How to Paint Over a Room That Has Been Painted Red

Painted red walls have earned a poor reputation for being impossible to paint over. It is true that the dark color will bleed through your new paint if you don't follow the correct steps. There are, however, some terrific primers on the market and using them allows you to paint over almost anything with great results.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloths
• Vinegar and water
• Fine grit sand paper
• Color blocking primer and sealer
• 3/4 inch nap roller
• Paint brushes

Instructions

1. Line the floors with drop cloth, to keep them clean. Wash your walls in equal parts vinegar and water. Make sure to remove all dirt and grime from the surface of the walls so that the primer will properly adhere and cover your red walls.

2. Lightly sand the walls creating a rough surface so that the primer will sink into the cracks. A better finish with your primer will create less bleeding and prevent scratches of red paint from showing through, if the wall gets dinged. Wipe off any dust with a damp cloth.

3. Apply a color blocking primer and sealer to the red walls. You have a number of options for primer. You can choose a neutral color primer with stain killer. Stain kill means the undercoat will not bleed through. However, if the primer color is dramatically different from the wall color, the primer can alter the tint of the paint. The best solution is a primer that is tinted to compliment the paint color. Allow the primer to dry completely.

4. Brush the corners and trim using a trim brush, rolling over the edges of the brush painted areas to hide any paint seams.

5. Roll paint onto the walls in a thin, even coat. By using a good primer you should be able to apply only two coats of paint. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second.

References

• Tinted Primer
• Painting: Walls, Ceilings and Floors
• Painting over Dark Colors