How to Prepare the Wall for the Primer Paint

It's important to prime a wall before painting it, because drywall has a porous surface that will soak up the paint and create uneven color. In order to make sure the primer keeps paint color smooth and crisp, it's important to take the time to prepare the wall for the primer paint. Preparation can be time consuming, but it is the most important part of painting a wall.

Things You'll Need

• 3/8-inch roller
• Painting pan
• Primer
• Pail
• TSP
• Sander with fine-grain sandpaper
• Vacuum

Instructions

1. Remove all the covers from the light switches and electrical outlets on the wall that you'd like to prime. Usually dust accumulates behind the covers, so it's a good idea to clean around the outlets and light switches as well with a fresh rag and warm water.

2. Feel every surface of the wall to see if there are any bumps or divots.

3. Fix any area that requires patchwork. Then sand the patchwork areas to make sure they're smooth.

4. Brush and vacuum away all the dust created from sanding.

5. Clean the walls with a cleaning solution to remove any dust particles missed during the vacuuming. TSP (trisodium phosphate) and water is a good cleaning solution choice since it doesn't require rinsing and can also remove scuffs.

6. Allow to dry before applying the primer.

Tips & Warnings

• Mildew tends to be difficult to get rid of but can be removed with products you may already have in your home. All you need to do is mix a solution of one gallon of water, one cup of bleach and some liquid dishwashing detergent. TSP can be added instead of dishwashing detergent.

• Paint that was applied before 1978 could contain lead that is dangerous if it becomes airborne and is inhaled. Purchase a test kit from a paint store or hardware store to find out if the paint contains lead if you're not sure.