How to Prepare Your Walls Before Painting
According to research, people paint their homes every five to ten years, and the times vary depending on which room is being painted. Are you within that five—to ten-year period, or perhaps you just want to change things up a bit? Since you landed on this page, you must wonder about proper wall preparation before painting.
A fresh coat of paint is one of the best ways to give your home a fresh look. It’s also one of the quickest and most affordable DIY projects.
That said, interior painting is much more complicated than you might think. You can’t just open a can of paint and expect great results.
One of the most important steps is preparing the walls before painting. Read on to learn how to prepare the walls for painting so you can achieve the transformation you’ve been dreaming of.
5 Steps: Wall Preparation Before Painting
Dust and Wash the Walls
Once you’ve moved the furniture out of the room or covered it with drop cloths, it’s time to clean the walls. You can use a vacuum or a dry cloth to remove dust or cobwebs.
In most cases, you can wash the walls with a sponge and warm water. If they seem dirty, add a multi-purpose cleaner to the water. Then, follow it with plain water to remove any soap residue.
Add grease-fighting dish soap to the water for kitchens or high-traffic areas and wipe with a clean rag. Let the walls dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Fill Nail Holes or Cracks in the Wall
If the walls have nail holes, cracks, or blemishes, the second important step for wall preparation before painting is to fix and fill them. Apply a thin layer of spackling paste with a putty knife and let it dry for at least 24 hours.
It’s also essential to look for any signs of mold or mildew before you paint. Painting over it will not fix the problem, and it will grow through the fresh paint.
Make a mixture of one part bleach and three parts water. Wear gloves and goggles, and apply the bleach solution with a sponge. After a few minutes, scrub it with a soft brush and wipe it with clean water.
Sand Wall Surfaces as Needed
Once the spackling paste dries, you can smooth the surface with sandpaper. Then, wipe off the dust with a damp cloth.
If there’s any peeling paint, scrape off any loose pieces. Use sandpaper to smooth the surface, providing a smoother surface for the paint.
Protect Trim with Painter’s Tape
Whether you have unpainted woodwork or a wall sconce, it’s important to protect it with painter’s tape. This will protect the trim from unwanted paint and make painting the walls much easier.
Smooth out any bubbles in the tape. This will ensure clean paint lines and prevent drips from seeping through.
Paint a Coat of Primer
The last step in learning how to prep walls before painting involves primer. Applying a coat of primer will cover stains and provide a smooth surface for your paint. It can also reduce the amount of paint you need to buy.
Refer to the instructions on the can to find out how long the primer needs to dry before you paint.
Need Help with Wall Preparation Before Painting? Hire a Pro
Wall preparation before painting is critical to the process. It ensures that the paint looks vibrant and smooth.
However, good painting takes a lot of time and effort. If you’re not up to the challenge, why not let the pros at Carolina Blue Painting handle it for you? Contact us today to get a quote.