Painting a room a new and fresh color is the cheapest and easiest do-it yourself home improvement project. Here are 3 simple steps to help you prepare your walls for painting.


Follow these steps to prepare your wall for painting.


1. Cleaning
Wash the walls with soap and water. If there are evidence of mold, add up to a quart of bleach to 3 quarts of an ammonia-free detergent solution. Don't forget to protect nearby floors with drop cloths. Allow the bleach solution to remain on the wall for 15 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.


2. Smoothing surfaces


Scrape any cracked or flaking areas with a paint scraper until you reach paint that is solidly fixed on the wall.


Where the paper surface of drywall is torn, trim the tear free with a utility knife, and apply joint compound over the damage.


Use a wide blade to fill large bare patches with joint compound. Apply several thin coats instead of one thick layer.



Use a power palm sander or a sanding block to smooth the patches. Over sanding can scuff the drywall surface.


3. Use a Primer

Prime all repaired areas, following the paint manufacturer’s recommendations for priming. Note: Also use a primer on dark color walls.


Good luck and have fun painting.