Anyone can paint a wall. For beginning do-it-yourself painters, here we will explain the main steps required to paint interior walls.
What kind of wall paint to use?
Wall paint, a paint roller, and a brush are the main tools for painting interior walls. For the wall paint, it is best to use dispersion paint, a type of paint especially for stucco and wallpaper. Lacquer paint is only used for wood and metals. With dispersion paints (acrylic or latex based) you can significantly reduce your workload, because quality brands based on dispersion already cover from the first coat and provide bright colors for a long time.
How much paint do I need?
You can have the desired color pre-mixed in the DIY store! A bucket of 10 liters is sufficient for an area of approximately 60 square meters. Colored wall paint (but also white latex paint) must be thoroughly stirred before painting the wall, so that the color pigments are evenly distributed.
The preparation: cover and tape
With all paintwork it is recommended to protect floors, carpets and furniture, as well as windows and doors against splashes, for example with a cover foil or with cloths. Transitions to doors, windows and tiles can be easily covered with painter’s tape.
Remove old wallpaper and paint residues
If the wall was wallpapered before, it is important to completely remove old wallpaper residues. With a piece of adhesive tape you can quickly test how the wall is doing: simply press a piece of tape against the surface and pull it away again. If plaster residues, old paint or wallpaper residues stick to it, it is advisable to wash the wall with a sponge or damp cloth. Unevenness and holes can be repaired with filler. Tip: pre-coat any moisture or rust spots with insulation paint! And preferably do not seal cracks or holes with silicone sealant because no wall paint will adhere to it.
Before painting the wall, it is first carefully wiped with a hand brush, so that no dust or plaster grains adhere to the paint roller that could prevent the application of an even layer of paint.
Prime new stucco
A primer can improve the adhesion of the paint to porous walls. You can prime the wall according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Let this primer dry thoroughly before painting the walls!
First the ceiling, then the walls
As a rule of thumb when painting, you should start with the ceiling and then paint the walls. When applying different colors of paint, masking tape prevents you from accidentally painting adjacent walls and ceiling.
How do you get the best result?
The edges at the transition of the colored areas can easily be covered with tape. When spreading the paint on edges and hard-to-reach corners, a radiator brush, a so-called “goat’s leg” can be used. or a small paint roller will come in handy. With a large paint roller, the paint can be applied evenly on large surfaces. For an optimal result, you should apply the paint in strips, “wet on wet” and preferably in one movement on the wall.