How To Paint a Wall Like A Master Painter

When tackling your next home wall painting project, it’s best to create a plan of action. But, you knew that already. That’s why you’re reading this blog! You obviously want to learn something new in order to take your skills to the next level. Great work! We hope to share several things in this blog that will do just that.

Are you painting ceilings? Are you painting trim? Are you painting walls in high-moisture areas, like showers or above the kitchen sink? Are you painting walls in high-traffic areas? These are important questions that will be relevant for preparing your best home painting project ever. In our experience, there aren’t that many painters who give tips specifically on wall projects. It’s an easily overlooked topic. But, the truth is, by following a few key steps, you can make your walls look much better, and last much longer. Here’s a rundown of the most basic, pro-level method for painting walls.

Steps to Painting Interior Walls

• Vacuum and/or wipe clean
• Tape off the trim
• Patch holes or other uneven areas
• Spot sand, or sand the entire wall if desired
• Vacuum again
• Spot prime where needed
• Add additives or paint enhancements to your paint (we’ll talk about these later in the blog)
• Paint

The Prep Work

First, you’ll need to clean the walls. We recommend using a shop vac. It’s fast, and effective for cleaning the area from common dust and dirt. Many professional painters use shop vacs on the job site because they work so well. We also recommend using a damp, clean cloth or rag to clean any areas in the room where there is excessive dirt or grime, or hard to clean dirt or grime. This commonly occurs near baseboards, or in dining room and kitchen areas. Next, inspect the area closely for signs of holes, or other irregularities in the walls. Patch these with painter’s putty. Then, lay a nice, even layer of caulk over cracks in the corners. Now, sand down where you patched, and any other areas that may need it. The goal is for the surfaces to be as clean and level as possible. Once you’ve done all of those things, do another round of vacuuming and prime where necessary.

Trim Painting

Painting trim requires a few extra steps compared to ceilings and walls since it’s wood. We recommend using Oil Bond, an award-winning paint additive. It creates a powerful adhesive “velcro-like” adhesion between new paint and trim surfaces. This is handy since trim nearly always has a finish or sealer on its surface. Oil Bond will enhance your paint’s ability to properly adhere, all without extra sanding! That’s right. You can paint the trim without sanding, something you’d normally need to do in order to properly prep the trim surface for new paint. It’s also useful for many other applications, including kitchen cabinets, or furniture. Read more here.

Time to Paint!

Now, you’re ready to paint! Now, before you do, here are a few more tips for those of you who want to take your painting game to the next level.

Using Enhancing Paint Additives

We recommend checking out these excellent paint additives from Latex Agent for your painting project. Depending on your home’s needs, they can add some really excellent benefits to your paint.

Additives We Recommend

Boost Paint Toughness and Abrasion Resistance with Hard Coat

Walls that are located near entry ways, or high-traffic areas in the home will always benefit from Hard Coat. It adds a unique abrasion resistant element to improve the life and durability of your paint. It will not negatively affect your paint if you follow the instructions.

Boost Liquid and Stain Resistance With Dirt Repel

Another excellent additive for wall projects is Dirt Repel. We recommend using it when painting walls in kitchens and bathrooms, and areas that easily get dirty. Particularly where walls will be exposed to more humidity, Dirt Repel will create a more easily cleanable surface, and even can help with exterior projects where water-damage is all too common.

Add More Value, Open Time and Less Brush Strokes with Enhancer

Enhancer is a very popular additive for its unique combination of several enhancements. Pro painters love its ability to make paint more usable, and free of brush strokes. You’ll actually get more surface area out of your paint, adding value to your project, when using Enhancer. It will also keep your paint from drying too quickly. That’s handy since paints often dry too quickly, causing visible lines, and brush strokes. Enhancer makes your paint apply more evenly for a more professional look.

Want to use more than one additive? Read this guide!

Learn more about Latex Agent’s lineup of paint additives here.