How to Prepare Drywall for Painting

Preparing drywall for painting can be a long, arduous process that most people might leave up to professionals. If not prepared correctly, paint on drywall can appear lumpy, uneven and grainy. However, if you follow the steps for preparation carefully, you can properly prepare your drywall for painting without hiring a costly professional. This can save you a lot of money when redoing a room and aid you in the future with your remodeling projects.

Things You'll Need

• Drywall mud Drywall primer Paintbrush Pole sander Broom Trowel

Instructions

1. Fill in any depressions or exposed screw holes on the wall with premixed drywall mud. Use a wet trowel to smooth the mud onto the wall.

2. Allow the wet drywall mud to dry.

3. Sand down any uneven dried mud with a pole sander. The sandpaper should be 220 grit.

4. Wipe off any dried mud dust or granules from the wall with a broom.

5. Paint on a layer of latex drywall primer and allow it to dry. Apply one to two more coats of primer.

6. When the last layer of primer is dry, you can apply your paint.

Tips & Warnings

• After sanding down the wall, shine a light onto the wall to spot any imperfections in the drywall mud. You can sand down any lumps or fill in any depressions.

• Check directions on the drywall primer. You may need to wait 48 hours after priming the wall before painting.

References

• Person: Martin Nellessen; Carpenter; Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Resources

• Drywall Info