Repairing Bad Spackling Job

dlc3172

Hi!

I have a wall that someone did a lousy drywall job on. So, apparently, someone tried to hide it with a lously spackling job. They spackled over the wall in lots of places to try to make it look better, I guess, but it probably made it look even worse. Now there is lumpy spackle all over, which has been painted over. Any suggestions for the best solution? Should I scrape and sand, and then spackle any small holes, and then just finish with a skim-coat of compound for the whole wall to make it all smooth and even? Thanks!

Stanchek

That sounds like exactly what I would do.

dlc3172

Thanks. I've never really skim-coated before, and I see that there are different kinds of compounds. I guess different types for 1st coat, 2nd coat, etc? Can you recommend which I need for the job I described?

Stanchek

If your going to skim the entire wall, I recommend using the light weight compound that comes in the boxes. I usually thin it down a bit with water just to get a smoother easier to work with compound. Just dump the box of mud in a five gallon bucket, get a drill with a mixing paddle and slowly mix in water until it thins down a bit. It makes floating the walls a lot easier.

bjbatlanta

I'd recommend regular ready mix if you're going to "glaze coat" the entire surface. The lightweight is too "soft" and will scratch/ding more easily. Some swear by it, but I don't use or recommend it...

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Leah Frances

I'm only a DIYer, but I've now done a ton of skim coating in my house. The ready mix does NOT dry hard enough for wide application, especially in high traffic areas you'll see dents/dings/scratches. It also seems more likely to develop micro-fine air bubbles that leave a porous feeling/looking surface.

The stuff in the bag isn't that difficult to use and gets a noticeably better result.

If you're doing a large area, it's cheaper too!

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bjbatlanta

Agreed the setting type compound is the "hardest" and I personally would use it for the first coat, but I'd use ready mix for the final "tight" skim. Ready mix is often the easiest for the DIY'er and regular is better than lightweight.....

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kuj0317

Instead of skim coating, I use FirstCoat and have had good results.

BigGuy01

1st Scrape it off
2nd. Sand everything down.
3rd, redo it.

jarheadoo7

sheetrock 45 baby.. or if your quick durabond 5 ! have fun gettin muddy.. and when you float use the body of the blade not just the edge.. kinda rock it..