When you’re ready to start painting your garage walls, it’s important to take steps beforehand to make the process go as smoothly as possible. By preparing the surface and using the right type of paint, you can avoid common problems and make your project successful. Here are a few tips to get you started!
Getting the Garage Ready for Paint: Preparation Steps
Although completing and painting the garage might not be at the top of your to-do list, it is a great method to increase your home’s worth.
- Organise your garage. Before you start painting, clear the area of any dirt, trash, or spider webs. A shop vac is the most effective way to remove debris like this.
- Spread out your cloth tarpaulin across the whole floor. This cloth is superior to a drop cloth for a ladder since it is considerably less slippery and dangerous.
- Check for cracks in the drywall and patch them up with joint compound. Cover up any imperfections by sanding them down to nothing.
- Wear goggles and a face shield to safeguard your eyes or lungs throughout this process.
- So, repaint your walls from top to bottom, but be mindful of the areas you’ve already touched up. Tack cloths, which are squishy and made for this purpose, can collect dust and debris left behind while sanding.
- It’s time to get out the damp cloth and give the walls a good wiping down.
- Open the garage door to let in some fresh air, then fill your bucket halfway with primer.
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Why Should I Paint the Garage?
The barren walls of your garage probably won’t make a good first impression on guests. However, garages can be transformed from eyesores to usable spaces simply by painting the walls, making them more presentable when visitors are invited inside.
Painting walls is simple, but you should know a few things before you start. First, many homes have their garage drywall taped and formed to a Level 2 finish, which means that only two small coats of the joint compound have indeed been put over the tape. Since unfinished drywall looks terrible once painted, completing it first is crucial in this scenario.
Only paint the garage while it’s warm outside unless it is heated if you live in a cold climate.
Be Sure to Start With Wall Cleaning
The walls of a garage will constantly be grimy if they are cleaned infrequently. Paint wonIn addition, pain ticks properly if dirt and grease are left to sit on the surface.
Using a shop vac with an upholstery brush attachment is an effective method for cleaning the walls. Use Dawn dish soap and a rag to clean the walls. Cleaning with abrasive chemicals is not required. Don’t blast the walls with water pressure. Putting that much force on it will crack the delicate surface.
Guide to Wall Preparation for New or Repainting Coatings
Priming the garage walls after cleaning them is just as crucial as painting them. A coat of high-quality polyvinyl acetate drywall primer should be applied to the new drywall before it is painted (or PVA). This is an essential process for achieving a uniform surface.
Garage walls with stains through the topcoat should be primed with an oil-based primer before being repainted. To be safe, prime the entire wall if there are many huge stains to cover.
When priming and preparing your garage for a new coat of paint, tighten any loose baseboards, remove any nails, and fill any holes. The goal is a spotless surface upon which to work.
Alternatives to Concrete for Your Garage Walls
There are several options for painting garage walls, but latex paint is the most durable and long-lasting. It’s ideal because it’s water-based, has a faint scent, and dries rapidly.
You’ll require paint thinner and much more time for drying between coats if you go for oil-based paint.
It’s easy to think that a garage needs external paint, but this is a horrible choice regardless of the garage’s size or ventilation system. It’s toxic and should be avoided in enclosed settings. We have everything from garage shelving to flooring to GarageSmart® SmartWalls that can completely transform your space.
Painting the Inside of a Garage
After washing and priming the garage walls, you are almost ready to paint. Prepare the room for the interior latex paint before opening the cans.
If you want a clean look when you paint the ceiling or the windows, pick up a roll of painter’s tape. Drop cloths or tarps should prevent leaks and spills from damaging your garage floor.
Once you’ve set up your safety precautions, you may begin painting. Here are some tried-and-true methods for giving your garage an interior paint job that looks like a pro did.
- Apply the paint with a roller using long, horizontal strokes to create a thin coat.
- The best place to begin is at the ceiling and work your way down.
- It would help if you waited for the paint to dry completely between coats.
- Apply two or three coats of paint for optimal coverage.
- Before removing the painter’s tape, be sure the final coat has dried fully.
Should I Prime My Garage Walls Before Painting?
Patched Walls
If the surface is in good shape, primer is not necessary. However, applying one coat of PVA (polyvinyl acetate) drywall primer is necessary if the drywall is new and has not been painted. A PVA primer on freshly hung drywall ensures a smooth, durable paint job.
Paint applied straight to freshly hung drywall tends to soak into the surface too quickly, producing an uneven finish. Paint dries more evenly and has a better appearance when put over primer.
Spots Of Water
If you have already painted the inside of your garage with latex paint, you probably won’t need to prime the entire space unless you have stubborn stains penetrating the paint. To eliminate stubborn stains, use an oil-based primer sealer spray.
Applying A New Coat Of Paint Over an Old Oil-Based One
Sanding the surface and priming it with a bonding primer, such as a modified acrylic primer, is necessary if the walls have previously been painted with oil-based paint. Oil paint’s smooth and firm surface does not accept the adhesive qualities of latex paint.
Failure to properly prepare the surface before painting latex over it is a common cause of paint failure. As a result of sanding, primer and paint can better adhere to the surface. Another choice is to paint the surface with oil-based paint to avoid the preparation process.
Lighter Colours Should Be Used When Painting Over Darker Ones
It may take several coats of white paint without a primer to cover dark garage wall paint. Since the primer is so substantial, only one or two coats of paint are needed for a good finish. GarageSmart® Storage Cabinets are perfect for any garage. With a range of sizes, colours, and styles to choose from, you can find the perfect cabinet for your needs.
In conclusion, painting garage walls can transform them into functional spaces with proper planning. Key steps include cleaning, priming, and choosing the right paint. For new drywall, apply a PVA primer before painting. Latex paint is durable for garage walls, and no primer is needed if the surface is in good condition. For walls previously painted with oil-based paint, sand and prime before repainting. Proper preparation ensures a smooth, long-lasting finish.
