The correct preparation before painting a surface is key to a beautiful and long lasting paint job. We’ve compiled a list of things to do to ensure the best quality possible. For a flawless clean look you should follow a these simple steps on how to prep a wall for paint.
- Clear the space you are going to work in. Remove any furniture and décor items. Any items that cannot be removed should be moved to the centre of the room.
- Lay down a drop cloth (preferably cloth as it is not slippery) and cover any remaining furniture with plastic.
- Remove everything from the walls including pictures, nails, fixtures, electrical covers and window coverings
- Repair any damage with filler. Sand off the excess and clean up any dust. Sometimes larger repairs may require multiple coats, as filler and spackle tend to shrink when they dry.
- Smooth any uneven surfaces such as loose paint or left over spackle.
- Clean the walls using a mild cleaner. Avoid leaving any residue from the cleaner on the walls as this can have an effect on how the paint adheres to the surface. Follow up with a rinse using just water to ensure all cleaner is removed.
- Prime any spots that were filled so that they blend in to the new paint to ensure there is no shine in the spots that were repaired.
- Tape off any fixtures that could not be removed.
- We suggest using tape to remove any excess fluff on your roller before applying paint. This will avoid any small fibers in the paint that is applied to the wall.
- Depending on the current paint on the walls you may want to consider priming the entire surface. Primer is needed when covering oil based paints or paints with a gloss or semi-gloss finish.
Once you’ve completed these steps you are ready to paint.
Preparation is key to ensuring a high quality finish with few visible flaws. There are many different things to consider in the prep process and it is best to not rush into painting your walls without the proper direction.
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Tags: commercial painting, Doug Trueman, painter, preparation, professional painter, quality, residential painting
