How to Paint Walls

When the walls in your home really need new paint, you may just want to grab a paintbrush and paint right away. But before you start implementing, you should learn some basic knowledge in wall painting to save your precious time and effort. The key to a smooth, spotless finish is in the preparation – after cleaning the walls and priming, you can focus on the outer edges of the wall and paint inwards with a paint that will make the room is eye-catching after completion.

Table of Contents

Prepare the work area

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Remove all accessories hanging on the wall. Remove all handles, outlet covers, light switches, thermostats, and other wall-mounted items. The process will be much more efficient if you have the surface to be painted clean and free of entanglement. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Most wall mounted units can be screwed and lifted. You need to pay attention to small parts such as the socket cover and the insulation plate so that you can reattach them later. ^{[2] X Research Source}
Items that cannot be removed can be covered with paint masking tape.

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Clean up furniture in the work area. Find a place to store furniture, equipment, and supplies until the job is done. If you don’t have enough space to work, simply move the item away from the wall to be painted. Cover with tarpaulin or plastic cloth to protect the rest of the furniture. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Paint stains on upholstery are virtually impossible to remove, so it’s a good idea to protect your furniture even if you think it’s a safe distance.
Unplug electrical appliances and place them away to avoid damage.

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Spread the canvas on the floor. Spread a tarp or plastic cloth to catch spilled or splashed paint when starting work. For maximum protection, the canvas needs to cover the entire length of the base of the wall. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Do not cover the floor with thin materials such as newspaper or bed sheets. These materials are often too thin to prevent wet paint from seeping through. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
There is no need to cover the entire floor. You just need to move the canvas when painting from one end to the other.

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Gently clean the wall. Dip a clean rag or sponge in a solution of warm water and mild soap, then wring out the excess water. Wipe from top to bottom to remove dust and grit that can affect paint adhesion. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Wipe gently – you just clean the wall, don’t get it wet.
A small amount of sodium phosphate (TSP) will help clean stubborn stains in areas like the kitchen or basement. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

primer

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Buy a can of primer. A standard white primer is usually best, because then the new paint will stand out more. Usually 4 liters of primer is enough. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Always use primer when painting interior walls. The primer not only helps the coating adhere, but also reduces the amount of paint and still achieves the same color with the same intensity. ^{[10] X Research Source}
Primer is especially useful when you want to cover a light color on top of a dark color.

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Apply primer on the wall. Apply an even coat of primer from ceiling to floor, covering the widest areas near the center of the wall. The primer doesn’t need to be too thick – if the primer is smooth and even, the top coat will stick easily. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Try not to leave any areas unpainted, as these patches can affect the final paint color.

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Use a hand-held paintbrush to fill in the gaps. Use the brush tip to apply primer to small crevices and other hard-to-paint areas. Pay special attention to corners, niches, wall edges, and around where wall items are mounted. Try to paint with the same thickness as the areas you paint with the roller. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Apply the primer with a long, smooth motion, then smooth it out by sweeping in different directions.
Remember to use paint masking tape to create precise lines and angles.

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Wait for the primer to dry completely. Wait about 4 hours for the primer to set. The primer must be dry before starting to apply top coats. It may be more convenient if you prime in the afternoon or evening, so you can continue painting the next day.

If the primer is still wet, the coating may become cloudy and smeared, resulting in damage to the paint.
The primer will dry quickly if the work area is well ventilated by opening a window or using a ceiling fan or air conditioner.

Wall paint

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Choose the right paint. There are many types of interior paints that you can choose from. You should consider not only the color but also the texture of the paint. For example, pastel colors can brighten up a break room or toilet, while darker colors can create a more spacious feel for common areas like the kitchen. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Get enough paint ready to get the job done without having to run to buy more. 4 liters of paint is usually enough to cover about 40 square meters of wall. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Mix the paint thoroughly. Use an electric paint mixer or hand mixer to blend the paint evenly, even if it was pre-mixed when purchased. This step will prevent the oil and color from separating, giving you a better finish and a smoother finish. Once the paint has achieved a uniform texture, you’re ready to paint. ^{[15] X Research Source}

To prevent paint from falling and splattering around, it’s a good idea to pour the paint into a larger bucket before you start mixing.
Mixing paint before starting big projects is essential, regardless of whether you’re using a brand-new paint bucket or an old one that’s been on the shelf. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Start painting the edge of the wall by hand. Dip the paintbrush about 5cm deep into the paint and let the paint drip down, then tilt the brush over the wall, starting at the top corners of the room. Paint along the masking tape from top to bottom in smooth, straight movements until the perimeter of the wall is complete. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Paint over the wall about 5-8 cm from the edge of the wall so that it is easy to paint with a roller for the rest. ^{[18] X Research Sources}
Stop from time to time to dip more paint when the brush starts to dry.

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Paint the middle of the wall. After painting the outer edges of the wall, use a wide roller to work the middle of the wall. The best method for painting with a roller is to alternately paint in an “M” or “W” pattern, back and forth over a portion of the wall until the paint is completely covered. You can then move to another section, repeating the same movement. ^{[19] X Research Source}

A long-handled paint roller can help you reach the upper wall near the ceiling. Make sure the paint overlaps the edges when painting. ^{[20] X Research Sources}
Use only enough paint to cover the primer. If the paint roller is too soaked with paint, ugly paint splatters will appear on the topcoat. ^{[21] X Research Source}

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Apply one or two more coats of paint. Depending on how you like the paint to be dark or light, you can apply a second or even third coat of paint. Apply more coats of paint in the same manner as above, starting at the outer edge of the wall and working inward. Remember to wait about 2-4 hours for the previous coat to dry before applying the next layer. ^{[22] X Research Source}

Most walls need no more than two coats of paint. However, extra coats of paint can be useful on rough textured walls or when painting on darker paint colors. ^{[23] X Research Sources}
To avoid exposing the seams between coats, make sure to paint the entire wall, including the area around the edge.

Advice

The stages of priming, coating and waiting for the paint to dry will take a lot of time. You need to schedule to do this work on weekends or on holidays so you don’t have to rush.
Fill holes and smooth around edges, corners or fillings with high grit sandpaper before priming.
Multiply the length by the width of the wall to calculate the exact amount of paint needed on large projects.
For a more consistent color, try tinting the primer by mixing in a small amount of topcoat.
Peel off the tape while the paint is still wet to prevent the paint from cracking or peeling.
When painting the walls, you should consider painting the door as well.

Warning

Be careful when standing on ladders and using tools. Accidents often happen due to carelessness.
Keep young children and pets away from freshly painted walls until dry.
If there are wires in the electrical outlets or exposed switches, be careful not to touch them when painting.

Things you need

Interior paint
primer
Paint roller
Soft bristle hand-held paint brush
Tarpaulin or plastic cloth
Paint masking tape
Water
Mild water soap
Clean rag or sponge
Sodium phosphate (optional)
Long-handled roller (optional)
Furniture covers (optional)

Steps