What's the difference between skim coating and drywall finishing?

Great question! The terms skim coating and drywall finishing are related but not exactly the same: Drywall Finishing – this refers to the entire process after drywall sheets are installed. It includes taping the seams, applying multiple coats of joint compound, sanding, and finishing to achieve a smooth, paint-ready surface. The levels go from Level 1 (basic tape) to Level 5 (perfectly smooth finish). Skim Coating – this is one specific technique within finishing. It involves applying a thin layer of joint compound (often across the entire wall or ceiling) to smooth out imperfections, cover old textures, or create a uniform surface. Skim coating is often used when you’re repairing existing walls (like after wallpaper removal), not just new drywall. 📌 Key difference: Finishing is the whole system of steps to complete drywall, while skim coating is a specialized method (usually the last step) to achieve a perfectly smooth surface. 👉 Tip for your kitchen: After removing wallpaper, protect your cabinets with plastic and painter’s tape, sand lightly with 80–100 grit, then apply skim coats in thin layers with sanding between. This avoids damage to cabinetry and leaves you with a modern, smooth finish. Best regards, Fortis Build Group

What I would do is, once all the wallpaper is removed, sand the existing surface with 80 or 100 grit, fix any issues with cracking or damage. Then start applying one thick and two thin skim coats of joint compound. Sandding in between coats. We don't see much plastering in modern homes these days. However, if your home is substantially older than 50 years, plaster may indeed be an option for you. Cabinetry and floors, as well as vents and furniture, need to be masked off with drop polly or covered in temporary protective coverings to prevent damage.

First, cover any areas that need protection. Remove wallpaper, sometimes you can just pull it and it will peel off, other times you need to wet it or steam it to remove it. If you have a lot of glue residue, remove any loose glue by sanding or scraping. Install new screws to drywall if any area doesn't feel tight to the joints. The very important thing is to prime the area with an oil-based primer to seal any glue residue. At last you fix any imperfections, make sure all the joints have paper tape or other type you prefer, like fiberglass tape. Plaster if that was not previously done and skim until the area is smooth without imperfections. Prime with a drywall primer and paint🙂