Interior Paint Preparation
The Foundation of a Beautifully Painted Room

Proper interior paint preparation of your walls and ceilings before painting will often encompass more work than the actual painting. Up to 75% of the work can be getting a surface ready for painting.

Wall preparation for painting is more than covering the floor.

The amount of painting preparation needed depends on three factors; (1) If the surface is in relatively good condition and previously painted, (2) If it shows signs of severe wear and tear, or (3) If unpainted and needing many steps before the finish paint can be applied.

Many of the basic interior painting preparation steps are relevant to all situations, whether a room is in good shape or needing extensive repair.

Interior Paint Preparation For
A Room in Good Condition and Previously Painted

The easiest rooms to paint are in good condition needing only minor wall preparation for painting. Covering and protecting non-painted surfaces is always a good place to begin.

This includes moving the furniture away from the walls toward the center of the room. If possible, remove as much furniture from the room. The less obsticles the easier the room is to paint.

Repair can be pulling a few nails no longer needed for hanging pictures and filling small holes with light weight spackle. Minor cracks in the walls can be filled with the same spackle.

Now is a good time to check the caulking around windows and where the trim meets the wall, this includes all of the base and casing. If the trim is painted recaulk with a good siliconized acrylic caulk or elastomeric caulk.

Minor stains on the surfaces needing paint should be washed with mild soap and water or primed with a stain blocking primer if they can't be removed by washing. Now the interior painting can start. Apply the same type of paint that is on the surface or choose a good interior primer that is compatible with the finish paint.

Interior Paint Preparation For
A Room Showing Signs of Wear and Needing Repair

This is where the work is, I’ve seen a lot of rooms needing extensive interior paint preparation. Most painted surfaces will show signs of wear such as minor holes or major cracks in the walls or ceilings, chipped paint on the trim or water stains and possible water damage.

Some interior paint problems can be caused by poor preparation the last time it was painted. Interior paint preparation is the foundation for the entire job. If done correctly it can make your paint perform to its fullest potential. If done incorrectly or incompletely the best paint can crack, peel or chip easily.

If major or extensive drywall repair is needed it is best to empty the room of furniture as much as possible. Move all remaining items to the center of the room and cover completely with light weight plastic. Cover and protect unmovable objects plus areas not needing painting. Dust can cover all items, completely protect everything and save time cleaning after the room is painted.

All repairs need to be fully accomplished and primed before proceeding with the application of the finish paint. Priming drywall repairs or raw wood is necessary before painting.

Interior Preparation For
New Construction - Unpainted Walls and Ceilings

Interior paint preparation involving new unpainted surfaces are the easiest to deal with. Depending on the situation and how the primer and paint will be applied mask and protect windows and installed doors and trim.Painting the interior of a new home can be very quick at first until all the details need finishing, like painting wood trim and doors.

Walls and ceilings, textured or not, will require priming with a good acrylic wallboard primer or PVA primer. The technique used for applying the primer is the same for applying the paint. Back rolling is recommended in most situations if using an airless paint sprayer. After the primer is applied check the corners for minor cracks or defects and caulk where necessary.

If a room has been retextured, treat it as a new surface. Usually trim and doors are not installed until the walls and ceilings are painted. The trim and doors can be pre-finished before installation to save time.

Basic Interior Paint Preparation Steps

Here are some interior house painting steps that apply to most rooms and surfaces, including walls and ceilings. Any combination can be used to prepare a wall for painting.

1) Remove as many large items and furniture as possible. If any remain, move these items to the middle of the room. All interior painting projects will be easier if the room is mostly empty. A fully empty room is the easiest to paint.

2) Paint has a way of finding the smallest uncovered area, even from across the room. Make sure to cover all items, including the floor completely. Protect any remaining furniture with lightweight plastic and the floor with butyl-backed drop cloths. Pay attention to the area directly next to the wall. The drop cloth can easy move away from the wall as you walk on it.

3) Remove all pictures and hanging items from the walls and ceiling. Nails and hangers can be removed and the holes patched with light weight spackle if you don't require their use in the future.

4) If walls are excessively dirty then they should be cleaned. Areas of concern are kitchens, especially near the stove and sink, and bathrooms. Greasy deposits and soap scum will interfere with the paints adhesion. Most mild soaps can be used on light deposits of dirt and trisodium phosphate will make quick work of any heavy deposits of grease or dirt.

5) Remove all electrical switch plates and outlet covers. Reinstall the screws so they will not become misplaced or lost. Light fixtures can also be removed as long as you are confident working with electricity.

Removal of these items will make the painting faster and produce a better look. If the light fixtures are not removed, wrap it with blue painters tape and masking paper.

6) Protect the base, windowsills and doors from paint splatters with plastic, masking paper or wide tape.If the tape will be attached for two or more days use blue painter's tape, this tape won't seize to the surface as easily as ordinary masking tape.

The more you apply masking techniques and protect non-painted areas, the less time needed to clean splatters and drips.

Repair and Prime – The Second Part of Interior Paint Preparation

Now it’s time to examine all the walls and ceilings for paint problems, such as stains, holes, cracks, peeling and other imperfections. Interior paint preparation is providing a perfect backgroung for the finish paint.

• Water Stains – Water stains on the ceiling will indicate a possible leaking roof, the formation of ice in the attic or plumbing problems. Mold and mildew can also be an indicator of excessive moisture trapped inside a wall. These conditions will need to be repaired. Mold and mildew must be cleaned and primed before painting. After repairs are made, prevent the mold and mildew from recurring.
• Difficult Stains – Makeup, permanent marker, crayon, etc are all difficult stains to seal. All stains, including smoke damage and nicotine must be sealed with a stain blocking primer before painting. Apply two coats to be sure the stain won't reappear after painting.
• Peeling Paint - Can indicate a problem that needs to be fixed before starting your project. All loose or flaking paint must be removed. Often painting an older homes interior will require some scraping and sanding, especially windows.

All minor holes and cracks will require spackling. Plus now is the time for any major drywall repairs. Most repairs are easily done by any accomplished DIY homeowner. Apply an even coat of wallboard or stain blocking primer to any areas that received major drywall repairs.

• Holes – Anchor and nail holes can be patched with lightweight spackle. This spackle will not shrink and hardens quickly.
• Cracks – Cracked corners can be caulked with a paintable caulking. Minor drywall cracks can be spackled. Other cracks, such as a loose corner bead will require the proper drywall repair.

Don’t forget about the caulking, another important interior paint preparation step. Look for split or cracked caulking along painted base and casing. Around the windows will need to be checked out. Remove the old caulking if possible and re-caulk with a good quality, paintable caulking.

Hazards and Interior Paint Problems

If your home was built before the mid-1970’s it might contain lead in the primer and paint. Interior paint preparation through scraping and sanding introduces this lead into your environment.

Pregnant woman and children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning. Test any suspect surfaces with a lead test kit and visit the EPA website about lead in the home for more information. The good news is lead poisoning is preventable.

Another concern is the primer may contain VOC's, volatile organic compounds. These compounds are toxic in high doses and some people are allergic to these types of chemicals. The primers and finishes that contain the most are oil based products.

Although most water based primers and finishes contain VOC’s in smaller amounts. Use adequate ventilation and fans if necessary. If you feel light headed or faint seek fresh air immediately and increase the ventilation.

Interior paint preparation does have its dangers but the overall quality of your interior painting project is totally dependant on the surface preparation.

A room properly and fully prepared before painting will save you a lot of time when applying the finish plus produce better and more beautiful results.

Your Ideas

So many surfaces can be painted! I have shown many of the basics but you will eventually find a situation that is unique. What did you do? I would love to know. Use the form below and tell the world, plus have your own web page.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Paint job took two years and everything peeled and cracked.  Not rated yet
Several years ago my husband painted our living room, dining room and hallway. With limited time to devote, he sanded, spackled and primed. However, he ...

Painting over vinyl faced wall paper.  Not rated yet
While remodeling our new home the previous owners had installed vinyl faced paper backed wall paper in their bedroom. There are many options for the DIYer ...

Tips For Preparing To Paint Your Interiors  Not rated yet
Painting your home's interior can perform wonders! You can change it from drab to dynamic, from shabby to sophisticated, and from faded to fresh! The proper ...

Masking and Priming Sheetrock  Not rated yet
You can save time masking windows and materials (interior/exterior) by cutting painters plastic 4-5 inches longer than the window, and tacking it over ...