Painting Walls: Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

Preparation is the most important aspect of a successful paint job. Take your time and prepare walls for painting with the utmost attention to detail. You are probably anxious to get a new color up on your walls, but it is detail that is critical to achieve a satisfactory end result. An evenly done wall devoid of cracks will use less paint, while still managing to look great at the finish of your project. The time spent for the preparation before painting is the main factor that will ensure a top quality job, the protection of your home's value and your own safety, too. And fortunately, preparing a wall for painting is easy to do!

To begin, clear the wall of anything which might be attached to it such as curtain rods or other fasteners. Take down curtains or window coverings.

Switch off the electricity at the circuit breaker and remove all the fixtures from the walls, including switch plates, outlet covers, and light fixtures or lamps. Cover any exposed wires to prevent them from being coated in paint by wrapping them in black electrical tape or an old grocery bag.

If you are looking to camouflage unsightly spots near the corners of your windows and doors, painter's tape is the answer to those eyesores. (Masking tape works in a pinch, but for professional-looking results at no additional cost, using the blue painter's tape works better and comes off easier than regular masking tape.) Another option is to take off the trim with a pry bar and shims.

Fill cracks and small craters with wall filler and use sandpaper to smooth. You can easily and rapidly fill in small holes with putty, whether created by nails, animals, or steel-toed boots (flour or cornstarch and water work well in a pinch).

Vacuum the walls or use a dry shop cloth to remove any dust once any wall defects have been repaired. After that, use a tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) solution and a thirsty sponge to remove any debris from the walls and surrounding area. Rubber gloves are recommended for protecting your hands during this step.

A clean water rinse and ample drying time is required before you continue. It's hard to wait when you're eager to finally get some paint on the walls, but do be sure that the walls are 100% dry first.

These steps are all you MUST really do to prepare a wall for painting, but it is highly recommended that you always apply a good quality primer (that is well-matched to your surface) before the paint itself is applied.

It should go without saying that the older or more damaged a wall may be, the longer and harder one must work on it to achieve a satisfactory paint job result. A little bit of preparation can make all the difference between a paint job that revitalizes your room, and one that just looks crummy. But by following these steps, you will be well prepared to paint your walls and have the end result look fabulous!