How to level areas of a wall that had peeling paint removed

paint

In our bathroom, we have 'thick' peeling paint on a section of a wall. I started to peel off big pieces…and have stopped where it doesn't come off easily. Now I'm left with a wall that is partially covered in a layers of paint and partially bare…just showing plaster.

So, the two surfaces are not level. What can I use to level the bare parts of the wall upto the thickness of the painted areas?

Best Answer

A skim coat of drywall mud ("joint compound" when you are shopping - "mud" to anyone that uses it, normally.) Fill with a small (not wide) knife first, let it dry, scrape or sand any high spots (leveling), fill again with a wider knife, dry, scrape or sand any high spots, fill again with a yet wider knife (4, 8, 12" is my usual progression of knife sizes.)

Don't overwork trying to get it perfect when wet. If it's imperfect in the low direction when dry and leveled, do another coat (and let it dry, and level it) until it's as perfect as you need it to be. Strong, glaring light from the side will help to spot imperfections.