When you are ready for a new coat of paint, be prepared to do a bit of prep-work before adding colour to your walls. While it may take a bit more time, prepping a wall like a professional will ensure the final results not only look amazing but will stand the test of time.

That means removing any wallpaper, washing the walls (to remove dirt and grime), filling those gaps and sanding down those lumps are all essential steps. The prep work will help the paint adhere seamlessly and the colour appears flat, while covering any cosmetic damage (like nail holes).

Don’t think you can escape the prep work if you’re not actually painting, either. Whether you’re painting, wallpapering, stuccoing, stencilling or adding graffiti a wall, you want to be able to work from the flattest and most pristine surface possible. While prep work delays the gratification of getting right to business, you’ll be much happier with the final results if you take the time to handle all of the detailed repairs and cleaning of the surface at the beginning, instead of trying to fix things as you go.

If you’re not sure how to prep a room for painting, here’s a handy guide

Prep your walls for painting

Firstly, make sure your walls are clean and free from debris such as adhesives.

It’s a good idea to wipe the wall down with a sugar soap solution that will remove built-up nicotine, stains, and marks. Give it a good scrub and wipe it down with clean water to make sure the surface is dirt and grime free. This will help the paint adhere evenly to the wall, and ensure it does not bubble or pull away from the surface.

It will also give the new paint or wallpaper a good clean surface to stick to.

Before continuing, make sure the surface is absolutely dry by wiping down the walls with a clean, dry cloth or waiting a few hours. This is crucial as a wet surface will also affect the adhesive qualities of the paint or wallpaper paste.

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Fill in any wall cracks before painting

Next, remove any nails, hooks or screws from the surface. Check the surface for any holes, cracks or gaps and fill them with a pre-mixed plaster or a gap-filler.

First, use a low-grade paper to roughly sand back the area over and surrounding the holes and wipe off any excess dust.

Scrape the plaster mix over the gaps or hole using a spatula or putty knife.

Apply a thick layer and then scrape it back over the hole to ensure it’s completely covered and no air is trapped under the patched area. Larger holes may require a patch kit to help cover the hole and allow the plaster mix to adhere more effectively.

Sand your wall for a smooth finish

Once the plaster is dry, put on a protective mask and, using high-grade fine sandpaper over a sanding block, sand back the area using a circular motion until the patch is smooth and even.

Check the rest of the wall surface and remove any cracked paint.

Have a good look in the corners of the room for any additional gaps.

It’s trickier to get into these gaps with a sealant. In this case, use a caulking gun while wiping off any unnecessary filler as you go. Let it dry completely, and sand back any excess.

Prime your wall before adding paint colours

If the wall has previously been painted, you won’t need to use a primer, unless there are big patches of raw plaster. However, if you are covering over rather dark colours with light colours, priming the area may be a good idea, so the old colour doesn’t come through.

Make sure you check with your hardware store about the best primer for the job and let them know, if possible, what the surface base is so that they can advise you properly

Follow the product instructions for the number of coats to apply. Once again, it’s important to wait until the primer coat is when completely dry before continuing on. Once it is, you’re ready to transform your wall and give it a fresh new look.

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Acquire paint swatches and start painting

Your hardware store will be able to provide you with sample pots of paint or swatches of wallpaper so you can see the effect the new texture or colour will have on the rest of your home. Look for a hardware store or paint supply store in your neighbourhood.

You could also consult an interior decorator if you’re not sure how to incorporate the design scheme in with the rest of your home, or if you’re looking to extend the new look into other living spaces. Find an interior designer, here.

If you decide that DIY painting is not for you, call up a painter and decorator for a quote today. You can find an expert tradie in your neighbourhood, here.