Achieving a beautiful end result when decorating requires careful planning and execution. That said, spending a little extra time and attention on wall preparation before painting will lead to better results.
Read on to learn how to prep up freshly plastered walls, painted walls with cracks and holes, and walls that have been wallpapered in the past.
Walls of any material should be clean, dry, and free from greasy or dusty buildup. It should also be clear of any holes, cracks, loose or flaking plaster, peeling paint, or shards of wallpaper.
The best course of action is to remove as much furniture as possible from the affected area or to move it all to the middle of the room and cover it with plastic.
This would be the best canvas you’ve ever had. The best surface can be achieved simply by rolling on a primer and undercoat. The plaster will absorb any paint like a sponge if it has not been primed with a sealer, leading to excessive waste and the need for more coats of paint than are necessary. It’s important to wait until all new or raw plaster is cured before decorating. When the dark spots disappear or the colour changes to a pale pink or grey, you’ll know it’s dry.
Preparing Old Surfaces
Preparing previously painted walls for a new coat of paint is a simple process, but there are still steps you need to take to ensure a professional result.
Filling All the Holes and Cracks
You’ll need some fine sandpaper, sugar soap, some flexible filler, and a flexible filling knife. In addition to that, here are some other considerations:
- First, use sugar soap to remove any dust from the gaps, ensuring that the filler sticks to the wall.
- Second, you will need to use your flexible filling knife to smooth out the filler in the hole.
- And lastly, wait for the filler to dry, then sand it down to a smooth finish.
Sanding the Walls
Get a new sheet of fine sandpaper and gently sand the entire wall, paying special attention to any flaking paint. Giving the wall some texture like this will make it easier for the paint to adhere.
To do this task, get sugar soap, a sponge, and some protective gloves. Use a sugar soap solution to get rid of grimy fingerprints, crayon marks, and oil. This is available in both pre-blended and aqueous forms. It’s best to use gloves when applying the sugar soap to the walls. Once you’ve finished washing the walls, rinse the surface with warm water to remove any soap residue. Don’t touch anything until the walls are completely dry.
Prepping up Your Previously Wallpapered Surfaces
These materials are required:
- Bucket
- Sandpaper
- Sponge
- Steam stripper
- Stripping knife or orbital scorer
- Sugar soap
- Wallpaper stripping solution
First, using a stripping knife or orbital scorer, score the wallpaper in diagonal crosses without damaging the plaster underneath it.
Second, use a sponge and hot water to soften the wallpaper, making it more manageable to peel off. Soften it by wetting it in increments of a few metres and letting it sit for five minutes. Work carefully around electrical outlets and switches.
Then, remove the paper by sliding a wide stripping knife into one of the slits. To get rid of all the paper, repeat the steps above.
If you’re having trouble removing the wallpaper, consider using a wallpaper stripping solution, which dissolves the wallpaper paste. Just soak the paper in the solution, set it aside for a while, and then peel it off with the knife.
After you’ve removed the major remnants of paper, you may find some smaller bits still clinging to the wall. Try sandpaper if the stripping knife doesn’t do the trick. Using fresh sandpaper, you may also gently sand the walls.
And lastly, use a sugar soap solution to wash away any greasy fingerprints, crayon marks, or other grime. This is available in both pre-blended and aqueous forms. It’s best to use gloves when applying the sugar soap to the walls. Once you’ve finished washing the walls, give the surface one more rinse with warm water to get rid of any soap residue. Don’t touch anything until the walls are completely dry.
Conclusion
Indeed, painting your walls can be a daunting task, but with proper preparation, it can be a relatively easy and rewarding process. First, it is important to remove all furniture and other items from the room. Next, you will need to clean the walls, repair any damage, and apply a primer. Once the primer is dry, you can begin painting. Be sure to use the proper tools and techniques for the best results.
If you are looking for experienced painters and plasterers in Brisbane, look no further than our experts here at We Plaster & Recruit. We are a registered plastering company providing the best plastering services with operations throughout Brisbane, Gold Coast and Queensland areas. Call us today and let us prep your walls and paint them smoothly in no time!