To properly prep walls for painting after wallpaper removal, you'll need to smooth the surface and remove any remaining residue. Here's how:
Steps for Wall Preparation
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Skim Coat the Walls:
- Apply a thin layer of joint compound (also known as drywall mud) to the walls using a 12-inch drywall blade or knife. This "skim coat" fills in any imperfections, tears, or adhesive residue left behind from the wallpaper.
- The goal is to create a smooth, even surface. Don't worry about perfection at this stage.
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Sanding:
- Once the skim coat is completely dry (usually 24 hours), use a pole sander with medium-grit sandpaper to smooth the walls.
- Focus on sanding down any high spots, ridges, or bumps in the joint compound.
- Be careful not to sand too aggressively, as you could damage the drywall underneath.
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Cleaning:
- After sanding, thoroughly wipe down the walls with damp cloths or sponges to remove all sanding dust.
- This is crucial for proper paint adhesion. Change the water frequently to avoid spreading dust around.
- Allow the walls to dry completely before proceeding.
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Priming:
- Apply a coat of high-quality primer to the walls. A primer seals the surface, helps the paint adhere better, and provides a uniform base color.
- Use a stain-blocking primer if there are any residual stains from the wallpaper adhesive that the skim coat didn't completely cover.
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Final Inspection and Touch-Ups:
- After the primer has dried, inspect the walls for any remaining imperfections.
- If you find any, spot-apply more joint compound, sand lightly, and re-prime the area.
With these steps, your walls will be smooth, uniform, and ready for a fresh coat of paint!
