How to Prepare Walls for Painting

Walled painter using roller brush by a professional painter in perth

It is important to prepare your walls before your paint. Preparing your walls can help get a better finish. So, clean, sand and prime your walls before painting. Once you prepare your wall, let it dry before painting. 

Here is a step-by-step process for preparing walls for painting:

1. Cleaning Walls

  • It is important to clean your walls before painting. You can use warm water and a sponge to clean your walls. If there is oil or grime on your walls, use a solution of grease-cutting detergent and water to clean the walls. 
  • After cleaning the walls with this solution, you can now use clean water to clean the same walls. The clean water removes the residual cleaning agent. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe the walls. 
  • Once you finish cleaning your walls, let the walls dry completely before applying primer or paint. 

2. Removing Mildew

  • You need to remove mildew on your walls before painting the walls. Do not paint over mildew. Why? Mildew can grow through the paint. 
  • If mildew grows through the paint, you might find it hard to clean and maintain your walls. Use a solution of water and bleach to clean the mildew. And use a soft brush to scrub the mildew. 

3. Sand Surfaces

  • It is not necessary to sand every wall before painting. However, if there are rough spots or paint on your walls, you will need to sand your walls. 
  • Use a sanding block or sandpaper to dull uneven walls. Use a damp cloth to wipe away dust. If your walls were previously painted with high-gloss paint, you will need to smooth them. 
  • Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove oil-based paint on your walls. 

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4. Prime the Walls

  • If you have stains on your walls or you have porous walls, then you will need to use a primer. It is easy to use primers to hide imperfections. Priming your walls can create a uniform finish. 
  • It is easy to find a primer for different substrates and projects. Therefore, you need to look for a primer that can provide an excellent hide on your walls. 

5. Remove Wallpapers

  • Do not paint over your wallpapers, especially wallpapers with heavy texture or high sheen. You will never find premium paint that can hide wallpaper seams. 
  • If you do not have the necessary tools to remove your wallpapers, you can hire a contractor to remove them. Removing the wallpapers can get you a quality paint job. 

Recommended reading: Five Reasons to Hire a Professional Painter

Prepare your walls before painting can get you a better finish. However, it takes a lot of effort to prepare the walls before painting. Professional painters have the tools and skills to carry out the painting work efficiently and effectively. If you are looking for professional painters in Perth, give Hammer and Brush a call and allow us to make it easy for you.

Kevin Hallam

Kevin Hallam

Kevin Hallam is a master carpenter with 27 years of experience. He and Carolyn formed Hammer and Brush in 2012, a company offering a range of carpentry and painting services in Perth, Western Australia. Kevin and Carolyn, who have been together for 27 years, are joined by their two sons in the family business. Besides their trades, Kevin and Carolyn enjoy a range of outdoor activities, such as boating and caravanning. They have lived in Western Australia for the past 14 years and now call it home.

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