NOTE – This typically only applies if the desired finish is smooth. Using a Graco Mark V, spray your texture with a LTX 529 to 535 tip and smooth out with a sheet rock smoothing blade.If using hawk and trowel method you thin joint compound very little if at all. Lay your mud onto the surface and pull the mud tight so a light skim coat is applied. Using a 14 inch flat bladed trowel, load up your hawk with all purpose joint compound.Without getting too far ahead smooth out the rolled on texture with a 14 inch taping knife or a squeegee trowel. Using a 1 1/4 inch nap roller screwed into an extension pole, roll 1st coat of mud.If you plan on applying with a hawk and trowel you’ll want to thin very little if any. If spraying or rolling mud, thin mud to the consistency of pancake batter.Before skimming you’ll want to mop or vacuum off the ceilings so your skimming mud doesn’t get flecks of debris in it.If applicable to this situation, please see our post on how to remove popcorn texture. If removing popcorn texture, please refer to our room preparation post on how to prepare a room for popcorn ceiling removal. Please refer to service standards post for instructions on how to communicate with a client and organize for a job. Below we list options for skim coating which require different tools. We’ve included links to our Amazon store, which helps support our how-to program. Many of these tools can be purchased from your local hardware store.

We’ve created a material list, a step by step guide and a quiz to test your knowledge. Each project will vary but we’ve found this process provides amazing results. If skimming for a knockdown, orange peel or other textured finish you will likely be able to skip the 2nd skim coat and sanding process. The following describes our process for skim coating a ceiling for a smooth flat finish.

Roll on drywall skim coat