How to Prepare Your Walls for a Smooth and Lasting Interior Paint Job
While a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room, a lot of things still need to be done to achieve a truly professional-looking paint job. The key to achieving a smooth and lasting finish is preparing the wall properly. Taking the time to prep your walls ensures your new paint adheres properly and retains its looks for years to come. This also helps prevent uneven coverage and peeling.
Here’s what you need to do to ensure that your Dunedin home’s interior wall is ready for painting.
Clear the Area and Protect Your Space
First thing’s first—it’s important to clear the room out before you begin painting. This involves removing furniture, decorations, and fixtures from the room. Alternatively, if these items will not get in the way of the project, they can stay in the room covered with drop cloths. Next, protect your floors and skirting boards with painter’s tape and plastic sheets. This prevents unwanted paint splatters and allows you to work freely without obstructions. If you’re getting decorating services Dunedin homeowners trust for your painting project, they can take over for you from this step onward.
Clean the Walls Thoroughly
Dirt, dust, and grease can prevent paint from sticking properly, which all lead to an uneven finish or peeling over time. Get rid of these by using a mild detergent mixed with warm water to wipe down the walls. While doing so, pay special attention to high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways. If there’s stubborn grime, use a degreaser. Once you’re satisfied, rinse with clean water and let the walls dry completely before moving on. By cleaning your walls properly, you can make sure that the paint will adhere evenly.
Repair Any Surface Imperfections
Small holes, cracks, or dents in the wall can become more noticeable once a wall is painted, which is why these should be addressed early on. Patch these imperfections with a quality filler or spackling compound, which you can buy from DIY stores and one-stop-shop stores. Then, use a putty knife to smooth it out and even imperfections.
Once dry, sand the patched areas to blend them seamlessly with the rest of the wall. This step prevents flaws from showing through your new paint and ensures a smooth, uniform finish. If the wall has significant damage, using a primer over the patched areas can help achieve an even coat.
Sand the Walls for a Smooth Finish
Even if your walls look smooth, a quick sanding can make all the difference in achieving a professional look. Sanding helps remove minor bumps, rough patches, or residual paint drips from previous paint jobs, allowing fresh paint to glide on evenly. For this task, you need to use fine-grit sandpaper and go over the entire surface lightly. After working on an area, wipe away dust with a damp cloth or a tack cloth to ensure no particles interfere with the new paint layer.
Apply Painter’s Tape for Clean Edges
To achieve sharp, clean lines, apply painter’s tape along skirting boards, trim, and any areas where you want a precise edge. Press down the edges of the tape firmly to prevent paint from bleeding underneath. High-quality painter’s tape ensures a crisp, professional finish, especially around windows and door frames. Removing the tape while the paint is still slightly tacky will give you the best results without peeling the new paint.
Prime the Walls for Better Adhesion
Primer acts as a preparatory coat that helps the paint adhere better and provides a uniform surface. If you’re covering dark or bold colours, using a primer prevents the old colour from showing through. It also seals porous surfaces like new drywall, preventing paint from soaking in unevenly. Choose a primer suited to your wall type and allow it to dry completely before moving on to the topcoat. Skipping this step may result in patchy coverage or the need for multiple coats of paint.
Address Mould and Moisture Issues
New Zealand’s climate can lead to moisture issues, which can cause paint to peel or develop mould over time. If you notice any signs of mould, treat the affected areas with a mould remover and ensure proper ventilation in the room. For persistent dampness, it’s best to consult a professional before painting, as underlying moisture problems can ruin a fresh paint job.
Choose the Right Paint and Tools
Not all paints are created equal, and choosing the right one for your walls can impact durability and finish. When shopping for paint, consider factors such as sheen level, washability, and resistance to wear and tear. Keep in mind as well that high-quality paints provide better coverage and last longer, and these qualities make them a worthwhile investment. Similarly, using high-quality brushes and rollers ensures a smoother application with fewer streaks.
Test Paint Samples Before Committing
Colours can appear differently under various lighting conditions, so it’s always a good idea to test samples before committing. Do this by painting a small section of your wall and observing how it looks throughout the day in both natural and artificial light. This step helps you finalise the perfect shade for your space and make sure that you won’t be disappointed with the final result of the project.
Should You DIY or Call a Professional?
Perhaps you’re considering whether you should DIY or entrust your painting project to expert house painters in Dunedin or your local area. If you’re confident that you have the right tools, patience, and precision for the job, then a DIY might be a viable option. Otherwise, you can let experienced painters take over and rest assured that they’ll be able to do the job professionally and efficiently.
Should you need expert painting services for your residential property in Dunedin and the wider Otago area, get in touch with Three60Painting. To see the work that we do, check out our gallery. You can also get in touch with us using our contact page. By entrusting your painting project to our team of experts, you can count on top-notch results that stand the test of time.