Painting walls after removing wallpaper requires careful preparation to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Prepare the Walls: The Most Crucial Step
The key to success is thoroughly cleaning the walls to eliminate all traces of old wallpaper paste residue. This residue can react with paint, causing discoloration and cracking.
- Wash the walls: Use a solution of sugar soap (trisodium phosphate) and warm water to scrub the walls. This will remove any remaining adhesive and grime. Rinse with clean water and allow to dry completely.
- Repair any damage: Fill any holes, dents, or imperfections with spackle or joint compound. Let it dry, then sand smooth.
2. Prime the Walls: A Necessary Barrier
Priming is essential for several reasons:
- Seals the surface: Primer seals the porous surface of the wall, preventing the paint from being absorbed unevenly.
- Blocks stains: It prevents any residual paste from bleeding through the paint.
- Provides adhesion: Primer creates a better surface for the paint to adhere to, ensuring a more durable finish.
Recommended Primer: Zinsser primer is highly recommended because it’s specifically designed to block stains and seal porous surfaces. Apply one or two coats of primer, following the manufacturer's instructions, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
3. Painting the Walls: Applying the Finish
Once the primer is dry, you can begin painting.
- Cut in: Use a brush to paint the edges of the wall where it meets the ceiling, trim, and corners.
- Roll: Use a roller to apply the paint to the rest of the wall.
- Apply multiple coats: Two coats of paint are generally recommended for full coverage and a professional-looking finish. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next.
Summary of Steps:
| Step | Description | Materials Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prep | Clean and repair the walls to remove paste and imperfections. | Sugar soap, water, sponge, bucket, spackle/joint compound, sandpaper |
| 2. Prime | Apply a primer (Zinsser recommended) to seal the surface and prevent bleed-through. | Zinsser primer (or similar stain-blocking primer), paint brush, roller, paint tray |
| 3. Paint | Apply two coats of paint for full coverage. | Paint, paint brush, roller, paint tray |
By following these steps carefully, you can successfully paint walls after wallpaper removal and achieve a beautiful, long-lasting result.
