Preparing your painting surface is an extremely important first step. If you take the time to do it correctly, it’ll make applying your final coat easier, and will keep your finished project looking pristine for years to come. Follow these simple steps to help ensure a beautiful, lasting finish.

1. Protect floors and remove furniture.

• If possible, move all furniture away from the wall and into the center of the room.
• Cover everything with dropcloths.
• Drape or wrap any hanging light fixtures or ceiling fans in plastic if you are painting the ceiling.
• Remove all switch plates and outlet covers.
• Take down draperies and pictures, and remove any nails from the walls.
   

2. Mask all trim and windows.

• Use masking tape to protect glass and trim.
• WATCH OUT! Be sure to remove the tape before the paint dries, otherwise the paint may pull off.

3. Troubleshoot and repair.

• If you don’t address problems now, they’ll continue to be problems—even under a fresh coat of paint.
• With every problem area you fix, your goal is a smooth, clean surface. Before you begin, make sure you have proper eye and respiratory protection, and open windows.
• First, we’ll give you the basics on how to sand and scrape—two pillars of good prep work. Then, check out our troubleshooting tips for any specific problems your surface may have.

How to Sand and Scrape:

1. Scrape up and under all loose paint using a flat scraper.
2. Begin sanding.
3. Use a heavier grit sandpaper when trying to feather (or smooth) a painted surface to a non-painted surface.
4. Use a finer grit sandpaper to dull glossy surfaces, such as wood paneling or areas previously painted with a high-gloss finish.
    

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Peeling paint  
Minor cracks or holes
Large cracks or holes
Blistering
Removing wallpaper
Mildew
Smoke Stains
Water Stains
Grease Stains
Crayon Stains

Peeling paint: 
Why it happened: old, brittle paint; applying paint too thinly or thickly; poor or no surface preparation.

Solve It:

• Remove areas of flaking or loose paint with a scraper or wire brush.
• Sand the surface and the surrounding area.

Minor cracks or holes:  
Solve It:

1. If you’ve got some nail holes to repair, or other small imperfections, chip away any loose plaster around the crack. This may actually make the hole bigger but will prevent further cracking.
2. Fill the hole with drywall compound or spackle, and smooth out (or feather) the putty until it is smooth with the rest of the wall.
3. Let dry.
4. Sand the area to be sure it is totally smooth with the rest of the wall.
5. Remove dust with a damp rag.

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Large cracks or holes:  
Solve It:

1. For larger cracks or holes, sand the area over and around the imperfection (about 4 inches beyond the hole.)
2. Adhere a self-adhesive mesh wall patch over the hole.
3. Use a putty knife to apply the patching material over and around the wall patch (make sure to feather or smooth out the material again.)
4. Let it dry.
5. Apply the patching material again, this time feathering out to about 6-8 inches beyond the hole.
6. Once it dries again, sand the area smooth.

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Blistering:    bubbles under paint surface
Why it happened: Exposure to moisture shortly before the paint has completely dried; applying an oil paint to a damp surface.
Solve It:

1. Investigate the source of the problem before preparation to ensure it won’t spread.
2. Scrape away all loose or flaking paint.
3. Sand smooth with a fine grit sandpaper.

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Removing wallpaper:  
You really should remove wallpaper—painting over it is generally a no-no.
Solve It:

1. To get it off the walls, score or perforate.
2. Remove paper with a steamer, or soak it with a solution of warm water and detergent or a solution of vinegar and water.
3. With vinyl or other types of coverings, peel off as much of the paper as possible first. Then, use a 3-inch blade to carefully scrape the rest off.
4. Scrub and scrape off residual paste using non-metallic scouring pad and rinse thoroughly.

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Mildew:   brown, black or gray spots on paint surface (usually found in corners)
Why it happened: High humidity, most common in bathrooms and basements.
Solve It:

1. Scrub the surface with a solution of one part household bleach to three parts water, then rinse.
2. Seal the surface with a high-quality primer.
3. In the future, try to reduce the amount of moisture. In bathrooms, install an exhaust fan, and in basements use a dehumidifier.

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Smoke Stains:   black marks on walls or ceilings
Why it happened: candles or tobacco consistently used in one area.
Solve It:

1. Wash or clean the surface well.
2. Seal surface with a high-quality primer.

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Water Stains:   Water circles on walls or ceilings
Why it happened: plumbing or roof leaks.
Solve It:

1. Replace any weak areas. Before prepping, assure that the leak has been fixed and that the surface has completely dried.
2. Seal surface with a high-quality primer.

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Grease Stains:   shiny splatters in and around cooking areas
Why it happened: most common near stoves, where grease is unavoidable.
Solve It:

1. Wash or clean the surface well.
2. Dull surface with a fine grit sandpaper.
3. Seal surface with a high-quality primer.
4. To avoid future stains, wash surfaces frequently.

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Crayon Stains:  
Solve It:

1. Crayon marks can usually be removed by scrubbing the surface, or using an art gum eraser.
2. If a stain remains, seal surface with a high-quality primer.
3. In areas where little hands could leave marks, use a high-quality semi-gloss paint, formulated for scrubbability.

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4. Wash and clean.

• After you’ve finished sanding, scraping, and repairing, thoroughly wash the walls and ceiling with an all-purpose household cleaner, then rinse. 
• Allow the walls to dry completely before priming. 
  • WATCH OUT! Even if you’re painting new drywall, or a surface that’s never been painted before, you’ll still need to wash and scrub the surface. Any dust or dirt that remains can cause paint failures or ruin a smooth surface.
    

5. Prime.

• Priming provides great topcoat adhesion, helps prevent cracking and offers better color retention. It is essential to prime any new or bare surface, or any surface you’ve exposed during repairs.
• Priming should be done whenever there is a drastic color change—dark to light or light to dark! It’s the only way to make sure your topcoat will turn out perfect. And it’ll also cut down on the number of topcoats needed.
• TIP: If you’re changing your paint color to a deep, vibrant one, check out our Monochromatic Gray Basecoat System of Kilstain-WB products. Our Color Lab has identified all the low-hiding colors (those which would require more than two coats) in our Color Key system. They then matched these values to one of nine shades of gray. The key to the system is to start with a basecoat that has the same reflectance value as your topcoat, as opposed to a whiter base that will dilute your vibrant color. The Monochromatic Gray system “fools the eye” and makes it appear as if coverage is complete. One coat of Monochromatic Gray basecoat, plus two topcoats, and your result is a beautiful, uniform finish—without having to use five coats of paint.
• To apply primer, follow the steps for painting, found under the “Paint Application” section. Then, sit back and allow the primer to dry according to the label directions before topcoating.