How to Paint New Walls

A beautiful, newly painted wall.

Once the dust and mess of constructing new walls is over, the only step left is painting. Don't be tempted to rush this final part of the project -- the work and expense of any construction project isn't worth messing up with a poorly done paint job. A good painter can ruin a wall by doing a sloppy job, or make it look clean and professionally done. Take a little time to prime the walls, fix small imperfections and paint them so they look like new walls for a long time to come.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum or duster
• Drop cloths
• Painter's tape
• Drywall primer
• Caulk
• Joint compound or spackle
• Brush
• Roller
• Roller tray or bucket and grid

Instructions

1. Dust the new wall with a duster or vacuum cleaner. Skip this step if the walls are textured because there won't be any sanding dust to remove.

2. Protect the floor with drop cloths and adjacent surfaces with painter's tape.

3. Prime the wall with drywall primer, using a short-napped roller for smooth walls or a medium-napped roller for textured walls. It doesn't matter whether you cut in with a brush or roll first for the primer coat. Allow it to dry for at least two hours.

4. Cover the primer and priming tools with a plastic trash bag to keep it from drying out in case you need to spot-prime repairs.

5. Check the wall in bright light and correct any minor imperfections in the drywall with joint compound or spackle. Let it dry, and sand (if necessary) and prime the repairs.

6. Caulk any gaps you see. If there are gaps between the new wall and cabinets, countertops or trim, they'll be easier to see after priming. It's not necessary to prime caulking before painting.

7. Brush a first coat of paint around the edges of the trim and along the ceiling, leaving a band about 3 inches wide. Roll the rest of the wall, allow the first coat to dry for about four hours, then apply a second coat the same way.

Tips & Warnings

• If the ceiling needs to be painted, paint it before the new walls.

• If you plan on using a deep or vibrant paint color, have the paint store tint the primer closer to the color of the final color.

• Higher-gloss paints accentuate imperfections. If you're willing to pay a little more for quality paint and like a flatter finish, look for one of the washable flat or matte paints now on the market.

• Label and store the wall paint in a warm, dry place so you can use it for touch-ups later as needed.

References

• House-Painting-Info: Prep New Drywall