How To Paint Drywall
Whether it’s having just finished drywalling a basement for a remodel, replacing some broken drywall in a child’s bedroom, or looking to give an old wall some new life, it’s time to get painting. Painting drywall is a fairly simple process that doesn’t require much time if you prepare in advance.
Here are the basic steps for painting drywall:
1) Prepare the Room
Remove any of the room’s furniture and decor at risk of getting dust or paint on it, then lay some drop cloths down on the floor. Use painter’s tape to protect any trim, molding, or other parts you don’t want to be painted.
2) Repair Imperfections
Drywall—even drywall that was recently put up—can have slight imperfections such as dents, cracks, or nail holes. Take a little joint compound and a putty knife to fill in these imperfections and allow them to dry completely.
Once dry, sand the areas smoothly. Make sure to remove any dust from the surface of your drywall.
3) Clean the Walls
Use a damp cloth or a mixture of mild detergent and water to clean the walls. This will remove any other dust. Painting an older section of the drywall will also help remove cobwebs and other debris that may affect the paint’s adhesion to the surface and a smooth look to the finished wall.
4) Start With Primer
It’s essential to prime the walls first before painting. This will improve paint adhesion and aid in hiding any stains or flaws that might still be visible. Then, ideally, use a primer specifically designed for drywall.
You should only need one primer layer if painting over a light color. However, if you’re painting over a piece of drywall that has already been painted a dark color, you may need to apply two or three coats of primer.
Before adding your final coats, ensure each layer of primer has dried completely, and then give it a light sanding.
Sanding will give more for the paint to adhere to and result in a more long-lasting finish. Don’t forget to clean up any dust that may have accumulated during this sanding.
5) Apply Paint
Apply paint to the walls using a roller or a brush. Working in sections, begin painting at the top of the wall and work your way down. Use a paint edger or a small paintbrush to paint around and in tight corners. Before adding a second layer, let the first coat of paint dry thoroughly.
Apply your second coat the same way you did the first coat, paying special attention to keeping the coverage complete and even.
It’s important not to rush. You don’t want uneven applications to result in splotchy work.
6) Clean Up
A job is only complete once everything has been cleaned up.
Remove the drop cloths and painter’s tape after the paint has dried, and replace any furniture removed from the space.
And enjoy your newly painted drywall.
How Many Paint Layers Should You Use?
Two coats of paint should be the minimum. The number can vary depending on the type of wall and its primary color. For instance, unpainted drywall will have a layer or two of primer, plus your top coats.
If the previous color is darker than the paint you’re using now, you’ll want to add an additional coat (or maybe two) to conceal the deeper color below fully.
Brush or Roller?
Paint rollers allow painters to cover a lot of surface area quickly, but they are not very good for detail work around moldings, corners, and similar features. Also, a roller frequently leaves a thin line of excess paint on the edges.
This is where a paintbrush comes in handy.
You can more easily get into corners and other smaller areas and use the brush to feather away excess paint from the roller edge. You can also use a brush to help smooth any accidental drips.
To Spray Or Not To Spray
Paint can also be applied using an airless paint sprayer. These are best used when you have a very large area to paint, as they are significantly faster than rollers or brushes. The downside is that they aren’t good with tight spaces, corners, and other detail areas.
You could do a large area with a sprayer, get closer to the edges with a roller, and then do all the touch-up and corner work with a brush.
A sprayer may not be essential for most homes, but it’s an excellent option for large-scale painting jobs.
Helpful Tips
Use drywall paint that has been specifically formulated for that purpose.
To ensure a smooth and even finish, use a paintbrush and roller of superior quality.
For more extensive undertakings, consider using a paint sprayer.
Avoid packing too much paint onto the roller or brush because this might result in drips and an uneven finish.
Give each application plenty of time to dry in between.
By following these steps, you should be able to paint your drywall successfully and achieve a smooth and even finish. Then, you can paint your drywall like a pro with patience and attention to detail.
Sometimes it’s best to have your painting needs addressed by experts. That’s where the knowledgeable team at Pro Paint & Finish comes in.
With more than 15 years of experience, we can manage your interior painting and deliver perfect results. In addition, we offer color-matching services, so your drywall will blend seamlessly with the rest of your house.
Our work is backed by a two-year warranty and has earned us an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. For a free consultation, call today. (574) 596-3072
