Perfect Paint Prep: Don’t Skip This Step
The secret to a professional-looking paint job isn’t the expensive paint or the fancy brushes—it’s the preparation. Here is how to get your walls ready.
1. Clean the Walls
Paint doesn’t stick well to dust or grease. Use a solution of sugar soap (or mild detergent) and warm water to wipe down the walls. Let them dry completely before moving on.
2. Fill and Sand
Inspect for holes or cracks. Fill them with spackle, let it dry, and sand it smooth. Run your hand over the wall—if you can feel a bump, the paint will show it.
3. Tape Carefully
Use high-quality painter’s tape for the edges. Press it down firmly with a putty knife to prevent bleed-through.
You may also find our guide on Fixing Leaky Taps helpful if you are renovating a bathroom or kitchen before painting.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make With This Issue
Skipping the Cleaning
It’s tempting to start painting immediately, but painting over dust, grease, or spiderwebs prevents adhesion. This leads to peeling paint down the line.
Painting Over Wet Filler
If you don’t let spackle or filler dry completely before sanding and painting, it will shrink or crack, ruining your smooth finish.
Rushing the Taping
Masking tape that isn’t pressed down firmly will allow paint to bleed underneath. Take the time to seal the edges with a putty knife or your fingernail.
Painting Over Gloss Without Sanding
New paint slides right off high-gloss surfaces. You must scuff-sand glossy trim or walls to create a ‘key’ for the new paint to grip onto.
Ready to Paint?
Now that your walls are prepped, choosing the right tools is next.
Explore our Walls & Paint category for videos on rolling techniques and cutting in.