Renovation guides

How to prep and prime walls before painting yourself: step by step

Patch, sand, tape, and prime everything new or patched. Without primer, paint dries blotchy.

Difficulty 1 of 5 · about half a day · you can do this

Photo of your room, the look you pick, then this guide with the materials counted for your room.

Step by step

1. Step 1 of 9

   Clear the room or pull furniture to the center

   Move everything out, or push it to the middle of the room and cover it.

2. Step 2 of 9

   Remove outlet and switch covers

   Take off every cover plate and label each one with tape so it goes back in the same spot.

3. Step 3 of 9

   Tape the edges

   Tape the top edge of the baseboard, the door and window casing, and the ceiling line if the ceiling is a different color.

4. Step 4 of 9

   Inspect the walls with a flashlight held at an angle

   Hold the light sideways against the wall. Nail holes, dents, and cracks jump out in raking light.

5. Step 5 of 9

   Spackle the holes, let dry, sand flush

   Fill every hole and dent. Let it dry 1–2 hours, then sand flush. Run your palm over it: you should not feel the patch.

6. Step 6 of 9

   Wipe the walls with a damp rag

   Get the sanding dust off. Dust under paint is a rough wall forever.

   Before you paint

   • Walls feel smooth to the palm
   • Tape is on: baseboard, casing, ceiling line
   • Outlet and switch covers are off
   • Floor is covered

7. Step 7 of 9

   Cut in the corners and edges with a brush

   Only if this is new drywall, patched areas, or a color change. Brush a band about 2 inches wide along every corner and edge.

8. Step 8 of 9

   Roll the rest in a W pattern, then even it out vertically

   Load the roller, make a W about 3 feet wide, then fill it in and finish with light vertical strokes.

9. Step 9 of 9

   Let the primer dry

   Follow the can. Usually 1–2 hours before the first coat of paint.

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