How to Paint a Wall White

How to Paint a Wall White – Important Steps to Follow

Do you want to know how to paint a wall white? If you are a beginner painter, it is normal to fear painting your walls white. In the case you want to repaint that navy blue wall you were so fond of five years ago, reading this guide will help you. Moreover, you should keep in mind that repainting a dark wall in white is not something to fear.

However, you should factor in time and set aside a budget for the project. This is the first piece of advice to consider before tackling white paint on a dark wall. No need for ultra technical knowledge to start the project, but following the steps to the letter is of great importance. Follow our guide!

How to Paint a Wall White

As with any DIY task, repainting a dark wall in white requires patience and attention to detail. If you fail to follow all the necessary steps, it is highly likely that the final result will not satisfy you. In order to avoid any disappointment, it is important to invest in an undercoat.

The undercoat is above all essential to extinguish the first color, and you also use it to banish traces and pigment buildup on the new paint. Also, note that repainting a wall in white does not necessarily rhyme with white undercoat. On the contrary, it is best to choose a slightly tinted one in a lighter color than the one on the wall.

Steps To Repaint a Dark Wall in White

By following these four steps, you are giving yourself the best chance to cover your dark wall with a white finish without any marks.

Clean the wall: preparing the wall to ensure the adhesion of a coat of paint is essential. Start by filling a large bucket with warm water to which you will add a little soap or surface wash. Then, using a sponge, clean the wall in small circular movements before rinsing with clear water. The purpose of this step is to remove dust, dirt, and grease that has settled on it over time.

Sanding the wall: once the wall is completely dry, it is time to move on to sanding. While this step is recommended, it is only mandatory if the surface to paint has roughness or cracks. There are two options for smoothing the surface:

You can use an electric wall sander or, if the surface is small, a sanding block equipped with sandpaper. As for cleaning, use circular movements until you no longer feel any defects. Finish this step by wiping the wall with a slightly dampened cloth to remove any remaining dust.

Important Steps

Applying an undercoat: to camouflage and prevent the pigments of the old paint from rising, apply an undercoat. The undercoat is also known as a primer, and is essential. Once the roller is loaded, apply generously to the wall using the crossover method. That is from bottom to top, then from left to right.

Be careful not to repeat the application too many times in the same places, as this may create excess thickness. Then, smooth the underlay and allow to dry. In general, a single coat of primer is sufficient to cover a dark color.

Finish with two coats of paint: once your wall is dry, four to six hours after the application of the undercoat, you will obtain a total opacity of the old paint. You can then start the last long awaited step: repainting the wall white.

Conclusion

For a perfect result, two coats will be necessary. Be sure to respect the drying time between each coat, two to six hours, depending on the type of paint you use. Otherwise, you risk spoiling all the work done beforehand.

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