If you’ve recently had drywall installed in your home, there are a few preparatory steps you’ll need to take before you can paint it, In this blog post, we’ll discuss what those steps are and why they’re necessary.
- One of the most important steps is using light to find any imperfections that need to be fixed before painting. If you don’t fix them, they’ll show up as bumps or blemishes in your finished paint job.
- To find these imperfections, you’ll need some good lighting. A bright work light or a flashlight will do the trick. Shine the light at an angle from right to left or from left to right on the surface of the drywall to find bumpy, scratched, or uneven areas. If you don’t fix them, they’ll show up as bumps or blemishes in your finished paint job.
- Mark imperfections with a small piece of painter’s tape. Fill shallow defects with a compound suitable for drywall, following its application and drying instructions. Sand only as needed once dry, control dust and use the protection specified by the product safety data sheet. Remove sanding dust before priming. This guide concerns new drywall; assess older coatings for hazardous materials before disturbing them.
- Once the surface is smooth, dry and free of dust, use a primer suitable for new drywall to seal the porous surface and help produce an even finish. Ordinary drywall primer does not necessarily block stains; choose a suitable stain-blocking product if needed. Primer does not guarantee one-coat paint coverage. Follow the primer and paint manufacturer’s instructions for drying, recoating and the number of coats.
- Choose your paint color and follow the product instructions. These guides cover the next steps:
- If you need help with the finish, explore our interior painting service.
CONCLUSION
Careful inspection, suitable repairs and a compatible primer help prepare new drywall for painting. If the surface needs more work than you can confidently complete, ask a qualified professional to assess it before painting.
For help repairing damaged walls before painting, see our drywall repair service.
The shining of light in an angle, patching and sanding procedures pictures:
