As a Professional Decorator, the rise in popularity of roll-on fillers over the last couple of years has been a revelation to me. Dalapro Roll Nova has meant I can skim walls that I would otherwise have needed a plasterer for.
Hundreds, if not thousands of tradesmen and homeowners around the UK are now using roll-on filler products, but what is the best skimming blade to use? I’ve tried loads now; some are cheap and leave tram lines in the filler. Others cost £200 or more, which isn’t viable for most people.
The Prep AluFlex Skimming Blades from Ciret are a happy medium, and probably the best available.
Product Details
- Manufacturer – Ciret.
- Uses – Applying and smoothing filler inside or out. Great for skimming full walls.
- Used by – Professional Decorators, Drywallers, Plasterers, and high-end DIY.
- Sizes – 6 sizes available, ranging from 180mm – 1000mm.
- Price range – from £20 – £100 depending on size and supplier.
- Available from – Many suppliers, including Decorating Centre Online and TopDec.
My Prep AluFlex Skimming Blades Review
As a Decorator, I’m a little bit of a tool tart, so I like to have the best products I can get hold of. I was one of the first in the country to start using Dalapo Roll Nova, after securing some before it was widely available.
I’ve tried a few different skimming blades over the last couple of years, and the Prep AluFlex Skimming Blade is the best I have used to date, which is why I’m choosing to review it.
It has a very thin blade with rounded edges. This is important because it means you can use a brand-new blade and avoid track marks. The blades themselves have just the right amount of flex in them, so they have enough backbone to apply the product, but they’re soft enough to spread the material without taking it all off again.
You can easily replace the blades, which is another big bonus. If you’ve ever done this type of work, you’ll know that you can chink blades or get scratches in them, then they don’t work as well. Replacing the blade every 4 or 5 uses keeps on top of the issue.
Other things to mention are that it’s comfortable to hold, well balanced, and less than half the price of a lot of the alternatives that are a comparable quality.
Where Skimming Blades Should be Used
You can use skimming blades like the Prep AluFlex for general filling / prep when decorating a room, but it’s easier to use a conventional filling knife for jobs like that. However, skimming blades are perfect for surface filling over large areas and patching. Traditionally, Decorators would use a spatula for this type of work, but filling blades are a lot more comfortable and easier to use.
It’s skimming full walls where skimming blades become essential. You couldn’t tackle jobs like that with filling knives or spatulas, or you’d never achieve a flat finish. Don’t attempt this type of work unless you have a skimming blade.
Review Summary
Prep AluFlex Skimming Blades Review - Decorator's forum UK
Skimming blades used by Decorators, Dry-liners, and DIYers.
Product Brand: Ciret UK
4.7
Pros
- Thin blades.
- Rounded corners to avoid tram lines.
- Very reasonably priced.
- Well made.
- Just the right amount of backbone.
- Changeable blades.
Cons
- Not really widely available.
FAQs
What size skimming blade is best?
I’d recommend two sizes, depending on the job at hand. For general filling you should use 180mm, which is nice and easy to control. For skimming full walls, 580mm is about perfect.
What is the best tool to skim walls?
This depends on the material you’re using. Most plasterers use a trowel to apply products like multi finish. If you are using roll on filler, then I can recommend the Prep AluFlex Skimming Blade.
Is skimming better than plastering?
You can achieve the same finish by skimming with roll on filler as you can with multi-finish, but it’s easier for a beginner to work with.
Can you use skimming blades with any type of filler?
You certainly can, although filling knives are probably more suitable for general filling.
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