Perfectly Smooth Walls: A Skim Coating Tutorial

I’ve mentioned it a few times before, but I really do love a smooth wall. In every renovation we’ve done, I always lean toward a level five finish when it makes sense. It’s clean, simple, and timeless, and in my opinion, it makes everything else in a room feel a bit more tailored. I know smooth drywall can be a little intimidating, but once you see the method and results, it’s totally worth the effort. If you’ve ever wondered what a level five finish actually is or whether you can tackle skim coating yourself, I’m walking you through every step of the process in this post.

During our home office renovation, I received so many questions during the drywall portion of the process. While Emmett and I were in the midst of it, I figured it would be the perfect time to show you how to get a perfectly smooth finish- either on your own or with a contractor. Now you’ll know what to look for! Let’s get started…

Why Smooth Walls Are My Go-To

Smooth walls are one of those small upgrades that make a big difference. We’re always working to create a refined elevated look, and this is a detail I go back to often. A smooth finish allows the architecture, furnishings, and art to stand out, without competing with texture. If you’ve removed wallpaper or are working with patched drywall, skim coating is a great way to reset the surface and create a clean slate.

In the office renovation, the drywall was a mix of old and new. The original walls had leftover texture, lines from wallpaper removal, and a visible stripe running around the entire space where we had removed the chair rail. Since only half the sheetrock was newly installed, my goal was to skim coat everything to create one seamless finish. I wanted all the walls to match and look smooth, so we aimed for a level five finish across the entire room.

Understanding Drywall Levels

Before getting started, here’s a quick rundown of drywall finishing levels:

Level 0: Level zero means the drywall is just up on the wall or ceiling with nothing done to it yet. No mud, no tape – just exposed screws and joints. It’s the true starting point before any finishing begins.
Level 1: Level one means that the joint tape has been installed and mudded, but nothing else has been completed.
Level 2: This level means that you have skim coated a thin layer of joint compound over the tape and covered the drywall screws. If you’re planning to tile, it’s fine to stop at this level. Many tract homes receive this level in the garage.
Level 3: This stage indicates a solid coat of joint compound has been installed to the tape and screws. Walls that will receive a heavy texture (like knockdown), often stop at this level. Level 3 finishing is meant for a highly textured wall outcome.
Level 4: This is your classic drywall finish… the standard or norm. Level 4 receives an additional coat of joint compound to cover the tape, seams, screws, and has been sanded in between. This is the most common finish and can be painted or wallpapered nicely.
Level 5: As you might have guessed, Level 5 is the highest quality drywall finish you can get. It’s smooth from top to bottom, with no bumps or texture in sight. You get there by applying multiple thin layers of joint compound and finishing it all off with a thorough sanding. It takes time and a bit of patience, but the result is a clean, even surface that looks great under any paint color.

Tools and Materials We Use

Here’s everything we use to achieve a smooth, even finish:

Joint Compound (we like ultraweight)
Roller with a 3/4″ Nap, pictured above (the nap is important because it provides texture and rolls it on thick)
Skimming Blade (I have a 32″ for walls and a 12″ & 14″ for working around outlets and windows)
Sanding Pads (I use 220 and 180)
Drill with Mixer Attachment
Bucket with a Lid (to keep it from drying out in between passes)

How We Skim Coat

Before jumping in, let’s talk about the blade. The longer your skim coating blade is, the smoother and flatter your walls will turn out. We used our trusty 32 inch blade here, but if your walls are especially uneven or bumpy, start with a 24 inch blade to tackle those tricky spots first. Once that’s done, you can move up to the longer one to even everything out. Alright, let’s walk through the skim coating process together step by step.

Add Water to Joint Compound for Smooth Walls

Step 1: Mix the Joint Compound

Start by mixing your joint compound with water until it has the consistency of thick cake batter. I usually eyeball it instead of measuring. Use a power drill with a mixer attachment to blend it all together until smooth and lump-free.

Step 2: Roll on the Mud

Once your joint compound is mixed to the right consistency, it’s time to roll it onto the wall. I use a roller with a 3/4 inch nap to apply the mud in sections. I like to work in about a 32 inch wide area at a time, covering half the wall height. That helps keep the compound from drying out too fast while I’m working. The nap adds just enough texture, which makes it easier to smooth with the blade in the next step.

Below is a closer look at the texture the roller leaves behind. It looks kind of scary, as we’re going for perfectly smooth walls- but the key is working in thin, layered coats.

Step 3: Smooth with the Skim Blade

Now it’s time to smooth things out. Using your skim coating blade, apply firm and even pressure as you sweep across the section you just rolled. The goal here isn’t to build up material, it’s to remove the excess and flatten the surface. I always work in sections and stick with thin, consistent layers. Think of it like icing a cake, you want a smooth finish, not a thick one.

Step 4: Use Long, Even Sweeps

I always hold the blade at a sharp angle and try to work fast because the joint compound dries quicker than you’d think. For the best results, I move the blade in long, smooth sweeps without lifting it from the wall. If your walls need more than one coat, and most do, I like to switch directions between layers. I’ll go up and down for the first, then side to side for the second. The key is keeping your motion consistent and fluid the whole time.

Step 5: Keep Moving and Clean as You Go

After finishing one section, I move right on to the next using the exact same steps. I always clean my blade between sections since the joint compound dries fast and a clean blade makes all the difference. It helps me keep the finish smooth and even across the entire wall.

Step 6: Reload and Stay Consistent

I refill my paint tray with joint compound before starting each new section. To keep things smooth and avoid drying out mid-project, I like using a bucket with a lid. It keeps the consistency just right while I work. I also prefer mixing a big batch all at once, it saves time and cuts back on cleanup.

Step 7: Apply Additional Coats and Finish the Corners

Once the walls are dry, we go back in with another layer. In the office, we did three total coats, one each day. The surface was already fairly smooth, so that was enough to get us to a level 5 finish. After the main walls are done, we use a corner trowel to coat the inside corners so everything blends evenly. Then we let the final coat dry completely for a full day before giving it a thorough sanding to get that super smooth finish we’re after.

Expert Tips & Takeaways

The longer the blade, the smoother your finish
Mix more joint compound than you think you’ll need so you don’t have to remix mid-project
Keep your tools clean between passes to avoid dragging dry compound across the wall
Don’t panic about the color or tone of the drywall once skim coated, primer evens everything out

When to Use a Level Five Finish

A level five finish isn’t always necessary, but it really shines in certain spaces. We love using it in rooms that get a lot of natural light or areas where we want a minimal, clean look. If you’re working with a contractor, make sure you specifically ask for level five, since most homes get a level four by default. Check out this post on tips for finding, hiring, and managing reliable contractors!

Maintenance and Painting

After sanding and priming, your smooth walls are ready for paint. I always recommend starting with a good quality primer to give your paint a true base. We usually wait a full day after sanding before priming, just to make sure everything is fully dry and settled.

FAQ

What’s the difference between skim coating and just patching or painting?

Skim coating gives you a smooth, uniform surface across the entire wall. Patching only fixes small areas and usually leaves subtle inconsistencies. If you want walls that are smooth from edge to edge without texture or dips, skim coating is the way to go. Painting over rough walls won’t hide flaws, it’ll highlight them.

Is this a DIY project or something I should hire out?

If you’re comfortable with tools and have the time, you can absolutely tackle it yourself. Just know it’s labor intensive and a bit messy. I personally like doing it because I can control every part of the process, but if you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with sanding dust, it’s totally worth hiring a pro. Just be sure to talk through the finish level beforehand. Not all contractors default to level 5.

What’s the biggest mistake to avoid when skim coating?

Rushing the process. I’ve learned that trying to skim too much wall at once or skipping blade cleaning can really affect the outcome. It’s better to work in smaller sections and keep everything clean and consistent. Also- don’t skip sanding between coats, those tiny imperfections can really show once it’s painted.

Looking for more posts that walk you through achieving professional-level finishes in your home without hiring it all out? I’ve shared a handful of helpful tutorials that will make your next renovation project a little smoother, I’ll link them for you below!

If you’ve been thinking about smoothing your walls, I hope this helps you get started. Whether you’re doing it yourself or just want to understand the process, a skim coat can really transform a space. We’ve done this in several rooms and I always love the end result. Let me know if you have any questions about tools, materials, or technique. I’m happy to share more details as we finish up the office.

The post Perfectly Smooth Walls: A Skim Coating Tutorial appeared first on Room For Tuesday.