How To Paint A Wall

Step 1: You will need…

Step 2: Amount of paint

To make sure you have enough paint for the job at hand you will need to calculate the number of cans needed.

Measure the length of all the walls and add them together. Times this number by the height of the room and this will give you the total volume of your room in feet squared.

Each 1 gallon [3.8 litre] can of paint will cover an average of between 118 – 150 Square Feet [3.3 and 4.2 m2] and you should purchase enough for at least 2 coats.

Step 3: Masking

The best way to get a straight and clean line between the wall and the baseboards, light switches and anything else you don't want to accidentally paint, is to mask them off with tape. Although this step is often seen as unduly time-consuming, skipping it will result in an unprofessional finish.

Be sure to use only masking tape especially made for this purpose. It is sometimes called “painter's tape” and is readily available at DIY stores.

Press down against the tape with your finger or a putty knife to seal it against the surface. This will prevent paint from seeping behind the tape.

Step 4: Primer

This is dictated by the existing colour of your room and the colour you wish to paint it. The higher the contrast the more likely that it is that you will need a primer.

Primer also helps seal the wall and creates a smooth, nonporous surface ready for the top coat. You must always use primer over parts of the walls that have been repaired with “filler” or “spackling”.

Step 5: You are now ready to paint

Make sure that windows are open and the room is well ventilated. You may also consider wearing a face mask. Open the can of paint using a flat-headed screw driver and then stir with a painting stick. Pour the paint into the painting tray.

Dip the roller into the paint and then roll back and forth in the tray until an even coat surrounds the entire roller. Do not add too much paint as the roller will slide across the wall, smearing paint and flicking it over you and the rest of the room. Gentle, forward and back motions will quickly and evenly cover the wall.

In order to paint the detailed work, use a 1 or 2 inch paint brush. Dip the paintbrush into the paint and just like the roller make sure not to over “load” the brush with too much paint. Begin painting using long, flowing brush strokes. Time spent properly masking the room is now saved as you quickly cover the edges of the walls.

Depending on the colour of the paint and whether you used primer, you may only need one coat. However, you often need to apply two coats to obtain full wall coverage and give the best finish.

Step 6: Remove the masking tape

When the wall is nearly dry, carefully remove the masking tape. The best way to know when it's time to remove the tape is to touch a bit of paint on it. It should feel tacky but not stick to your finger.

If you find that any paint has leaked underneath, then use a damp sponge to remove the paint. Now gently refit the light switches and outlet covers.