3 Best Joint Compounds For Skim Coating

Everybody wishes to have a nice-looking home.

There are several ways of making your home look great, and skim coating should be at the top of the list.

Skim coating is the best way to hide cracks, ridges, small spots, imperfections, and blemishes of your drywall.

This technique will make your surface uniform and more beautiful.

Joint compound is also known as drywall mud. You can use it to texture your drywall and make it more appealing.

However, selecting the right joint compound for skim coating is not an easy task based on my experience.

I had a rough time choosing the best joint compound when I wanted to rejuvenate my home.

However, that should not scare you as I have prepared a list of the 3 best joints compound for skim coasting, based on my experience.

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1. Regular all-purpose joint compound

This joint compound is a ready to use premixed compound that comes in either boxes or buckets.

What the tool can do

This joint compound is mostly used for finishing drywall seams, taping, and skim coating since it adheres strongly to surfaces.

Key specifications

  • It is very soft
  • Very easy to sand to hot mud

Key features

  • It is durable
  • It takes few hours to dry
  • Has heavy fillers

Pros

  • Durable
  • Good for taping
  • Excellent for skim coating

Cons

  • Not good enough for deep patches repair
  • Very heavy
  • Shrinks more

Why I included it

This joint compound drives hard anytime you want to crack a crumb, plus it can be used to repair seams on any drywall.

2. Lightweight mud

Lightweight mud is similar to regular all-purpose mud, but it is lighter.

What the tool can do

This joint compound can be used for topping and skim coating.

Key specifications

  • It is lighter
  • Ease of topping

Key features

  • It is premixed
  • Less shrinkage

Pros

  • Light in weight
  • Can sand easily
  • It uses eliminate taping and topping compound

Cons

  • It can be scratched easily
  • Less durable
  • Requires more drying time
  • Poor adhesion

Why did I include it

Its weight is 25% less than a regular all-purpose joint compound.

3. Quick setting joint compound

Quick setting joint compound is also known as hot mud.

What the tool can do

This joint compound is best when you have heavy fillings in drywall’s exterior and interior boards.

The bags are indicated with the setting time and not the drying period.

Key specifications

  • Superior bonds
  • Less in weight
  • It comes in powder form

Key features

  • Need mixing with water
  • Ease to mix

Pros

  • Quickset
  • Less shrinkage
  • Smooth finishing
  • Good for deep patch fix
  • Suitable for patchwork

Cons

  • Not ready to use
  • Has a less open time
  • Hard to sand

Why I included it

Quick setting joint compound allows you to finish the work quickly or when you want to apply several coats in a single day.

Bestseller No. 1
U S GYPSUM 380270072 U S Gypsum 380270 Quart Ready-To-Use Joint Compound, Off-White, 1.75 pt
  • This item is U S Gypsum #380270 Quart Ready-to-use joint Compound
  • Used for Painting Supplies Caulk & Sealants
  • This product is Manufactured in United States
  • Package Dimensions : 15.68" L x 10.48" W x 5.25" H
Bestseller No. 2
Dap 10102 Wallboard Joint Compound, 12-Pound
  • Dap wallboard joint compound (rtu) 12 pound tub - 441125
  • This is highly durable
  • This is manufactured in United states
  • Minimal shrinkage.
  • Sands easily.
Bestseller No. 3
LEVEL5 12" Drywall Compound Roller| 4-906
  • AUTHENTIC LEVEL5 BRAND >> If the quality and performance of your tools matters, choose LEVEL5.
  • EFFICIENT >> This tool will save you hours of work! A drywall compound roller is the most efficient way to get a large amount of drywall compound on walls and ceilings.
  • FLEXIBLE POLE ATTACHMENT >> Handle has been designed to snap tight onto LEVEL5 extendable skimming blade handles
  • ERGONOMIC >> The ½ inch thick reticulated composite nap on LEVEL5 joint compound roller covers has been specially designed so that it can be loaded with a large amount of compound - up to 50% more than other high nap rollers.
  • DURABLE HANDLE >> Solvent-resistant composite handle with a comfortable grip profile for all-day use. Sturdy steel 1/4" shank resists bending and has a, nickel plated for corrosion resistance.
Bestseller No. 4
Skimming Blade, 24’’ Smoothing Knife | Premium Wipe Down Knife | Finishing Knife | Drywall Knife, Made of Aluminum Alloy + European Stainless Steel, Acting on Sheetrock/Drywall/Gyprock/Wall-Board.
  • ⚒【Professional Tool】 Aircraft-grade aluminum housing, black back, 0.3mm high-quality European stainless steel blades. Zozen drywall skimming blades move mud effortlessly and with high sensitivity, enabling finishers to complete their jobs efficiently with consistent, professional results.
  • ⚒【Easy to Control】Designed for Europeans and Americans. Non-slip aluminum alloy grip, soft handle curve, fit the range of human hand, help to enhance the experience of use. ergonomic handle is lightweight, easy to hold, and allows you the right amount of control to render plaster and perfectly smooth drywall compound over joints and other areas.
  • ⚒【Needn‘t to replace blade】No need to replace the blade, after use, rinse off with water, just like clean.【TIPS】To protect your blade, all orders come with an edge guard to use during transit and in storage.
  • ⚒【Make People Shine】Our finishing tools are developed by professionals for professionals and guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Apply to smooth plaster, drywall compound, and achieve a drywall finish with less time and effort. No one is more dazzling than you.
  • ⚒【Available in 3 Lengths】16-Inch, 24-Inch, or 32-Inch skimming blades is perfect for smoothing larger areas. Of Course When finishing butt joints or slightly wider areas, 16-Inch, 24-Inch, or 32-Inch skimming blades are ideal and will get the job faster vs. smaller trowels or finishing knives.
Bestseller No. 5
U S Gypsum 384013 3.75QT Plus3 Compound, 3.5 qt, White to Off-White
  • This product adds a great value
  • Product is highly durable and very easy to use
  • This product is manufactured in China

So what’s The Best joint compound for skim coating?

Here are my top 3 picks of the best joint compound for skim coating

  1. Regular all-purpose joint compound
  2. Quick setting joint compound
  3.  Lightweight mud

However, if I had to pick just one, it would be a regular all-purpose joint compound because it is durable, thanks to its heavy fillers compared to other joint compounds.

Last update on 2023-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API