Our Services
Skimming
A skim coat is the thin, final layer of plaster that turns a rough or patched wall into a smooth, paint-ready surface.
Skimming is the finishing skill that separates a professional plastering job from a DIY patch-up. A thin coat, usually 2 to 3mm, is trowelled over plasterboard or an existing base coat and worked to a hard, glass-smooth finish that shows every flaw in the light if it is rushed, and none at all if it is done properly.
Russ has been skimming walls and ceilings across the Kent and East Sussex border since 2009, on everything from single-room refreshes to full new-build fit-outs. The plaster is mixed to the right consistency for the job, applied in even passes, and trowelled to a polished key ready for paint or paper, with no visible joints, trowel marks, or dry patches.
Skimming is also the standard fix for tired, cracked, or discoloured walls in older properties. Rather than patching problem areas, a full skim resets the whole surface to new-build quality, which is often the more cost-effective route once you account for the time spent trying to blend patch repairs into old paintwork.
Signs You Need Skimming
- Hairline cracks reappearing after every repaint
- Rough or uneven walls that show shadows under angled light
- Old textured or Artex ceilings you want brought back to flat
- New plasterboard that needs its finishing coat before decoration
- Patchy, powdery, or flaking plaster on older walls
Why Choose Us
- 25+ years of hands-on skimming experience, trading as R Kenward Plastering Contractors since 2009
- 5.0 rating from 11 Google reviews
- Clean, dust-managed working practice, floors and furniture protected throughout
- Free, no-obligation quotes with the option of a FaceTime walkthrough before booking
Our Process
- 1
Survey the surface and prep: dust down, seal porous patches, and protect flooring and fittings
- 2
Mix plaster to the correct consistency for the substrate
- 3
Apply the first coat evenly across the wall or ceiling
- 4
Apply a second thin coat while the first is still workable, then trowel to a smooth, flat finish
- 5
Final polish pass with water and trowel once the plaster has taken up, leaving a hard, paint-ready surface
Skimming FAQs
Skimming is the process of applying a thin, final coat of plaster, typically 2 to 3mm, over plasterboard or a base coat to create a smooth, hard, paint-ready surface. It is the standard finishing technique used on new-build walls and ceilings, and the most effective fix for tired, cracked, or uneven older plaster.