Paint does not hide an uneven surface; it highlights it. Skimming is not a quick layer of filler but a way of creating a new flat surface. Premium paint cannot make up for poor preparation, and white walls are not automatically cheaper or easier. Understanding these points helps you read quotes and set realistic expectations for the result.
Myth: a good paint will hide the imperfections
Paint is a thin film that follows the surface underneath. A thicker or more expensive paint covers colour better, but it does not fill hollows or flatten bumps. In fact, as the finish becomes more uniform in colour, the shape of the wall becomes more visible, because the eye is no longer distracted by patches and marks.
If the problem is the wall itself, whether gotelé, old repairs or a wave, the solution is to change the surface before painting. That is what wall skimming does.
Myth: skimming is just a layer of filler
Skimming is often described as “a bit of plaster over the top”, which undersells it. A proper skim involves removing loose material, repairing cracks and corners, sealing the surface so it absorbs evenly, building up a flat layer, sanding it with dust extraction and checking it under raking light. Each stage affects the final result.
A skim done in a hurry can look acceptable at first and then show ridges, edges around sockets and frames, or fine cracks. The difference between a quick skim and a good one is mostly in the preparation and the checking, which is also where quotes differ most.
Myth: one coat is enough with modern paint
Some paints advertise high coverage, and on a wall that is already sound, primed and similar in colour, coverage can be good. But new filler, patched areas and a change from a dark colour to a light one all need proper priming, and the finish needs to be built up until it looks uniform under all lighting conditions.
The number of coats is not a goal in itself; the result is. A painter who promises a fixed number of coats regardless of the wall is guessing. Our guide on interior painting preparation explains why priming matters.
Myth: white walls are always the simple option
White is popular for good reasons: it reflects light, suits most furniture and makes spaces feel larger. But pure white is also the least forgiving colour on an imperfect wall, because the even reflection shows every shadow cast by a bump. A soft off-white can be kinder to older walls and to strong coastal light.
White also shows marks more readily in busy areas such as hallways and children’s rooms, so the choice of finish, from matt to more washable sheens, matters. We discuss these practical points when you choose colours for interior painting.
Myth: you can always skim straight over gotelé
Skimming over gotelé is a standard method, but not every textured wall is suitable as it stands. Loose or flaking texture must be removed first, and some surfaces need sealing before a skim will bond. In other cases, the texture strips easily and skimming over it would simply waste material.
The right approach depends on a test on the wall. Our gotelé removal page explains how we decide. For a broad view of what drives the cost of this kind of work, see presupuestoreforma.eu.
Myth: the painter can sort out damp at the same time
Stains, peeling paint and black spots in corners are often blamed on the old paint. Usually they are symptoms of something else: condensation in rooms with poor ventilation, a leak from a pipe or the flat above, or moisture coming through an external wall. Repainting with an anti-mould product may make the wall look better for a while, but the problem returns because its cause is still there.
A responsible painter treats the surface and tells you honestly when the cause lies elsewhere. In holiday homes that are closed for months, condensation is particularly common, and simple changes in ventilation make a bigger difference than any paint. Where water is getting in from outside or from a neighbour, the source needs fixing first.
Myth: preparation is where you can save
When a quote seems high, it is tempting to ask for less preparation and the same paint. In practice preparation is where the result is made. Reducing it saves a little at the start and costs more later, because the defects that were not treated become visible and the walls need to be redone sooner. If you need to reduce the scope, it is usually better to do fewer rooms properly than all rooms superficially.
Bauman Raymond Attila · Quitar Gotelé Málaga · Avenida Antonio Belón 3, Marbella. Last reviewed: 05/11/2026.
