How to prepare a wall for painting

For a previously painted wall, wear gloves and use sugar soap wipes to clean it, looking for spots and stains to scrub away and removing dust that has settled along skirting boards. Wipe over the wall again with a clean cloth to ensure it’s dry. You can skip this cleaning step if the walls have new plasterboard or are freshly sheeted.

The next step is to scrape off any flaking paint. Position a drop sheet over the floor and against the wall. Put on your gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask, hold a paint scraper at about 45 degrees and use it to smooth over any rough patches of flaking and cracked paint.

Make sure you go over any picture hook holes, plasterboard joins and previous paint drips. You’ll need a stable ladder to reach the high spots.

A fast-drying, pre-mixed filler is a good choice – it’s easy to use and you don’t have to worry about getting the consistency right.

For bigger holes, apply the filler in layers, leaving to dry after each. If you try and fill it all at once, it won’t dry evenly and could even crack as it cures. Be patient!

Fill gaps at the edges and corners of the wall with a multipurpose, flexible gap sealer. Follow with a damp cloth to wipe off any excess, while pushing the filler into the corners, aiming for a smooth finish.

Let the filler dry completely. Then pop on your safety glasses and dust mask and use a hand sander with 120-grit abrasive paper to smooth all over, including around the edges.

Run your hand over the filled sections to feel for any bumps and sand until smooth and even.

Brush down the wall with a clean, soft-bristled broom to remove all the dust. Now you’re ready to undercoat or paint.

Follow our step-by-step instructions on how to undercoat a wall.

Photo Credit: Michelle Holden