A handy guide for preparing walls for painting

Before you get started

• Don’t pull out old nails, since you’ll risk damaging your plasterboard. Instead, tap these nails into the wall, then fill the holes with a filling compound.

• Crayon and ballpoint pen marks on walls will bleed through a fresh coat of paint. To remove them, rub with a dab of toothpaste on a damp cloth, then rinse with clean water. If some marks still remain, cover them with a stain sealer.

• Use a water-based acrylic sealant to fill cracks, scratches and seams in plaster and plasterboard before painting or papering. Apply it with a sealant gun or straight from the tube, and smooth it with a wet fingertip (while wearing protective surgical gloves).

• To remove mould before repainting, use a mildew remover or a solution of one part bleach to two parts water. Don’t use a household cleaner; the resulting oily patch may prevent fresh paint from adhering.

What you will need

• Masking tape

• Plastic drop sheets

• Rubber gloves

• Clean rags and sponges

• Dishwashing detergent and warm water

• Household bleach

• Mild, non-ammonia detergent

• Paint scraper

• Abrasive paper

• Filling compound

• Filling knife

• Dustpan brush

• Primer or sealer

• Dust mask, goggles and respirator

• Hammer and nail punch (if required)

• Deglosser (optional).

1. Wash it down

• Remove all door locks and other fittings.

• Cover and tape over light switches and fittings, thermostats and electrical outlets.

• Cover the floor with drop sheets.

• Wearing rubber gloves, wash all surfaces thoroughly with warm water and dishwashing detergent.

• Remove any mildew with a solution of water, bleach and mild non-ammonia detergent.

2. Level the surface

• Remove any loose or peeling paint with your scraper, and feather the edges with sandpaper.

• Patch large, uneven areas or deep gaps in the paint with a filling compound.

• Don’t try to remove nails; instead, tap them in with a nail punch and fill the holes.

• Level any areas you have filled and, once dry, sand them smooth.

3. Take the shine off

• Sand glossy surfaces with fine sandpaper, wearing a dust mask and goggles as you work.

• Alternatively, use a commercial deglosser according to the manufacturer’s directions on glossy surfaces.

• Make sure the room is well-ventilated.

4. Sweep it clean

• After sanding, brush away all the dust.

• Dusting will suffice for most ceilings, but kitchen and bathroom ceilings, which may be greasy or stained with mildew, need special attention.

• Spot-clean these surfaces.

• You can also buy primers and paints formulated with anti-mould agents in them.

5. Prime it up

• Seal or prime raw wood.

• Also spot-prime any newly patched areas on the wall(s) you’ll be painting.

• You may want to tint the primer to cut down on the number of finishing coats that will be necessary.

• You will want to track your progress as you paint so don’t make the primer exactly the same colour as the finishing coat.

• Position a hand-held bulb or bright torch so it shines across the surface you’re preparing to paint.

• The light will highlight flaws that aren’t as obvious in daylight.

• Take a pencil (not a pen or marker) and lightly circle the spots that need work.

• Always wash the walls and ceiling thoroughly before painting.

• A simple sugar soap solution will remove most grease and grime.

• Dampen your cloth, don’t saturate: that way you won’t have water trickling into electrical outlets.

• Rinse the surface and allow to dry before repainting.

Follow this handy guide and you’ll have prepared your surfaces well for a fine finish of paint.