When a home has been recently built, had an addition, remodeling has occurred or has had a simple repair, a wall will need attention. When drywall is freshly installed, mudded, and textured, the last step is painting the walls or ceilings. Painting may seem like a quick and easy job. However, new drywall can pose a few extra challenges than walls that have already been painted before. McKay’s Painting will share a few tips when it comes to painting drywall for the first time.

How to Prepare Drywall for Painting

Before you begin painting the wall, you will first want to repair any imperfections. Look for ridges or rough areas on the wall. You can use a flashlight to find the flaws. Shine the flashlight on an angle of the wall and it will create shadows or reveal the imperfections. Sand down the ridges and use a feather duster to remove the remnants. You can even use a damp rag. Just make sure all of the dust is off of the wall but only if the texture is fully dry and strong. Next you will want to gather all of the tools and materials for the job. For applying the paint you can either use a roller method or paint sprayer. It is recommended if you’re using a roller to use lamb’s wool or mohair versus a polyester roller cover. A polyester roller can leave behind lint and not cover the wall evenly. Depending on the surface of the wall, if the wall texture is smooth, use a ¼ inch nap (roller thickness) if the texture has a somewhat lifted finish, use a 3/8 inch nap. For high textured walls, make sure to use a full 1 inch nap roller. It is also recommended to use a trapper edges paint brush with synthetic-bristles. Natural bristles swell when it comes in contact with the paint and goes limp after a short period of use.

How Many Coats of Primer?

When picking your paint, make sure you either get a primer or combination paint and primer for new drywall painting protects. Priming the wall is essential in any painting project. The primer will seal and protect the wall from water damage and weathering. This is why you will want to use paint with a primer or prime on the wall before painting. If you’re priming the wall separately, you apply the primer just as you would paint with a roller or painting sprayer. Two primer coats are recommended when painting new drywall because much of the first primer coat will be soaked up by the wall. The second coat will replenish any primer absorbed by the surface and help to hide any flaws in the wall.

Painting Walls

One of the major troubles with painting new drywall for the first time is how dry the walls are. New drywall tends to soak up a lot of paint on that first coat. You will need more paint. A gallon of paint will cover a certain amount of square feet. However, you will find the typical estimation is different for new drywall. Therefore, get extra paint and plan for at least two coats. With your paint and primer in hand you can begin painting your walls.

Interior & Exterior Painting & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & Santa Barbara California

If you need to repair your drywall or need drywall installed and help painting it afterwards, McKay’s Painting can help. To schedule our services, contact McKay’s Painting today..