How to Prep Surfaces Before You Paint
Now that you've taken the time to choose the perfect color, why not take a
little time to make sure it lasts? Prepping your walls is the single most
important step before painting, but most do-it-yourselfers don't prep their
walls properly. Follow these simple, but essential steps for stripping,
cleaning, patching and priming your interior walls.
PROTECTING SURFACES
01 Furniture
- Move heavy furniture to the center of the room.
- Cover furniture and countertops with plastic.
02 Floor
- Cover the floor with canvas drop cloth.
- Don't use plastic on the floor–it can get very slippery.
03 Woodwork and edges
- Use painter's tape.
- It's usually blue or brown, rather than the typical masking tape cream color.
- Caution on using painter's tape: If the tape is left on too long,
it can damage the surface underneath.
- On a textured ceiling, sometimes paint will creep under the tape. But those
spots can be touched up with ceiling paint.
- When rolling paint, protect baseboards with painter's tape and
newspaper to prevent splatter.
- For doorknobs or drawer handles, use a plastic bag with painter's tape.
- It's easiest to remove all electrical plates, switch plates, cable jack plates, etc.
Then cover the outlets with tape.
REMOVING WALLPAPER
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01 This process can get messy and will generate water on the floor, so make sure you've securely taped off baseboards and covered the entire floor.
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02 Use a scoring tool to slice the wallpaper.
- This will allow the wallpaper remover to penetrate the paper more effectively.
- For wallpaper that has been painted, slice and puncture as much paper as possible.
03 Wallpaper removal methods:
- The first method is to use a new spray bottle filled with chemical wallpaper remover.
- DO NOT use an old garden spray bottle because it may contain chemical residue.
- Spray the wall and wait the manufacturer's recommended time before scraping with a putty knife.
- The second removal method is to use a steamer.
- Follow the instructions carefully. These steamers generate hot water, so rubber
gloves and goggles are necessary.
- Work a small area at a time.
- Hold the steamer against the paper.
- Once you have softened the paper, you can remove it with a putty knife.
- Try not to gouge the wall, but if you do, repair the wall with joint compound
(see Repairing cracks and holes in walls and ceilings.)
- DO NOT get wallpaper scraps on the floor or carpet. Put the scraps in heavy duty garbage bags.
04 Remove any wallpaper adhesive.
- Wear rubber gloves when working with Trisodium Phosphate.
- Following the manufacturer's instructions, fill a bucket with water and Trisodium Phosphate.
- Apply the mixture to the walls. TSP will remove the glue.
- Use a scraper on residual adhesive.
- TIP: TSP also removes grease from kitchen walls.
05 Rinse the walls with hot water.
- If the walls are still tacky, repeat cleaning with TSP.
REPAIRING CRACKS AND HOLES IN WALLS AND CEILINGS
01 Wear safety glasses and a dust mask.
02 Use a putty knife to remove any chips or flakes.
03 Clean the crack/hole with a brush or vacuum.
04 Wash the damaged area with TSP.
05 Rinse with hot water and let the area dry thoroughly.
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06 Using a putty knife, fill the crack with a lightweight joint compound, spreading the filler past the edges of the crack.
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- Smooth the filler with the putty knife while it's still wet.
- Some jobs may need more than one application of filler.
- For large cracks in your wall, Lowe's has the appropriate patching products.
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07 Some jobs may need more than one application of filler.
08 Once the compound is dry, sand it with fine grit sandpaper.
09 Once the filler is smooth, again, clean the patch with TSP and water.
10 Rinse the area and let it dry before priming.
REPAIRING CRACKS AND HOLES IN WALLS AND CEILINGS
01 Use fine grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to sand small crevices.
02 Then remove hard-to-reach dust using a hand vacuum with a brush attachment.chment.
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03 Use a putty knife and wood filler to rebuild chipped corners and fill in dents.
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04 Apply spackling on scratches and small cracks.
05 Finish the repair the same way as repairing wall surfaces.
06 When all the holes are patched, prime the repaired surfaces.
PRIMING
01 Apply primer the same way you would apply paint.
- For tips on painting techniques, watch Lowe's Basic Latex Painting Techniques.
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02 Generally, when priming, start with the woodwork.
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- Use a paint brush to prime small areas.
- For bare woodwork, use latex primer designed for stain blocking and sealing surfaces.
- For previously painted woodwork, spot prime any repaired areas.
- There are special steps to prep glossy surfaces before priming.
- Begin by sanding the surface with 200-grit sandpaper to knock the gloss off.
Scuffing helps paint adhere to the surface.
- Make sure the surface is dust-free with a vacuum or brush.
- Wash the surface with TSP and water.
- The final step is to apply primer designed specifically for glossy surfaces.
03 Walls and ceilings
- If you're working with new construction, you should use gypsum board primer.
- For clean, previously painted walls that have a flat surface sheen, you can apply paint without primer.
- If it's latex going over oil-based paint, you will need to prime with a special adhesion primer.
- To test for oil-based paint, wet a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol.
- Rub the cotton against the wall.
- If the paint does NOT come off the wall, it is oil-based paint.
04 Now you're ready to apply your first coat of paint.