HOW TO PREPARE WALLS FOR PAINTING

Before you begin painting, most walls will need some attention and preparation. This can make the difference between a good paint job and a bad one.

Begin your preparation by:

Washing the surface:

The less dirt on the walls, the better for your painting.

Sugar soaps can be used to remove any grease or stains and are available in dissolvable powder or pre mixed liquid form. Make sure you wear safety googles and gloves when using sugar soaps as they can irritate the skin.

Apply this using a old but clean sponge. Work this into the surface and leave for a few minutes before rinsing off.

Sanding down:

Sanding down will ultimately contribute to the overall finish of your painting. It will also help primer and paint adhere to.

Sanding papers comes in different grades which are based on the type of finish you are aiming to achieve.

To ensure an even surface, use a sanding block or sandpaper around a rectangular object and sand in a circular motion. When sanding wood, make sure you sand to the direction of the grain.

Primer:

Priming a wall isn’t always necessary. These instances would be if the wall has been painted before and is in good condition.

Primer is often needed when a wall has been freshly plastered or if the surface is stained.

Primer is considered a good option when the wall you’re painting has a porous surface. Primer can prevent the top coat of paint from being absorbed, resulting in less layers of paint being needed.

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