Is it time to update the color in one of your rooms?
Maybe you’re renovating your home or moving into a new one.
Or perhaps you have done some repairs and need to repaint.
Maybe one of your kids has outgrown the color in their bedroom.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to prep your walls before slapping on the paint.
If you searched online for ”exterior and interior house painters near me”, and you are in Montgomery or Bucks county, PA, then you’ve arrived at the right place.
Nothing is worse than completing the work and finding you’ve done a shoddy job.
If you’re going to spend the money, you want to do it right.
So here are the steps to prepare and paint your interior wall properly.
Or, you can call PurcellPro Painting in Willow Grove PA and let the professionals do it for you.
Do You Really Need To Prep?
A fresh coat of paint certainly livens things up, but it won’t actually cover as much as you think it will.
Particularly if you have chosen a lighter color.
You can choose the highest quality paint, which can be a bit thicker and go on smoother, but it won’t cover everything.
One of the reasons to paint a wall is because it’s in rough shape.
Chances are that you have some work to do before popping open the can.
How To Prep Your Walls For Painting
Before you decide to DIY your painting job, make sure you have the tools you need to get the job done right.
And the first step is to assess the job itself.
How dirty are the walls?
Are there holes anywhere?
Have you finished any repair jobs that need doing?
Do you need to paint your ceiling?
And do you need to repaint or just do touch ups?
You also want to think about protecting your floors, trim and window frames.
So take a step back, assess the job, and make a list.
Here’s a step by step guide to what needs to get done.
1. First, Repair The Holes
Use drywall putty to fill any holes from nails or other hardware.
Buy the type that goes on pink and dries clear, so that you know when it will be ready to paint.
For larger holes, you’ll need a drywall repair kit, including drywall patches and joint compound.
If this is too big a job for you, best to call in a professional.
2. Next, Sand The Wall
Once the putty is dry, sand rough patches with a sanding block or sanding sponge.
Attach the sanding block to a pole to sand larger areas and make life easier on yourself.
If your wall was previously painted with a high gloss paint, it is best to sand the wall until it is completely smooth to the touch.
Use a fine grit sandpaper on water based paints and a medium grit for oil based paint.
Sand or scrape off old, peeling or cracking paint to make the surface level with the rest of the wall, otherwise you will see shadows and texture on your wall after you paint.
3. Clean Your Walls
Once the sanding is complete you will need to vacuum – not just the floor but the walls too.
Remove all dust on the walls, using a damp cloth after you have vacuumed.
Dust or debris will interfere with the new coat of paint you are about to apply.
Don’t just paint over mold or mildew stains – you need to properly address and treat these first.
Use a four parts water to one part bleach solution and a sponge to scrub areas affected with mildew.
If that doesn’t work, consider these TSP alternatives – especially if you’re painting a kitchen where wall stains are more common.
For mold treatments, you may want to buy a mold spray.
Always be sure to wear protective gloves and a mask when dealing with mold.
Mold can be a sign of moisture coming in from outside, so it might be time to ask for help.
4. Remove Your Light Switch And Outlet Plates
Now that your walls are clean, and dry, you are almost ready to paint.
Almost.
Using a screwdriver, remove the light switch covers and outlet plates on the walls that you are going to paint.
Use a strip of painter’s tape if you like to cover the outlets so that you don’t accidentally get paint in them.
Always use caution when removing covers from live outlets, and don’t leave them open and unattended if you have children or pets in the house.
5. Apply Painter’s Tape If You Like
You don’t have to use painter’s tape, depending on your skill level.
If you’re a beginner, it can help with painting edges and corners.
But if you choose to do so, tape off all the trim and along the ceiling.
If your trim has been newly painted, use a lighter painter’s tape so as not to damage the paint.
6. Prime Your Walls
Is it finally time to crack open a can now?
A can of paint, that is.
The answer is yes – but use a primer first.
Using primer gives your walls that extra polished finish.
Primer will cover most imperfections or stains that you were unable to sand away.
It also gives the paint something to stick to, especially if your walls are porous.
Using good quality paint and primer gives you the best result, and the same goes for your brushes and rollers.
7. Start Painting!
Now that you’ve done all of the prep work, it’s time to get to the main event.
Before you start, make sure you have enough paint on hand to finish the job.
If you need to paint over two days, put your brushes and rollers in a tightly sealed bag overnight to keep them moist.
After the job, read this post on how to clean your paintbrushes properly.
And use a damp cloth to catch any drips on your floors.
You were using drop sheets, right?
Did you leave yourself enough time to get it all finished?
Book Your Free Estimate With PurcellPro Painters Today
To get the job done well, you need time and a little preparation.
If this seems like a lot for you, then we are here to help.
You can trust our team to do a professional job.
We will make the time so that you don’t have to.
Whether you’re looking for residential or commercial painting, we can help.
Contact PurcellPro Painters today for a free estimate on your next project.
