However, to put it simply, skimcoat is for more noticeable defects such as honeycombs and waviness on bare concrete. It's also used to give walls a smoother texture if the bare concrete is rough or bumpy. Putty is for minor imperfections such as hairline cracks and slight unevenness on a primed or painted wall.
Cons of the Skim Coats
Skim coating walls seems to be more tedious than expected. It can consume more time for those who aren't familiar with the steps used to repair walls. This process can also be intensive labor-wise and energy-consuming.
Skimcoat, putty, and patching compound—are these all the same? Some may think yes but the correct answer is no, they are not. Though they all are used to fix imperfections on concrete, they do not all pertain to one thing.
What is Wall Putty? Wall putty is a white cement-based powder made of polymer and other minerals that make the wall look smoother. It is primarily used to fill in cracks and holes in walls and prepare an even wall surface before applying paint.
Fillers and putty are DIY products which are used to remove unevenness from surfaces. The fillers are generally used to fill gaps and holes in walls and wood (often decayed wood). Putty is used to smooth relatively small uneven surfaces caused by screw holes, scratches or coarse materials.
If you are considering painting your putty, you're in luck — putty is a paint-friendly surface. When selecting the type of paint for your putty, opt for water-based acrylics or latex paints. Remember to always apply an even coat of primer and let it dry completely before applying your paint.
However, to put it simply, skimcoat is for more noticeable defects such as honeycombs and waviness on bare concrete. It's also used to give walls a smoother texture if the bare concrete is rough or bumpy. Putty is for minor imperfections such as hairline cracks and slight unevenness on a primed or painted wall.
Spackling is sometimes mistakenly used as a skim coat. But spackling isn't made for this application – it dries too quickly, doesn't spread smoothly and is hard to sand* to a fine finish on large areas. So, when looking for a smooth, paintable surface, let the spackle do its job: repairing small damage.
What are skim coats? Skim coats are fine mortars applied onto walls and ceilings to a thickness of 2–3 mm to create a flat, smooth and uniform surface, to be painted or re-textured. As a guide, you should apply at least two skim coat layers to achieve a smooth and consistent surface.
The first alternative is to use joint compound rather than skimming the surface with plaster. The compounds are for filling joints between plasterboard or any gaps and holes. However, you could use it to give an entire wall a smooth coat. You apply it with a trowel or putty knife.
Touching up old or unsightly walls – Walls can take a beating over time, and a skim coat is a great way to restore the like-new appearance of walls without completely replacing them.
Temperature and Humidity Changes: Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause materials to expand and contract. This movement can lead to cracks in plaster over time, especially if the plaster and the substrate have different rates of expansion and contraction.
In conclusion, the comparison between wall putty vs white cement shows that wall putty is best for achieving a smooth, paint-ready surface, while white cement is better suited for providing strength and durability. Both materials are essential but serve different functions in construction and surface preparation.
Concrete: Skim coating concrete surfaces can help to smooth out imperfections, create a level finish, and prepare them for painting or other treatments. Ceilings: Skim-coating ceilings can eliminate popcorn texture, repair cracks, and create a smooth, modern look.
Yes. If acrylic wall putty is being used then a primer coat is recommended before and after application of the putty. In case of cement-based putties or Polymer putty a coat of primer is recommended after application of the putty. The coat of primer helps in binding the putty to the wall.
A skim coat should be applied in thin, even layers. Each layer should be no more than 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick. Applying the joint compound too thickly can result in an uneven finish and longer drying times. If needed, it's better to apply multiple thin layers rather than a single thick layer.
However, lightweight spackling should be used only for smaller nail-hole repairs and dents, and not for medium-size or large repairs.
Can I skim with exterior filler? Yes! Our Exterior Skimcoat Filler range comes in powder or ready mixed version. It is designed for smoothing old or damaged render and can also be used to skim over masonry locally.
Level 5 // As you might have guessed, Level 5 is the gold standard. It's as smooth as you can get, or the highest finish possible. There are no bumps, no texture, and it's achieved by multiple skim coat layers that are finished with a good sanding.
Birla White's Wallseal Waterproof Putty is certified as 'Best Waterproof Putty' by Karvy Insights Limited. Birla White recently launched Wallseal Waterproof Putty, a white cement-based putty exhibiting two times water resistance.
First Coat: Apply the first coat of wall putty evenly on the wall. Drying Time: Let the first coat dry completely. Second Coat: Apply the second coat in the same way. The total thickness of both coats should not be more than 1.5 mm.
If you paint the putty straight away, as soon as it has a skin, the paint and putty will dry as one, resulting in a smooth and durable finish.
Acrylic and water-based, acrylic putty is perfect for applying on interior walls. It has long-lasting properties and a smooth texture that make it a preferable option when compared to POP. The walls are given a polished and impressive finish if you use good quality putty.
A general guideline is to allow the repair to dry overnight. For deeper repairs, apply in quarter inch layers, letting each layer dry overnight. This approach ensures thorough drying, even at the base of the patch, and prepares the surface for painting.