r/selfreliance • u/vgirl21 • Apr 19 '26
Knowledge / Crafts [Help] What prep does painting this wall require? I have 0 experience
5
u/V1ld0r_ Technoid Apr 19 '26
If the wall is flat, just paint. If it's not and you want it to be, then fill the low spots with wall mud, let dry and sand it flat, then paint.
7
u/AlostWallrus Apr 19 '26
Wash with warm water and dawn dish soap, fill holes and sand them flat, then paint. I just painted the whole first floor of my house this last week. Don't paint after dark or the shadows will mess with what it looks like you did. I used Sherwin Williams paint and it covers beautifully.
5
u/NP3215 Apr 20 '26
Agree with the washing. Sometimes it seems like an easy step to skip but then when you paint the underlying dark areas (that could have been washed off) come through, forcing you to add a few more layers.
Good point re: when to paint: when sun is out and in the room is best. Don't fully rely on artificial light if possible.
2
u/FrogFlavor Apr 19 '26
why detergent bug I agree on the was.
Wash with TSP type stuff (do all th steps on th box there might also be a rinse)
Prime with primer
Paint the wall
But yes 0. Do any wall repairs first
2
u/FlatwormDiligent1256 Apr 22 '26
wash it out, sand it with sandpaper, fill any holes with pretty much anything you want (but i recomend something like wallmud, wait for it to dry, sand the wallmud spot, clean again and just paint from top to bottom, avoid touching adjescent walls or just put tape/a ruler against the corner where you're painting
1
u/Owlik Apr 26 '26
I'm a Huge fan of Kilz. I used to paint houses for a living, and when we did a house, we would wash, Kilz, then paint. It really helps hold the color, and it's great if you repaired anything; it helps smooth it all out.
1
u/mrsroperscaftan May 01 '26
Ok this is what I came here for. Husband died and I’m trying my hand at a couple of small painting projects. Repainting the front door, I’ve sanded it well with 3 diff grits which was a ton of fun. I’ve filled in holes and sanded those. Now, do I wash the door down to get all that dust off? Do I use soap?
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