How to Repaint Textured Drywall
Walls can be covered with a texture either as a decorative feature or to hide minor blemishes in the wall. While there are a variety of different textures that may have been applied to the wall, including knockdown, popcorn and swirl, the method for painting over the texture is the same. A standard roller won't do the trick, as the nap on it isn't thick enough and you'll have trouble getting good coverage on the entire surface. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Painter's tape
- Paint roller
- Roller cover with 3/4-inch nap
- Paint stick extension
- Paint
- 2-inch paintbrush
- Rolling pan
- Drop cloth
- Old clothes
Instructions
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1
Remove all the plate covers on outlets and switches by using a screwdriver to unscrew the screws holding them on the wall.
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2
Tape along any trim by running painter's tape on top of the trim where it meets the wall. This will help prevent you from accidentally painting the trim. If you are painting the walls a different color from the ceiling, run the tape along the edges of the ceiling as well.
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Assemble the paint roller and extension. First, place the roller cover on the roller, and then screw the paint stick extension into the end of the handle on the paint roller. Extension sticks come in a variety of sizes, and you should get one that will allow you to reach the top of the wall or ceiling while standing on the floor. Using an extension stick is optional, but it will make the job go much more quickly, since you won't have to be getting up and down off a ladder to paint the high areas.
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4
Open the can of paint by sticking the tip of the screwdriver in the groove of the lid and prying up on it. If it has been more than a few days since you bought the paint and had it mixed at the store, you'll need to use the wood mixing sticks that came with the paint to hand-mix it.
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Dip a paintbrush into the paint can and start in one corner of the room. You'll need to paint all corners and along any trim of the wall with the paintbrush since the roller won't be able to reach right up to the edge. You should apply a thin coat of paint to eliminate drips, which will dry on the wall and give you an unprofessional finish.
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6
Pour the paint into a roller pan and then roll the roller in it until the roller cover is loaded with paint.
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Start painting the wall, working your way from left to right. To apply the paint, make a "W" or "M" on the wall or ceiling in 4-foot sections, then roll back and forth over that area until the paint has been smoothed out. Work from one side of the wall or ceiling to the other so you can keep a wet edge of paint, which will give an even appearance. The wall can appear to have stripes on it if you allow the paint to dry as you work.
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Allow the paint to dry according to the manufacturer's specifications, then apply another coat of paint. Most of the time, you'll need two coats, but this can vary, depending on the specific paint.
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Tips & Warnings
It's always a good idea to wear old clothing and put down a drop cloth in the room where you're painting. This will prevent you from ruining your good clothes or the flooring with paint drips.
New paint roller covers will have some loose fibers on the end of them resembling lint, and you'll want to remove the lint to prevent these fibers from coming loose and sticking to the paint on the wall. You can do this by running your hand over the roller, or you can also dab the roller with the sticky side of the painter's tape, which will grab the loose fibers.
For extremely rough surfaces, you might need to go with a roller head with a 1-1/4-inch nap to get sufficient coverage.
When painting walls with very rough or deep textures, apply minimal pressure to the roller when painting. Too much pressure can cause the texture to crack and break off.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
