How do I change my wall texture to smooth?

Author: Alessia Murray Sr.  |  Last update: Thursday, October 2, 2025

How to Smooth Textured Walls
  1. Step 0 – Prep.
  2. Step 1 – Apply a coat of drywall mud to the wall.
  3. Step 2 – Let it dry completely.
  4. Step 3 – Lightly sand between coats.
  5. Step 4 – Apply a second coat.
  6. Step 5 – Sand smooth.
  7. Step 6 – Prime.

How to get rid of bumpy wall texture?

Sand it down heavily and then skim coat with drywall mud, when that dries lightly sand the mudded spots. Repeat until it hits the texture you want. Prime it and paint it - if you roll the paint on, it will actually add a bit of texture back to the wall from the nap of the roller.

How much does it cost to skim coat textured walls?

Expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 per 500 square feet to remove or skim coat over wall texture, depending on the type of drywall texture you want.

What do you put on the wall to make it smooth?

Wall putty is an essential material for preparing your walls before painting. It helps to create a smooth and even surface, ensuring that your paint job looks flawless.

Can I sand down textured walls?

You can definitely sand down the high points of the texture. I definitely did that and it helped. I recommend a large orbit sander for that initial work as hand sanding is pain and super time-consuming. It's just really hard to build up thick enough coats of mud to cover those high marks in the texture.

How to DESTROY YOUR SKIM COAT with TOUCH UPS!!!😭

Can textured walls be smoothed?

The process of smoothing textured walls with skim coating is fairly common. It refers to spreading a layer of joint compound over the walls to fill in the bumps and valleys in the texture, effectively creating a smooth surface.

What is the best sander for bumpy walls?

If you want to sand an entire wall, random orbit sanders are your best option. The combination of oscillating and rotating movements from the sanding disc helps you achieve incredibly smooth finishes. A random orbit sander is also most suited to larger surfaces.

How do you smooth a wall easily?

Use a paint scraper to remove excess plaster around fittings and borders. Allow the first layer to dry and sand to remove any texture before repeating the same steps for the second layer. Once completely dry, sand the wall down with fine grit paper and you will have smooth walls, ready to be painted or papered.

Is there a primer that smooths walls?

Smooth Finish: No one wants bumpy, patchy walls. PVA drywall primer smooths out inconsistencies in texture, making the final result look silky smooth.

How to skim coat over textured walls?

Let's dive in.
  1. Step 1: Gather the skim coating materials before you begin. ...
  2. Step 2: Prep the wall. ...
  3. Step 3: Thin the joint compound. ...
  4. Step 4: Apply the joint compound. ...
  5. Step 5: Sand the wall. ...
  6. Step 6: Repeat the process if necessary. ...
  7. Step 7: Finish the wall.

Is smooth wall texture expensive?

If you're hiring a local drywall contractor and have selected a simple drywall texture—like “smooth”—you can expect to pay the range of prices listed in the tables above, with an average of about $1.35 per square foot. For smaller rooms, contractors may add a convenience fee to ensure the project is worth their time.

What is the coverage of 1 bag of skim coat?

Coverage Depending on surface conditions, A 20kg bag covers about 12-14m². Clean Up Clean all tools with water immediately after use.

How long does skim coat last?

Skim coating can last for about a decade. But they will need constant repair and renovation. Although the task is a tedious one with a lot of time required, if done without a single error the restoration can make the walls look all good as new again.

Can I skim coat a wall myself?

Returning your walls to the look and feel of a smooth plaster after years of wear and tear or texturing can seem like a challenge best suited for a professional. But with the right tools, materials, and methods, skim coating can be a cost-effective DIY project to make your interior look like new again.

What is the name of the bumpy wall texture?

Popcorn (also named as cottage cheese texturing) textured wall has rough and bumpy surface. It is made using dry mix of drywall mud and polystyrene. It has a better acoustic control compared to smooth surface wall because of the thick texture mix.

How to remove stucco from interior walls?

In either case, the process of removing stucco from a wall is the same. First, workers will use a hammer to loosen a small area of the stucco, which can then be removed with the help of a chisel or pried away with a crowbar. The goal is to create a medium-sized hole for a circular saw to then be used.

What product smooths rough walls?

Polycell Polyfilla SmoothOver for Damaged & Textured Walls is the easy way to create a perfect foundation for a great finish. Its special self-levelling formula fills between ridges and bumps and covers cracks and large areas of damage giving a smooth finish that's ready to paint.

How do you fix walls that are not smooth?

How to Fix Uneven Walls
  1. Cover it With Paint. If your freshly painted wall is slightly uneven, painting over the low areas might be all you need to smooth things out. ...
  2. Sand Down the High Spots. ...
  3. Plaster Over the Low Spots. ...
  4. Apply Elastomeric Wall Coating. ...
  5. Replace or Add Drywall. ...
  6. Learn More About Wall Installation and Repair.

What is a smoothing primer?

Velvet Finish™ Smoothing Primer extends the wear of makeup while mattifying shine. This professional formula instantly blurs imperfections, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and pores for a flawless, velvety smooth complexion. With light diffusing properties, it creates the perfect canvas for makeup application.

How to smooth textured walls without sanding?

You have two options for this: you can roll the mud on in small sections and then smooth it out with your drywall knife, or you can simply use your drywall knife to apply the mud as you go. I have used both methods, and both have their merits.

What is the best tool for smoothing walls?

Plastering Trowels

The most essential tool for any plasterer is a trowel. You'll use this tool to apply the plaster to the wall or ceiling, and a good trowel should be comfortable to hold and have a flat, smooth surface.

How to cover a bumpy wall?

Here are seven unique ways of covering, repairing, hiding or simply turning the wall damage to your advantage:
  1. Temporary Wallpaper – Easy Solution. ...
  2. Wall Tiles for Lasting Impression. ...
  3. Tile Decals – Redecorating Tiled Walls. ...
  4. Wall Decals – Let the Walls Speak. ...
  5. Tapestry & Curtains – Your Signature Theme. ...
  6. Art Accent Wall.

How do you get rid of bumpy wall texture?

  1. Method 1: Soak and Scrape. The soak-and-scrape method is most effective in removing texture when the walls have never been painted. ...
  2. Method 2: Apply a Skim Coat on Textured Walls. Smooth out textured painted walls by covering the texture in a joint compound—also known as a skim coat. ...
  3. When to Call a Professional.

How do you smooth rough interior walls?

How to achieve perfectly smooth walls
  1. Fill walls and paint. ...
  2. Fill walls, prime and paint. ...
  3. Skim fill walls, prime and paint. ...
  4. Skim a new coat of plaster and repaint. ...
  5. Spray filler on walls and repaint. ...
  6. Fill walls and cross line.

Can you sand down bumpy walls?

If your plaster is in relatively good condition, and it is just a few bumps and hairline cracks which are causing issues, sanding first is a good option to try. It will work with minor imperfections and give your entire wall a good smooth surface ready for painting.

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