Wall texture skimming tips?

metron · #1 11-17-2008, 11:03 AM

I have faux texture on roughly 50% of the walls in the house I just bought. It's pretty rough stuff as in "I just brushed the wall and now I am bleeding" kind of texture. I hate it!

So being the glutton for punishment that I am, I decided I am going to take the approach of skimming the walls with drywall compound. I have already read a bunch of home improvement sites so I have an idea of what I am in for. I just wanted to stop by here and see if I can get some tips from a bass players perspective.

Benjamin Strange · #2 11-17-2008, 11:13 AM

I've done it - it sucks. I have no tips other than to let you know that you're in for a much bigger job than you suspect.

Stumbo · #3 11-17-2008, 11:14 AM

Can you knock down some of the faux texture's height? The less you have to cover the better.

I think the most difficult part will be keeping the wall "straight".

Stumbo · #4 11-17-2008, 11:20 AM

You might want to get some estimates from drywall contractors to see what you're up against. If all the estimates are high, then it's a big job and may take some pro skills to do it right if you want it smooth and straight.

MJ5150 · #5 11-17-2008, 11:25 AM

I did this for a living for 15+ years...what is the desired finish you want in the end?

As suggested, try running over it with a 6" or 8" knife and knock down all the high spots. If you can get it fairly smooth, then you could get away with a skim coat or two. If you put too much compound/mud on the wall, you will have issues with cracking out.

There is a lifelong plaster guy here too, he will be able to provide some helpful suggestions as well.

-Mike

metron · #6 11-17-2008, 11:45 AM

Wow thanks people!

I want a smooth finish that will be consistent with the rest of the walls in the house. I do have patience and time. The good news is that first floor is completely empty and will remain so until painting is done.

Would new drywall be an expensive alternative to skimming? I don't think I want to hang drywall but the skimming I planned on doing myself.

MJ5150 · #7 11-17-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metron

Would new drywall be an expensive alternative to skimming? I don't think I want to hang drywall but the skimming I planned on doing myself.

You're going to have a hard time getting a smoothwall finish doing this yourself. No a knock on you, but it is going to take some skill and patience to go from soemthing that rough to smooth. I know guys who have been in the trade for years, and still can't do a good smoothwall finish.

As for new board....It really depends on how thick the texture is after you knock down the high points. Can you post a pic of what the walls look like now? Also, how much space are we talking?

-Mike

Benjamin Strange · #8 11-17-2008, 11:50 AM

It depends. If it's a really rough wall, I'd probably just rehang drywall and be done with it.

metron · #9 11-17-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

You're going to have a hard time getting a smoothwall finish doing this yourself. No a knock on you, but it is going to take some skill and patience to go from soemthing that rough to smooth. I know guys who have been in the trade for years, and still can't do a good smoothwall finish.

As for new board....It really depends on how thick the texture is after you knock down the high points. Can you post a pic of what the walls look like now? Also, how much space are we talking?

-Mike

I hear you. I figured getting it smooth would be the biggest challenge.

I tried scraping off some of the texture and it was roughly 1/8" thick going down to the lower layer of paint not including the high points. I can try posting a pic tomorrow.

Sq ft wise I dont really know how much area it is. The master bedroom is covered in it and I think that room is 12x14. One wall in each of the smaller 10x10 bedrooms then most of the front living room which is probably 18 ft of wall. There is plenty of it...

Stupid house remodeling! So far I have spent nearly all my time undoing poor choices prior owners have made.

metron · #10 11-17-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

It depends. If it's a really rough wall, I'd probably just rehang drywall and be done with it.

I would like to but I have never hung drywall. One way or the other this is going to be a major pain so at this point I am trying to asses which way would be the best - skimming or hanging new. I have to do the work by myself or else I have to hire it out. I figured skimming would be something I could do myself a little easier.

Or I could just learn how to enjoy my abrasive walls.

MJ5150 · #11 11-17-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metron

I tried scraping off some of the texture and it was roughly 1/8" thick going down to the lower layer of paint not including the high points.

That's not so bad. Chip and scrape as best you can to get all the high points down first. Then run your knives over the whole walls just to flatten everything out. Depending on what you have after scraping, you may want to shoot the walls with some kind of primer before you start skimming. Putting compound/mud right over some kinds of paint is a no-no.

You can rescue these walls, but it will take some time and a lot of sanding. Since I did it for so long, it's just as easier to demo the old and start from scratch. I can see how that would be even more challenging though to someone like yourself.

-Mike

Stumbo · #12 11-17-2008, 02:50 PM

How about just changing the color of the walls and be done with it.

All the time and money you'll spend on skimming it or redoing the drywall is better spent on GAS and practicing/reheasing.

thefruitfarmer · #13 11-17-2008, 03:09 PM

How about ... ?

Using an electric sander to smooth the wall (as much as possible) then lining paper, then paint it?

metron · #14 11-17-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

That's not so bad. Chip and scrape as best you can to get all the high points down first. Then run your knives over the whole walls just to flatten everything out. Depending on what you have after scraping, you may want to shoot the walls with some kind of primer before you start skimming. Putting compound/mud right over some kinds of paint is a no-no.

Thanks for the info! The trouble I have is that the texture is faux - it's not even paint as far as I can tell. Might be that spray on crap. TPS was making it melt off a bit. Think there will be issues with the mud sticking to the texture?

metron · #15 11-17-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

How about just changing the color of the walls and be done with it.

All the time and money you'll spend on skimming it or redoing the drywall is better spent on GAS and practicing/reheasing.

Good point. I thought about just living with it but it looks so lame!

MJ5150 · #16 11-17-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metron

Think there will be issues with the mud sticking to the texture?

No. As long as it is not a shiny gloss finish, you should be fine.

-Mike

Chunk-O-Funk · #17 11-17-2008, 10:19 PM

This is funny. I made a thread just like this. Your first couple of post sounds a lot like mine did. The whole I think I can attitude and I have time and patience on my side.

Do yourself a favor and hire someone. NOW!!!!!

I tried skim coating my walls and only had to go over a sandy like texture of plaster that was left behind after removing wall paper. I was doing a pretty decent job, but man o' man it was taking me forever. The concept of spreading plaster or DW compound on a wall is pretty simple, but believe me. It's a talent. If you're as meticulous as I am, take what ever time you think it's going to take you and then triple it. No kidding.

Well, part of my problem. I was limited to weekends. I noticed how long it took me to do half of one room, then I called a pro. So for me time was a factor. The guy I called came in and did both my rooms in one day. Well worth the money spent. After that I had plenty of time to wire the rooms for my home theater system. Prime and paint. Put up crown moldings. Put in two ceiling fans and then lay down some hard wood flooring. Kick back and have a Bud.

Looks great now.

If you're anything like me you have to at least try. I say go for it. I actually got to a point where I started to pick up a little technique with a little rhythm to it. Just before I threw down my trowel and said "to hell with this!"

Just remember patience is a virtue, but time is not on your side.

Here's the link to my thread. It's got some great info in it.
Home improvement, DIY question. Skim-coating

Good luck!

metron · #18 11-18-2008, 09:03 AM

Thats funny thanks for posting Chunk! I actually did laugh out loud when I read the "to hell with this part" because I have already done that once or twice with other jobs.

I have small bedrooms with one wall textured in each so that will be a good place to try it out this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes...

MJ5150 · #19 11-18-2008, 10:02 AM

Unfortunately, this is how many DIY'ers go with drywall remodels. It looks easy, no expensive tools have to be bought, the materials are fairly priced, nothing looks all that heavy, on and on and on. So the DIY'er heads to HD or Lowes and embarks on the nightmare that is soon to be realized.

But hey, back in the day I made big money on finishing up a remodel started by a DIY'er. I would charge them first to clean up the mess they made, and then to do the actual job. In the end, it woud have been cheaper to just call me from the start.

-Mike

metron · #20 11-18-2008, 10:44 AM

Hmmmm.... point taken. Perhaps the wisest tip is to get an estimate on how much it will cose to have someone else do it.