Skim Coat Problems?
Can't Get the Finish You Want?
Get Help Here.

Types of Questions

I will answer

Any questions relating to plastering technique, materials or anything to do with plastering yourself.

I cannot answer

To avoid being drawn into arguments - I cannot answer questions relating to work that plasterer's have carried out.




If you're having skim coat problems and cannot get the finish you want this is where you can ask a question.

Before you do just check the Previously Asked Questions first as the answer may already be there.

Skim Coat didn't turn out right?

If you're unhappy with the finish - try and resolve your problem here.

Previously Asked Questions

Click on any of the following to view the related Questions and Answers

Plastering Small Walls 
hi paul, I was just wondering if you have any advise for plastering smaller walls? I can get good results on larger walls but seem to struggle with smaller …

Small dips here and there 
Hi there, im able to achieve a quite polished finish but I keep getting shallow dips, most are smallish. I just wondered am I doing something wrong. They …

wavy finish 
When attempting to skim on plasterboard it seems to dry with waves in, as though the water has got through to the paper and caused it ripple. Frankly, …

Can skim be affected by water that is too cold?  
Skimming yesterday in very cold temperatures the skim was going 'furry', not behaving in the normal manner. Impossible to get a perfect finish. Going setting …

Skimmimg over an old high gloss, oil based paint 
I want to skim the toilet in my 1927 built house, but unfortunately the walls are painted in the old fashioned oil based gloss paint. What is the best …

stripes 
I have been plastering for over ten years and over the past year I have developed a problem when skimming. When I skiiim stripes begin to appear and it …

cracking on new plaster Not rated yet
We have been working on 2 different walls. 1 of the walls shows some patchy cracks while other is are ok with the same mix. what do you think is the problem …

Skimming strip at side of door. Not rated yet
Hi Great videos for learning. I am struggling with skimming a strip (about 1.5 times width of trowel) down side of door. Difficult to get at and can’t …

Carnt get smooth finish  Not rated yet
Ever time I plaster a wall it looks good but when u touch it it feels ruff Answer A trowel up (smoothing with your trowel) in the final stages, …

Can skimming be affected by wallpaper paste residue Not rated yet
After removing wallpaper and getting rid of as much wallpaper paste residue as possible I am wondering if any that is left will affect the skimming. Should …

ONLY ONE COAT Not rated yet
Hi This is probably an easy one to solve for professional plasterers. While skimming I completed only a single coat on one third of the wall. I was called …

Problem Plastering Ceilings  Not rated yet
Hi I can't seem to get the same finish as I do when plastering a ceiling. Walls are absolutely fine. No problem. However when I plaster a ceiling it's …

Adding more skimming later Not rated yet
My first skimming project is on plasterboard in window reveals. I have beads on the corner but no guides on the frame. The multi finish is wavy not straight …

Uneven finish Not rated yet
I have plastered and am unhappy with the finish it is un even and looks really bad, can I plaster over the top, I have put a coat of paint on the wall? …

The Skim Coat Drying too quickly Not rated yet
Hi I am new to plastering and have found issues with it going off too quick although I have used PVA. Is this because I am applying it too thinly and …

Plaster cracked  Not rated yet
Hi Paul I have been plastering my bathroom and although I am going to tile it I wanted the practice of plastering. What I noticed was half the wall …

Too Hot Not rated yet
Skimming new wall and the plaster is going off too quick, the first wall was very small and was lovely, but the second wall i could not keep up! Also …

Re-Skimming Plasterboard again!! Not rated yet
Hi I have just skimmed over plasterboards and now have pockets of air in the skimmed surface. It seems as if the paper has come away from plasterboard …

Re skimmed plaster cracking Not rated yet
We have recently built an Orangery and used a plasterer we have used before but on a small conservatory, the Orangery being a bigger area to plaster. After …

Click here to write your own.

All rights reserved. No part of this online plastering guide may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author. Copyright © Paul Harper DIY Plastering 2015


The author cannot accept liability for the use of any of the materials or methods recommended in this manual or for any consequences arising out of their use. The author cannot guarantee the suitability of any recommendations made in this manual and shall not be under any legal liability of any kind in respect of or arising out of the content of this guide.