Render problem

So it is time to paint my old cottage.

I've had a trouble area for a year or so and had to wait for some other building work to be done before tackling the painting. I've started on the hairline cracks, but the trouble area is a issue.

I have scrapped off the peeling paint and unstable surface render and below is now stable solid render. I think it's lime render that the old owners painted in non breathable paint. I have taken it back to solid, but the surface is pitted and uneven in places (see pics).

My question is how to I make it smooth? Will a thin layer of hydraulic lime render be thick enough?

Or is there anything else I can do before repainting.

Thanks for your help

Gavin

Could be difficult to smooth out, and if you dig it deeper it can be hard to blend in a patch.