Preparation First
Cracks, loose material and porous patches are dealt with before skimming, not skimmed over.
Wall & Ceiling Skimming in Cape Town
A full skim, or a patch and skim where only parts of the wall have failed. Smooth out rough walls and ceilings before decorating. Our team prepares the surface and applies an even finish, so your rooms are ready for painting.
What We Do
Skimming For A Flawless Paint Finish
Paint does not hide a poor wall, it highlights it. Every ripple, trowel mark and patched repair shows up the moment light runs across the surface, which is why skimming is the step that decides how the finished room looks.
I.B.S Construction skims walls and ceilings to a smooth, even surface ready for painting or wallpaper. We do this on new plaster, on tired older walls that have been patched over the years, and on surfaces left rough by previous work.
Good skimming is mostly preparation: filling, sealing and getting the surface stable before the finish coat goes on. Rushing that stage is what causes crazing and peeling later.
What Is Included
What Skimming Involves
- Skimming over new plaster
- Re-skimming old and uneven walls
- Ceiling skimming and repairs
- Filling cracks and holes before skimming
- Removing loose and flaking material
- Sealing and priming porous surfaces
- Smoothing over patched repairs
- Preparing surfaces after wallpaper removal
- Feature and detail areas
- Corner and edge finishing
- Preparation for painting or wallpaper
- Dust control and site protection
Our Approach
Why Choose I.B.S Construction
Flat Under Any Light
We check surfaces the way daylight will read them, so ripples do not appear after painting.
Straight Into Painting
Our painting team can follow directly on, so the finish is not left to another contractor.
Skimming guides
Practical guides from our team, with real Cape Town pricing and what to expect on the job.
Our Projects
Recent Skimming Projects
Photographs from real I.B.S Construction jobs around Cape Town. Click any image to view it larger.
Explore More
Our Other Services
Every trade below is handled by the same I.B.S Construction team, so one project can run from structure to final finish without bringing in outside contractors.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you skim over an old, uneven wall?
Usually yes. We fill, stabilise and seal first, then skim. If the wall is badly blown or damp, we will tell you it needs re-plastering instead, because a skim over a failing surface will not hold.
How long does skimming take to dry before painting?
It needs to be fully dry before painting, and that depends on thickness, weather and ventilation. We give you a realistic figure for your job rather than a generic number.
Is skimming very messy?
There is dust and some splatter, so we protect floors and fittings and clean up as we go. Rooms usually need to be cleared of furniture or have it moved to the centre and covered.
Do I need skimming or full plastering?
Skimming is a thin finish coat over a sound surface. If the underlying plaster is hollow, cracked through or damp affected, plastering is the correct fix. We will assess it and tell you which you actually need.
