How to Paint Uneven Walls

Homes often have uneven walls and holes in the plaster. Ceilings might not meet the walls evenly around the room. Cracks in the plaster add to the visual imperfections. The walls might be wavy in spots. Short of tearing everything out and redoing, try some techniques that mask these uneven eyesores.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spackling compound
• Putty knife
• Bag of dry plaster
• Container
• Rags
• Sandpaper fine grade
• Tacking cloth
• Plaster patching tape
• Paint primer
• Paint
• Glaze
• Sea sponge
• Roller frame with extension and extra rolls
• Angular paint brush for corners
• Paint tray
• Drop cloth
• Latex gloves
• Ladder

Fill Plaster Cracks

1. Purchase spackling compound and a putty knife at your local hardware or paint shop. Or buy a bag of dry plaster to mix with water in a container.

2. Clean the crack area with a wet damp rag. Take your putty knife with the spackling mix and run it across the hairline crack. Use only what's needed. Smooth out and let dry.

3. Get a piece of fine sandpaper and sand lightly if needed.

4. Use a putty knife to cut a V shape into a crack larger ¼ inch. Wipe away the debris from inside with a brush.

5. Fill the crack with plaster. Smooth and let dry. Sandpaper as needed then remove dust with a moist rag.

6. Place patching tape over wide cracks. Cut a piece that extends an inch beyond the crack. Apply the plaster perpendicular to the opening and push the plaster mix into the hole. Smooth with a putty knife.

7. Hand sand the dry plaster using fine grade sandpaper. Wipe excess dust off with a damp cloth or tack cloth.

8. Prepare your room for painting. Move furniture, place a drop cloth on the floor and get your paint tray, rollers and brushes ready. Paint the walls with brush or roller. First prime if needed.

9. Clean your painting tools.

Paint Uneven Walls at the Ceiling

10. Look where the ceiling meets the walls. If they are uneven use the technique of painting beyond the wall to the ceiling. This works only when the ceiling and walls are different colors.

11. Get your wall color paint and ¼ inch brush.

12. Move the furniture away from the wall and place a drop cloth along the edge. Bring your step ladder for this job.

13. Paint a ¼ inch wide strip along the entire ceiling where it meets the walls. Remember to use the color of the wall for this. When dried the uneven look now appears even at the ceiling.

14. Clean your brush.

Sponge Paint Uneven Walls

15. Prepare the room. Move furniture, place a drop cloth along the walls and ready your paint tray, paint, sponges, water, ladder, roller and brushes.

16. Pour your paint into the paint tray. Use a roller with an extension. Roll back and forth in the tray removing the excess paint. Paint a solid color on the walls and let it dry.

17. Get your wash color or glaze and pour into the paint tray. Try contrasting colors or a dark and light color for effect.

18. Put on latex gloves. Take your roller and roll it through the paint. Wipe off any excess.

19. Apply the glaze to the wall as you did with the base color. Do only a section at a time so the glaze remains wet.

20. Fill another container with water to use with your sea sponge. Dip your natural sea sponge into the water and squeeze off the excess. It should be damp and not runny.

21. Dab away at the glaze. Be artistic. The texture is made when part of the glaze is removed.

22. Keep the sponge damp by dipping it into the water then squeeze. A drier sponge gives a different texture. The look is up to you! Continue the process for each wall.

23. Clean your brushes, rollers and sponge with water.