A skimming spatula is a precision finishing tool used for smoothing and levelling plaster, jointing compounds, or fillers over large surface areas. Unlike traditional trowels, skimming spatulas have wide, flexible stainless steel blades that glide across the surface to reduce drag and leave a uniform, flat finish with minimal effort.

Skimming spatulas offer several key advantages over trowels when it comes to large surface preparation and finishing:

Wider coverage – Wider blades make them ideal for smoothing large areas quickly.

Superior control – Flexible blades and ergonomic handles help reduce wrist strain.

Flatter finishes – Minimise surface undulations and trowel marks.

Less fatigue – Lightweight and designed for extended use without compromising quality.

They’re ideal for achieving high-quality results with less physical effort.

REFINA skimming spatulas are available in a range of sizes to suit different surfaces and project types, including:

Small: Perfect for corners, reveals, and tight areas.

Medium: Ideal for walls and ceilings in standard rooms.

Large: Designed for covering wide walls or large surfaces quickly.

Choosing the right size depends on the area you’re working on and the level of detail required.

While they look similar, the two tools serve different purposes.

Skimming spatulas are more efficient for full-surface smoothing, while taping knives are ideal for joint filling and finishing.

Yes, skimming spatulas are suitable for use with most modern plaster types, including:

• Multi-finish and board finish plasters
• Jointing and patching compounds
• Gypsum-based plasters and fillers

Their wide, flexible blades make them a versatile choice for smooth, even coverage across different materials.

The X-SKIM is REFINA’s premium skimming spatula, engineered for professionals. It features:

• Flexible stainless steel & plastic blades – Delivers a flawless finish on walls and ceilings.
• Rigid aluminium frame – Ensures even pressure distribution.
• Ergonomic rubber grip – Provides comfort and control.
• Attachable extension pole – Ideal for reaching ceilings and high walls.

It’s designed for both speed and precision in drywall, plaster, and skim finishing.

Explore the 0.3mm X-Skim Roll Grip Spatula from REFINA or the 1.5mm X-Skim PLAZI Roll Grip Spatula.

Yes, REFINA offers replacement blades our skimming spatulas, including the X-SKIM range. These allow professionals to maintain a sharp, clean edge without having to purchase a whole new tool. Replacing blades helps prolong the lifespan of the handle and reduces downtime on site.

A notched spatula is used to evenly spread render base coats and adhesives, such as tile adhesive or flooring glue. The notches help to control the depth and distribution of the material, ensuring a reduction in air pockets, evening out high and low spots, and proper bonding when working with adhesives.

REFINA's T-Handle notched spatulas are particularly well-suited for rendering tasks, especially when applying base coats. Their ergonomic T-shaped handle offers enhanced grip and control, making them ideal for covering larger surface areas quickly and evenly. The notched edge ensures consistent material thickness and creates a reliable mechanical key for top coats to bond to, making them a trusted choice for professional renderers working with monocouche systems, EWI, or other multi-layer render applications.

Notched Spatulas

Notched Spatulas feature V, U or square-shaped notches. They're designed to remove air pockets, level out material, reduce high and low spots and provide a consistent surface preparation for render systems. Applications include spreading & levelling adhesives and mortars on floor, wall and ceiling installations.

Regular Spatulas

Regular Spatulas typically feature a smooth, straigth edge and are used for smoothing or finishing plaster and filler.

The notched spatula is a critical tool in tiling, flooring, rendering and plastering for precise application.

Notching tile adhesive helps create uniform ridges that collapse when a tile is pressed into place. This ensures:

• Full coverage under each tile
• Strong adhesion with fewer air pockets
• Level installation across the surface
• Correctly notched adhesive improves tile bond strength and longevity.

While hand trowels remain a staple in the trade, notched spatulas are growing in popularity for certain rendering applications, particularly when consistency and speed are key. A notched spatula can help:

• Achieve uniform material thickness
• Control product usage and reduce waste
• Improve surface coverage for better adhesion
• Create a textured base layer for finishing coats to bond to

It’s a must-have for any professional tiler or floor layer looking to achieve reliable, high-quality results.

The notches in the blade act as guides, helping to distribute material evenly and consistently across the surface. This ensures a strong mechanical key for subsequent layers, improves bond strength, and supports a flatter, more professional finish, reducing the risk of hollows, weak spots, or uneven application.