And what is this material and can I paint or skim it?

[mike42]

Just stripped wallpaper from early 90s decorated room. Underneath was paint which came off very easily. Underneath that is a mostly very sound, very smooth grey substrate/render. Its a sold either brick or block wall behind.

Is this cement render? Its very smooth. Can I paint it directly and could I skim it (since there are few imperfections etc). If skimming or painting what prep? Just pva as usual for skim? Would it stick?

The dark streaks in the pic is just water from the wallpaper stripping.

Cheers in advance for any advice.

 

[Alastairreid]

It can be primed and painted or skimmed, just the usual pva prep will be fine.

 

[mike42]

Thanks a lot for that. Is it just cement render? How do they polish it so smooth ?