The secret to getting that professional finish when you are painting the walls of your home is in the preparation of the surface. Old paint runs and patches of missing paint can ruin that glossy new surface. In this article we will look at the steps to follow when preparing a wall for painting.

Step 1: Sanding

The best way to get rid of those old paint runs and peeling is to sand the wall first. Depending on how deep the imperfections you will want to start with a medium grade sandpaper of around 80 to 120 and work your way down to a fine 180 grade paper to finish up. Run your hand frequently over the surface to feel how smooth it is. If there are any deep cracks or imperfections you may need to use some filler to repair the surface. When you have removed the obvious imperfections and are happy with the finish it’s time to move on to step 2.

Step 2: Washing

Now that the surface is smooth you will need to get rid of all the paint dust you have made. Wash the wall down with a mild detergent and warm water. This will also help to remove grease from cooking and finger prints. When you have finished allow the wall to dry completely before moving to the next step.

Step 3: First coat of paint

Now that your wall surface is smooth and clean, it is time to add the first coat of paint. Before you begin don’t forget to put drop cloths over any furniture you can’t move out of the way. You can also use masking tape and newspaper to mask off those tricky areas.

Depending on the color you are painting and the existing color of the wall, you may need to add an undercoat of a neutral color before adding your first color layer. This is especially true if you are painting a light color over an existing darker color. Check the side of your paint can for details of required undercoats.

You have a couple of options for applying your paint. Depending on the size of the area you are painting you can use a paintbrush or roller. For ceilings a long handled roller is probably your best option. If you are going to use a roller the best thing to do is start with a paint brush in the corners of the wall and then fill in the center using the roller. This will give you the best finish and will also be quite quick. Apply the paint in an even coat making sure not to miss anywhere. When the first coat is completed you will need to allow time for it to dry. Depending on the type of paint you are using this can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 hours. Check you paint can for details.

Step 4: The final coat

When your first coat has set follow the same process to add the top coat. Again make sure that you don’t miss anywhere. For most paint jobs using a light color over an existing light color, 2 coats should be enough for a good finish.

Step 5: Stand back and admire your handy work

When the final coat is dry you can carefully peel off any masking tape you have used. Make sure you peel the tape away at a 90 degree angle to itself to avoid ripping your new paint finish. Don’t forget to clean your brushes. Wipe off any excess paint onto a piece of newspaper before you rinse the brush with water for acrylics. This helps to minimize the amount of paint you are washing down the drain. For enamel paints follow the same procedure but use mineral turpentine first and then wash the brush with water to finish. Finally remove the dust covers and stand back to admire your fresh new wall.

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