Pre-Painting Preparation Gives Beautiful, Professional Results

By Matt Gallo

While many homeowners are anxious to just start painting already, it is important to properly prepare your trim and walls prior to painting. Whether it's patching nail holes, removing old wallpaper, or just cleaning your walls before painting them, the prep work makes all the difference. Correctly prepared painting surfaces take paint better, allowing it to completely adhere for a beautiful, long-lasting finish. Don't worry if you're not sure how to correctly prepare your walls; read on for advice on the simple steps that make a difference!

Patching
The first step in preparing your walls for painting is to address any nail holes or cracks. These small blemishes can be easily filled with spackle. For larger holes, you will need to patch the drywall itself. If you're not comfortable mending drywall, contact a local interior painter; they will be able to provide a smooth, professional drywall patch.

Sanding
The next step is sanding. Especially if you spackled cracks and nail holes, you'll need to smooth them out to create a flat, even painting surface. Wallpaper should also be sanded before being painted; while it is usually best to take down all wallpaper before painting, removing wallpaper that was applied directly to unpreped wallboard may cause irreparable damage. In this case, your best option is to detach any loose pieces (especially curling seam edges) and then sand the remaining wallpaper. This creates a slightly rough surface for the primer to stick to.

Cleaning
Now you need to clean your walls and woodwork. (Note: it's best to do this step after sanding; otherwise you'll just have to do it again to remove the dust created by sanding.) Although generally invisible to the eye, dust and grime can accumulate on your walls and trim; this layer can prevent the paint from completely adhering to the surface and needs to be eliminated prior to painting. A mild solution of soap and water is usually enough to get rid of any residue. Simply wipe down walls, woodwork, and anywhere you sanded, then rinse with plain water.

Priming
The final pre-painting step is applying primer. Primer should be used to cover stains, darker paint, wood with knots in it, and, of course, wallpaper. Make sure that you're using the correct type of primer for the task; if you're priming wallpaper, water-based paints should be avoided as they may make the paper bubble. If you're worried about using the incorrect primer or uncomfortable with the task of priming, your local painting specialist can help. Also, be sure to always prime over spackled spots to avoid shiny spots in your finished paint job.

Now it's time to paint! The pre-painting preparation may have taken some time, but it will be worth it in the end. By correctly prepping your painting surfaces, you'll get an attractive finish that lasts. The best part is, since the walls were correctly prepared, the paint will last longer: meaning you won't have to paint this room again for years! Of course, if you don't want to bother with the work of pre-painting preparation or the hassle of painting itself, you can always hire a professional painter. They'll take care of all of the preparation, painting, and clean up, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your beautifully painted room.

Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leading provider of online local advertising.
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