Painting New Drywall can transform your space but requires extra preparation to ensure the finished product looks great and lasts. Skipping this step can lead to various problems, including paint that doesn’t adhere well or flaking and peeling over time.
Before starting, inspect the drywall with a bright work light and a pole sander with 150-grit sandpaper to smooth out any gouges and rough edges.
Whether you’re a homeowner doing renovations, needing to touch up a few spots of damage, or a contractor installing new drywall for a home addition, adding fresh paint to any room is an easy and inexpensive way to improve your home’s appearance. However, unlike painting standard walls, a lot more goes into the process of painting new drywall. Using the right techniques and preparing the surface correctly is essential for a professional-looking finish that will last.
Before starting to paint your new drywall, ensure it’s completely dry. If you don’t, the paint will sag and peel. Using a high-quality primer specially designed for drywall is also a good idea. It will help the wall adhere better and reduce the number of coats of paint required to get an even look.
Next, sand the drywall to remove any rough patches and make it smooth. This can be done with a pole sander, which is much easier than doing it by hand. This is especially important when working in a large area or in a high-traffic location, where snags and scratches can appear quickly.
Once the sanding is complete, you’ll want to apply a primer coat. Again, use a high quality one that is specifically made for drywall and is tinted to match your final paint color. After the primer has dried, you can then apply two coats of your chosen paint. Again, it’s recommended that you sand between each coat with 150-grit sandpaper to ensure the paint sticks properly and evenly.
Lastly, remember to wear a mask when working with drywall. There’s a lot of fine dust when sanding and priming, and it can be very harmful if inhaled. Be sure to cover furniture and other belongings in the room with drop cloths to prevent any unwanted smudges or stains. Be sure to ventilate the room as well, especially if you’re using a power tool like a sander. Also, be sure to take a break often! Painting drywall is a very labor-intensive job, and doing it well takes a great deal of time and patience.
Primer
If you’re painting new drywall, a primer is needed to ensure the top coats of paint stick well. Primers seal the drywall and present a surface that is ready for bonding, and they also help the topcoats dry quickly. If you skip the primer, your topcoats will take much longer to cure and will be prone to deep scratches and marks.
There are many different types of primers, and the one that’s right for you depends on the specific needs of your project. For example, if you’re painting a bathroom or kitchen, choose an oil-based primer that’s durable and can stand up to moisture.
Water-based and latex primers are good choices for most situations, since they’re inexpensive, low-VOC, and easy to work with. They also seal and prepare the drywall surface well, and they can be used with almost any type of paint.
For more demanding projects, shellac-based or oil-based primers can be useful. These are great for hiding stains and providing durability, but they’re expensive and require detailed cleaning after use.
Another consideration is the type of topcoat you’ll be using. If you’re going to be painting with glossy paint, choose a high-adhesion primer. It’s designed to help the topcoats stick well and won’t peel or bubble.
There are also specialized drywall primers for certain types of walls. For example, if you’re working with a new shower, opt for a waterproof drywall primer that will protect the wall from moisture and humidity.
Finally, don’t forget odor-control and mold killing primers. If you’re worried about odor, try an odorless product like Kilz or the mold-killing version of Kilz. If you’re concerned about mold, look for a primer that contains the active ingredient methylene diphenyl ether (MDA) or methylene glycol monomethyl ether (MGME). These products are safer and less toxic than other types of drywall primers. They’re also available in 4-quart cans, which makes them even more economical and convenient to work with. Some paints include a primer and paint in one, which can save time but isn’t ideal for new drywall since the primer may not provide enough coverage to hide blemishes.
Paint
Painting standard walls can be a simple and relatively easy task for anyone to tackle. However, when you are working with new drywall that needs to be painted, there are certain steps and procedures you will need to follow in order to get the best results possible. This is because drywall has its own unique issues and complications that need to be addressed in order for the paint to stick and look good.
Before you start applying your paint, it is important to prime the drywall. The primer will help seal the drywall and make it less porous, making it more receptive to the paint. It will also help block any stains or marks that may be present on the wall from bleeding through the final paint coats.
Once you have applied the primer to the drywall, let it dry for 2-3 hours. Once it is completely dry, you can then proceed with painting the drywall. You will need to apply 2 coats of paint in order to properly cover the drywall and create a smooth surface. Depending on the type of paint that you choose, it is recommended to use either a flat or satin finish. It is not a good idea to use a high sheen such as a semi-gloss or gloss, as the sheen can create problems with adhesion and will not be able to withstand any rubbing or washing that could occur in a normal home environment.
There are a few different types of paint that you can use when painting new drywall, but the best type of paint is usually a water-based paint. These types of paints are easy to work with, dry quickly, and can be cleaned up easily with a damp cloth. They will also be able to stand up to most normal household cleaning products, such as a mild detergent or vinegar solution.
If you are trying to save time, it is a good idea to purchase a paint that contains a primer built into it. This is especially true if you are going to be using the same color of paint that is already on the walls, as this will help the new paint adhere better to the existing material.
Finish
Painting standard walls is a relatively simple process that can be done by anyone with the right tools and knowledge. However, when it comes to painting new drywall, there are additional steps that must be taken to ensure proper adhesion and a smooth finish.
First, the drywall should be properly cleaned to remove any dust or dirt that may have settled on the surface. A damp cloth or mild detergent solution should be used, followed by a thorough rinsing with water. This step is important to prevent any contaminants from affecting the final paint job.
Next, the drywall must be lightly sanded to create an even surface. This will give the primer more surface area to adhere to and help ensure a long-lasting paint job. After sanding, the drywall should be cleaned again to remove any remaining dust and debris. Finally, the drywall should be primed using a high-quality primer that is compatible with the paint you will use.
Once the drywall has been cleaned, sanded, and primed, it is ready for paint. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times. Failure to do so could result in moisture trapping beneath the surface, causing peeling or bubbling.
There are many different types of paint available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to select a paint that is compatible with the type of drywall and will provide the desired look and durability. For example, matte or eggshell paints are ideal for drywall surfaces, as they hide surface imperfections and are washable. Semi-gloss paints, on the other hand, are more durable and are often used for kitchens, baths, and other high-use areas that are prone to moisture or other elements.
It is also important to remember that one coat of paint will not be enough to cover bare drywall. Two or more coats of paint will be needed to achieve a good-looking, professional finish. When applying the paint, be careful not to apply it too thickly, as this can lead to texture peaks that will show through the finished product.