Have you ever wondered how professional painters achieve such a flawless finish on every job? Using the right brushes and tools is one part of the process, and plenty of practice is certainly another. But the real secret to a beautifully painted wall lies in the work that is done before a brush ever touches your wall.
Having a properly prepared surface is key to a successful paint job. A good-quality paint can do many things, but it cannot disguise dents, holes, or cracks in your walls. In fact, the higher gloss paint you use the more all those little surface imperfections will be revealed! Making your walls as smooth as possible prior to painting is incredibly important.
Preparing Your Walls For Paint
Before you begin inspecting your walls and making any necessary repairs you should get your room ready for painting. Clear as much furniture and extra items from the room as possible and remove everything from your walls, including HVAC covers and electrical faceplates. Any furniture too large to be removed should be pushed to the center of the room where it won’t be in your way. Once your room is as clutter-free as possible you should:
- Inspect your walls for cracks, dents, or holes
- Use a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound to repair surface imperfections
- Allow the spackle to dry completely and sand with a very fine sandpaper until smooth
- Clean your walls with a damp sponge or cloth and let dry
- Use a duster or tack cloth to remove any remaining dust
Priming Your Walls
At this point you may be eager to get that new color up on your walls, but there is one more step to go. Priming freshly patched walls is a step you usually should not skip! The dried spackle will absorb your paint differently than the rest of the walls if left unprimed, ultimately highlighting your patch job. At the bare minimum you should apply a coat of primer to any spots you patched, feathering the edges of the primer so that it blends seamlessly into the surrounding wall. Ideally though you will prime all of the walls.
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! Your walls are ready for a fresh coat of paint that is sure to look spectacular after all your careful prep work.
