Prep work for wall painting is critical. Just as any good homebuilder would ensure their foundation was secure before beginning construction, so why take risks with your painted finish?
Use of an appropriate primer is absolutely vital if your walls are made from drywall and you live in an environment prone to stains, as this prevents bleed-through and gives your paint an ideal surface on which to adhere.
Clean the Walls
Clean your walls before painting on any surface. Shower steam, hair products, and other residue can leave behind an adhering barrier which prevents your new coat of paint from adhering properly. For best results use mild soap and water solution or tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). If there is mold or mildew present use a mild bleach solution followed by applying mold-neutralizing primer before starting your painting project.
Primer paints are specifically formulated to cover imperfections and form a solid base for any new color scheme, providing a long-term protective shield for top coats that is necessary in home improvement projects. Priming may seem like an extra step that adds time to complete, but its importance can’t be overstated when it comes to creating quality results.
Remove Any Adhesives
If there’s adhesive residue from an earlier paint job left behind, it’s essential that it is removed before starting your next one in order to ensure the paint adheres properly and does not peel away over time. This will also ensure an uninterrupted painting project.
To clean away this residue, use a blow dryer or heat gun and a scraper to gently peel away adhesive – but be careful not to press too hard as pressing too forcefully could result in breaking off a chunk of drywall!
Once all adhesives have been removed from your walls, it is time to add a coat of primer. Be sure to read carefully when selecting your primer; look for something without stain blockers as this could impede proper paint absorption into walls. A good option would be Kilz Odorless primer which comes in various shades such as white, ecru, gray and beige.
Sand the Walls
Lightly sanding walls before applying primer paint will help ensure it adheres to them more easily and covers any flaky spots, particularly if your walls have glossy finishes or you are painting over darker colors. In either instance, it is especially essential to lightly sand and prime them before beginning painting!
When sanding, ensure to use fine grade sandpaper and work in small sections for best results. Aiming for a smooth surface will help your final paint job to look better and last longer.
For those who prefer quick and effortless priming experiences, latex or water-based primer is ideal. These types of products typically emit significantly fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it safer to work in tight spaces without adequate ventilation. Consider Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Plus Primer which offers high hiding power along with excellent adhesion, stain blocking capabilities and mold resistance – not forgetting mold resistance and low odor production!
Prime the Walls
Zinsser Cover Stain Primer is an oil-based primer product recommended when covering darker colors with lighter ones, helping block out old hues so your new paint won’t look muddy or orange. You may also ask your local paint retailer to tint your primer so it matches the shade of your wall, saving time and money by cutting down on multiple coats of primer/paint applications.
If your walls already sport light colors, applying one coat of high-quality all-purpose primer should do. However, for darker hues that require multiple applications of primer it may be wiser to prime multiple times to ensure even coverage – simply make sure each layer dries before applying another layer; to achieve optimal results work in small sections while overlapping wet primer lines as you go.