How to paint a wall

What should be considered when painting walls? How to prepare the surface? What tools are needed and why? We have prepared a 3-step guide and some additional tips so you know exactly how to paint a wall.

Are you planning to repaint the walls in the bedroom before selling the apartment? Or just moved in and want to give your living room a new look before you hang up your photos? In any case, you can use our step-by-step instructions for painting the walls.

STEP 1: INSPECTION AND PRE-TREATMENT OF THE WALL
It is important to pre-treat the wall so that the new paint fits well. The surface must be dry, clean, dust-free, smooth and solid. If there is old, peeling paint on the wall you are about to repaint, brush it off with water.

In the case of lime plaster, you can easily determine if a wall needs preparation by running a rag over it. If you find paint particles on the fabric, you should first wash the wall with a brush and water. The same goes for drywall walls. When the wall is dry, it is recommended to apply an even coat of primer. This will allow the paint to absorb better.

Tip: Stick a strip of tape on the wall where you want to paint, then peel it off with a sharp tug. If there is paint left on the adhesive tape, you must first wash the wall.

STEP 2: PROTECT INDIVIDUAL WALL AREAS
Preparation also includes protecting areas you don’t want to paint over. These include, for example, sockets, switches, door or window frames. Take painter’s tape and tape these areas carefully. Press the tape well against the surface so that the paint does not flow between them during the staining process. Of course, the floor must also be protected. For this, it is best to use a plastic film.

Tip: when removing the adhesive tape after painting, do not tear it off abruptly, but remove it slowly and smoothly.

STEP 3: PRIMER AND PAINTING THE WALL
After protecting the surfaces, you can finally start painting. If in step #1 you find that the wall needs to be primed first, you can apply the primer coat with a roller or a wide brush. Allow the primer to dry before painting. Drying time may vary, so it is very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging.

After priming, you can start painting in the selected color. If the original walls are white, only one layer is required. Dark colored walls will probably require a second coat. Be patient: the first layer must dry completely before you can proceed to the second.