Handyman in Calgary: How to Prepare Your Walls for Painting

Many homeowners find it impossible to achieve a painting finish on interior walls like that of painting services in Calgary. Homeowners struggle because they don’t usually have the same amount of experience as professional painters, and they don’t prepare their home’s walls as thoroughly as the pros. Professionals will often spend an entire day prepping the surface of a small space by cleaning, sanding, and priming. Before they put the final paint colour on the wall, they ensure the walls are as pristine as possible and ready to accept the top coat.

How Do You Prep for Painting?

You can prep like the pros, but know that it may take longer than a day. Professional painting services usually send out a team of experienced workers with professional-grade tools to complete the prep. As a homeowner, you likely work alone with limited tools. Still, with enough determination, you can adequately prepare your walls for painting, but know the cleaning, sanding, and priming steps are not as simple as they sound.

1. Clean the Walls

Before you grab a sponge and start cleaning the walls in your room, take note of the different grime or stains. If the walls are fairly clean, you can use warm water and a sponge to wipe down the surface, eliminating any dust or light dirt. However, if you use areas with grease or other tough stains, you will need to use a grease-cutting detergent. After the initial wipe-down with the detergent, go back over the entire surface with a clean sponge and warm water.

While washing and cleaning the wall is time-consuming, it is worth it in the end. Still, you cannot move directly into the next step. You need to give the wall plenty of time to dry.

2. Sand the Surface

Unlike deck repair services, sanding is not a requirement of every painting project. That said, you should examine the wall for any rough patches. If you come across rougher areas, you must sand the surface to ensure the paint goes on smoothly. A sanding block is the most helpful tool, but you will also need a damp cloth to remove any excess dust.

If you are painting over a high gloss or glossy finish, you must sand the entire surface to ensure fresh coats of paint stick to the surface. For water-based paints, you can use fine-grit paper. Oil paint will need medium grit paper. Don’t forget to wipe away any dust with a damp cloth and let the wall dry thoroughly before moving forward.

Finally, you must sand areas with cracking or flaking paint. Painting over these areas will only give way to the same issues. If the problem is deeper than the paint surface, you need to fix it before applying your paint. Plumbing leaks could cause finishing issues like bubbling or cracking, so contact a plumber if you suspect that to be the case.

3. Prime

Primers are excellent options for older walls or walls with staining. Primer will cover up minor issues and soak into porous walls, allowing the new coat of paint to lay down better. The primer not only disguises minor issues but also allows the top coat to go on evenly, ensuring a uniform finish.

Should You Hire a Professional Painter?

While many homeowners have no problem hiring a professional for a new deck installation, they often hesitate to hire a professional painter. Painting is often described as a DIY task, but if you want it done right, hire a professional. Contact Handyman Connection to discuss the necessity of a professional painter and to schedule an in-person estimate for your next project.