How to Prepare a Room for Painting | DIY Tips with Elite Handyman Services of PA

Sean Burman
May 18, 2024
3 min read

Hey everybody, Sean here with Elite Handyman Services of Pennsylvania! Saturdays are for the DIYers, and today's DIY tip is all about how to prepare a room for painting. Preparation is the key to achieving a professional-looking finish, so let’s dive into the steps you need to take to get your room ready.

Clearing and Protecting Your Room

The first step in preparing a room for painting is to clear the room as much as possible. Remove items from the walls and move out as much furniture as you can. For larger pieces like couches, armchairs, coffee tables, and beds, push them towards the center of the room and cover them with a drop cloth, canvas, or plastic to keep them protected, especially if you're painting ceilings.

Next, protect the rest of the room by covering the floors with drop cloths or ram board. This will safeguard your floors from paint spills and splatters.

Cleaning and Repairing the Walls

Before you start painting, make sure your walls are clean. Begin by dry dusting with a shop cloth. If your walls are particularly greasy or dirty, use a damp cloth with a mild soap solution. Once the walls are clean, ensure they are completely dry before moving on to repairs.

Tools and Materials for Wall Repairs

Lightweight Spackle: For small nail holes and minor imperfections, use a lightweight spackle. It dries quickly and is easy to work with. Get it here.
Joint Compounds: For larger holes, use joint compounds like Easy Sand 5 and Easy Sand 20. Easy Sand 5 gives you about 5 minutes of work time, while Easy Sand 20 provides around 20 minutes. Easy Sand 5 and Easy Sand 20 are great choices.
Mixing Tools: Use a pan lined with a trash bag for easy cleanup, a measuring cup for adding water, and a putty knife for mixing.
High-Quality Primers: When making a dramatic color change or painting in high-moisture areas, use a high-quality primer. My go-to options are Kills mold and mildew primer and Binzinser2. Find them here.

Patching and Priming

For patching, use mesh tape or paper tape on larger holes to ensure a smooth finish. Get your mesh and paper tape here. After patching, sand the areas with medium and fine grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to achieve a flush surface. Medium and fine grit sandpaper and sanding sponges are essential tools.

Priming (Optional)

Priming is necessary when transitioning from a dark to a light color or making a significant color shift. While some may skip this step, I recommend it for the best results. Use a high-quality primer like Kills or Binzinser2 in bathrooms, kitchens, or other moist areas.

Taping and Final Preparations

For a neat finish, tape areas where you don’t want paint, such as trim and baseboards. Although I rarely need to tape due to years of practice, it’s a good step for DIYers.

Essential Tools in My Painting Kit

5-in-1 Tool: This versatile tool is perfect for opening paint cans, cleaning rollers, and notching out small holes. Get it here.
Rubbing Alcohol Swabs: These are handy for quickly cleaning up small drips or spills. Find them here.

Ready to Paint!

Once your room is prepped, you're ready to start painting. If this process feels overwhelming and you'd rather hire a professional, painting is one of my favorite things to do. If you're located in the greater Philadelphia area, don't hesitate to reach out. You can call or text (267)-405-1687 or email elitehandymanservicespa@gmail.com

Thanks for reading, and happy DIYing!

Affiliate Links: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Using these links helps support me and my business at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!