality sponge that is dampened. This eliminates the mess from sanding and is much easier to do. Just make sure you don't have a lot of water in the sponge. Rinse the sponge often.
2006-10-24 11:11:03 · answer #1 · answered by miguel's madre 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you put joint compound on too thick it will split and crack. If there are big holes use the fiberglas tape like someone else said but use dura-bond 90 to fill the gaps. The dura-bond 90 is a powder and should be mixed not too watery and it will dry in 90 minutes.
On small splits , cracks or holes use the joint compound. After it's all dried sand it. If the walls don't look great, use another coat of compound and sand again. Since you're a beginner it may take 2 or 3 coats. If after priming the wall you find some bad spots, just apply more joint compound, let it dry sand it and spot prime those areas.
Take your time and don't get discouraged. It's tedious but you will be very proud of yourselves when it's done.
2006-10-24 12:28:22 · answer #2 · answered by Matrix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do this yourself. Just take your time. You should use a six inch putty knife for this and only do the areas that are uneven.
Don't skim the whole wall just do the rough parts. It may take a second coat in some spots. It will need to be sanded after it dries. With a little practice you can use a wet rag to smooth it out if you skim it without a lot of high spots.
This will take some patience and a few days to do as it needs to dry between coats and painting. You should get a wall sander from your supply store (it comes on a handle and is about 4" x 12")
2006-10-24 11:23:22 · answer #3 · answered by my_iq_135 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the drywall tape then use the compound over it. Leave a little extra compound and let it dry for a day. After it dries, sand it smooth. The compound will shrink after it dries. If you get it totally flat when it is still puddy-like it will sink in after it dries and you will notice it more. For an added extra touch to make it extra smooth you can take a slightly wet sponge to it very lightly. Try avoiding lighting that projects along the edge of the wall, it will tend to show the imperfections a lot more if you have made any mistakes.
2006-10-24 16:58:19 · answer #4 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not an easy task and it is messy. You will have to sand the entire wall down, not much, but some. That will remove teh remaining part of the wall paper paste and as you sand over the bare spots, what you want to do is to get rid of the "fuzzy" part of it.
Put a coat of flat primer on it, latex.
Then you have to take sheet rock mud and skim it on the entire wall. After that has dried, and it may take a day or so, get a sheet rock sander, which is nothing but a thing to hold sandpaper, or a fine grain screen, and sand it as smooth as you can. You will see some spots that need it again, so mud them again, let them dry, and sand them down.
You might have to do this several times, sanding each time.
Painting it should be done with flat paint if you can tolerate it because semi gloss and gloss will show the flaws. You can find a flat oil base paint at Sherwin Williams or Dulux which will be better around grease spatters.
2006-10-24 12:11:49 · answer #5 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd be better of using the drywall mud and doing a skim coat, but planning on having a plastered type of finish....smooth down any major peaks and ridges and lightly sand it. Don't plan on having a smooth flat wall and you'll love the finish, kind of that old world italia look you're seeing in all of the magzines.
2006-10-24 19:15:52 · answer #6 · answered by kmodek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use sand paper and sand gently as in case you have been softly touching a toddler's face. once you get it mushy, wipe down with a humid rag. you may positioned a coat of indoors primer over the sanded and bare spots. verify the primer can and see if it says to grant it 2 coats, if so confirm you wait the allowed time between coats. while its achieved if to procure it mushy to fulfill your look you're waiting to color. sturdy good fortune.
2016-10-16 08:50:45 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will need a fiber glass tape to put in the holes secure it then apply your compound generously let it dry and sand it!
2006-10-24 11:09:57 · answer #8 · answered by trevor 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋