August 6, 2020, 3:05 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Once the paint dries, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise. Even if you think you’ve evenly applied the paint with a roller or brush, shadows and spots can sometimes appear unexpectedly. The most common reason for this is using the wrong technique. Here’s what you need to know.
Especially with dark wall colors, it’s not easy to paint without shadows and spots. Clean work is absolutely necessary alongside the right technique if you want to save yourself extra effort. Here’s how to properly paint your walls.
1. Prepare the Wall
The final result also depends on the surface. “It must be even, smooth, clean, and stable,” explains Beate Bliedtner from the Berlin-Brandenburg State Guild Association of Painters and Varnishers.
If it’s not a non-woven wallpaper that can be easily painted over, a primer is usually necessary. Walls made of uncoated plaster, drywall, or gypsum board, for example, need a so-called deep primer to be properly painted. “It ensures that the applied paint covers better,” explains Michael Pommer, a trainer at the DIY Academy in Cologne.
The deep primer slows down moisture absorption by the wall and solidifies sandy surfaces like old plaster or concrete. It also allows for even application of paint. Important: “There’s a suitable primer for every paint,” explains Peter Killinger from the Federal Association for Color Design and Building Protection in Frankfurt.
2. Choose the Right Paint
“Dispersion paints are particularly suitable for strong colors,” explains Killinger. “They adhere to almost any surface. Mineral paints, on the other hand, are not suitable everywhere.”
Especially strong colors like red, brown, yellow, and orange cover walls less effectively than lighter tones. “You may need to prime with a different tone,” says Bliedtner. For red, this might be a light gray. Which undercoat color is suitable depends on the shade and manufacturer. It’s best to ask in a specialty store.
3. Wash New Tools Before Use
“New paint rollers should be washed before first use, otherwise annoying lint will form,” says Pommer. Then let the roller dry a bit–but not completely. A slightly damp roller absorbs paint better.
Also interesting: Chalkboard paint and chalkboard lacquer–what’s the difference?
4. Use the “Wet-on-Wet Technique”
A rule for painting is: work “wet-on-wet.” “First paint the corners and then immediately apply paint to the large areas,” explains Bliedtner. The wet paint spreads a bit from the corners onto the surface. “DIYers often paint the corners first, let the paint dry, and then roll the walls. Unfortunately, you can see this in the end.”
Wet-on-wet also means that at least one wall should be painted in one go. Breaks leave shadows on the surface.
Also interesting: These 16 types of brushes you should know
Covering old tiles in the bathroom in 8 steps
How to Paint Tiles Correctly in 6 Steps
5. Paint in a Crisscross Pattern
“To ensure the paint is applied evenly, it’s advisable to work in a crisscross pattern,” explains DIY trainer Pommer. The paint is rolled vertically and then horizontally, so the strokes intersect.
Additionally, strong colors should be applied twice, advises master painter and varnisher Killinger. This applies even if the initial coat looks good. “Sometimes shadows and spots become more apparent after months. This happens especially when only one coat was applied,” says expert Bliedtner.
6. Allow Time to Dry
There must be enough time to dry between coats. “Six hours is the minimum,” emphasizes Pommer. “If you paint too soon over still wet paint, it will come off.”