Can I use joint compound to make the wall smooth for texture and then put a prime and then the final paint ?

I have the texture of that bumpy-ness and wavyness, i don't like that texture, i want my walls to be smooth, is it safe or okay to apply joint compound to make it smooth? i've heard you can and then you can't, i've heard it cracks and falls, but then i hear to not leave joint compound as your last coat, which of course i'm not going to do, i need to do the whole inside of the house and if i can apply it and make the texture smooth, then a prime, then a final coat which will then be the color? First time doing this but i've been doing research before i do this, sorry if i sound like i'm repeating myself lol i just want to make sure i'm getting everything in there!Can I use joint compound to make the wall smooth for texture and then put a prime and then the final paint ?
It sounds as though you have artexed walls, in which case the best remedy is to have them re plastered. This is a skilled job and very difficult to do well if you haven't done it before. Ask a plasterer for a quote.Can I use joint compound to make the wall smooth for texture and then put a prime and then the final paint ?
Clean the walls with TSP. Do one coat scraping the excess joint compound off the surface. Let dry at least 8 hours. Keep applying coats and letting it dry. Once you have it smooth(which you can do by sanding or damp sponge which I prefer since there is less dust) you can prime the walls....let dry and paint.
What thickness will be needed to fill the voids? If their is cracking in the textured walls you will need to control them, ';joint tape';.


Make sure walls are not waxy or even slightly greasy. If possible, sand extremely high spots down a little. Coat walls with a primer.


If most of wall area will take 1/8 inch application for fully filling, you should be OK. Maybe a deeper spot here and there. If thicker application is required, you should look into other wall covering products.





Prep is important to success. Better safe than sorry. You heard that one before.
If the the wall surface is flat and clean you can begin right away to apply a coating. If it is stained with nicotine it should be cleaned with TSP first or primed before mudding with a stain hiding primer so the stain does not leach through.


Rather than use wall compound for the project you would acheive a stronger result using Thin Set.


Also, Thin Set does not shrink like wall compound does so you can be done with one application and one surface smoothing. Thin Set is a powder that needs to be mixed so a strong drill is needed and a mixing rod. Thin Set comes in various drying time ranges i.e. 30 minute, 45 minute, 90 minute and such. Pick a longer drying time so you can do one wall before your abutting edges start to dry. Use good stainless steel trowels and blades for application and of different widths.


Make up only as much as you can use before it dries and keep covered with a wetted towel or paper towel or such and use a tray to hold the batch you using at the moment. Have a wet cloth handy for wiping off your tools as needed.


Do not apply big globs of material; you are only applying a skim coat to level.


Imperfections can be smoothed with a wet sponge. To sand the entire wall surface get a swiveling sanding plate to hold the sandpaper or for less dust that open checkered sheet for smoothing compounds. This is screwed onto a stick for long reach and ease.


After the Thin Set or compound has cured (let it rest for a day if you have the time) it willhave to be primed with a good quality primer B-I-N is a good fast drying shellac primer that will seal, prime and be ready to paint almost immediately but your paint dealer can recommend many others adn BIN as a strong odor , if that matters. A thicker primer will add to a smooth surface.


The primer coat should be uniform in appearance before top coating. Most primers can be tinted to create a base closer to the color you will be painting the walls.


You should be satisfied with each step of the process before going to the next. Do not rely on step 4 to fix step 2 and such. Have good strong, plastic drop clothes secured well and a moving work mat for under your mud bucket , paints and such. It makes for a neater job and you feet won't be walking on spilled stuff. The 3 foot wide rolls of plastic work well. Any mud that gets onto trim or places you don't want it clean it immediately, it is much easier than doing it later.


The advantage of premixed compound is that it is already mixed. It is more convenient but Thin Set is better. The second advantage of premixed is it can be time saving unless it shrinks too much and you have to reapply. Doing the whole house, have good strong tools to help you. A job like this is also really good to do if you are a dancer and a the right tempo of music can make it go better. After all this work, use a high quality paint; it doesn't have to be expensive but don't go too cheap.