Category: Technical Writing

This is a technical blog post written by Ashley Hanamann. The original article appears here.

Pro Guide to Surface Preparation Before Painting: Do It Right the First Time

The right preparation is crucial for paint performance on both interior paint jobs and exterior surfaces. Even top-quality paint may chip or peel when applied to an incorrectly prepared material. With the right tools and surface preparation for painting, your paint will adhere better, creating durable, professional results that will last for years.

In this pro-level guide, we outline paint preparation stages, including the best tools for each step. We also explain how preparation can vary by material and what you can do to ensure a beautiful, lasting paint finish.

Surface Preparation Procedure for Painting

Proper paint prep helps your paint adhere better, for a thicker, more durable coat that looks professional throughout the paint’s service life:

1. Clean the painting surface: Remove existing paint, wallpaper, and adhesives with a scraper or cleaning agent.
2. Patch damaged areas: Use a patching compound to fill surface imperfections, then allow it to dry.
3. Sand and smooth: With scrapers and sanding tools, smooth out uneven surfaces before clearing away any dust and residue.
4. Prime the surface: Apply a primer appropriate for the surface material and paint you intend to use.
5. Apply tape and drop cloths: Use painter’s tape on corners and edges, and place drop cloths around the work area to prevent spillage.

Common Surface Prep Mistakes

While surface preparation processes may seem straightforward, even small mistakes can cause paint peeling and other issues in the long run, such as:

• Leaving dust or residue on the paint surface
• Neglecting to repair cracks and holes
• Using the wrong kind of filing material for repairs
• Failing to sand glossy surfaces for better paint adhesion
• Skipping surface treatments and primer applications
• Applying the wrong primer or paint
• Not letting the surface dry completely before applying primer or paint

You can prevent most of these errors by completing surface preparation steps thoroughly in the proper order before you begin painting.

Step-by-Step: How To Prep Walls and Surfaces for Painting Like a Pro

Whether you are refreshing a home interior or revamping a building exterior, follow these surface prep steps to ensure complete, correct paint application.

Step 1: Clean the Surface Thoroughly

Start by cleaning the surface with soap and warm water. Gently remove dirt and other debris by scrubbing the surface in a circular motion. For more stubborn areas, use an abrasive sponge or grease-cutting detergent. Rinse the area with warm water and a rag to remove residue, then allow the surface to dry completely.

Step 2: Repair and Patch Imperfections

Choose the right type of spackle or joint compound for the surface you are prepping. Apply the compound in thin layers using putty knives and scrapers. Let each layer dry before applying the next. As you add spackle, feather the edges around the repair to create a smooth transition.

Step 3: Sand for a Smooth, Paint-Ready Finish

Consider a dust-free hand sander or pole sander for large areas and hard-to-reach spaces. For smaller paint jobs, a hand sander or dust-free sponge sander may work better.

Start with medium-grit sandpaper and graduate to finer grit for finishing. If you’re going to cover existing paint, especially a high-gloss finish, focus on diminishing bumps and creating a matte surface for the primer and paint to grip. Smooth the sandpaper along the surface with consistent pressure and even motions.

Step 4: Prime the Surface for Long-Lasting Adhesion

Primer seals the joint compound and creates a smooth surface for the final paint application. Use an angled 2” or 3” paintbrush to “cut in” the corners, trim, and ceiling edges with a line of primer. Apply primer in a “W” or “V” pattern to the surface using paint rollers.

Start at the top and work your way down in 3’x3′ sections, overlapping the primer to ensure even application. Depending on the material, you may need to sand the surface and apply a second layer of primer after the first dries completely. See our wall priming video guide for more detailed step-by-step instructions.

Step 5: Mask and Protect Surrounding Areas

Remove or cover items in the area where you intend to paint, and clean the floors to remove dirt and dust. Determine whether to paint trim or walls first — professionals recommend painting the trim first, unless you are replacing it altogether.

To keep paint from bleeding onto the trim and floors, apply painter’s tape along the baseboard or trim, and press it firmly in place to create a straight line. Lay your drop cloths on the floor and secure them with another layer of tape over the first. The goal is to create a clean, professional line along corners and trim that won’t leave any drips or smears.

Step-by-Step: How To Prep Walls and Surfaces for Painting Like a Pro

Paint quality depends on appropriate preparation, but not every surface requires the same treatment. For example, concrete surface preparation for painting requires a different approach than wood preparation for painting. Use the following checklists to meet the unique preparation steps for the most common painting substrates.

Drywall

Priming is essential in drywall painting. Without primer, drywall soaks up paint unevenly, creating a blotchy finish. Use the best drywall finishing tools to prep your drywall:

1. Clean the drywall surface, removing all dust and dirt.
2. Repair any cracks or holes using a drywall patching compound.
3. Sand the surface and patched areas until smooth and even.
4. Wipe or vacuum up any dust residue from repairs and sanding.
5. Tape the trims and edges of the wall and place drop cloths.
6. Apply primer designed for drywall to the entire surface, not just patched areas.

You can save time on clean, already-painted surfaces in good condition by priming walls with all-in-one paint. These products include both primer and paint, streamlining the painting process. However, all-in-one paint is not ideal for bare drywall or wood surfaces, due to their high porosity and uneven absorption.

Wood

Wood is more porous and uneven than other substrates, which means it requires sanding and primer application. Look for fillers and primers specifically formulated to work on wood substrate, and follow these steps:

1. Clean dirt and dust from the wood surface.
2. Sand the wood to remove any imperfections and establish a smooth working surface.
3. Apply wood filler to any holes or cracks, and seal baseboard and panel joints with caulking.
4. Once the filler and caulking have dried, sand the wood with finer grit to remove imperfections.
5. Use a damp cloth to remove dust after sanding, and allow the surface to dry completely.
6. Apply a primer specific to the type of wood you are painting. The primer will reduce the wood’s absorption, allowing you to paint the surface evenly.
7. Sand the primed wood lightly with fine grit and wipe the dust away.
8. Apply a second coat or primer for especially porous wood, like oak, ash, and pine.

Metal

Metal has a smooth, non-porous surface that can become rusty. Even non-rusting materials like aluminum require special surface preparation for painting. Account for the unique features of each type of metal when performing the following steps:

1. Remove rust with sandpaper or a wire brush and clean the surface thoroughly with a degreaser or solvent.
2. Repair any holes or dents with an epoxy-based filler.
3. Sand the surface to create a rough texture that helps the paint stick. Remove damaged paint with medium-grit sandpaper, if necessary.
4. Apply a specialty primer specific to the type of metal you’re painting.
5. Be sure the primer is dry and cured before you apply the paint topcoat.

How To Prepare a Painted Surface for Repainting

Regardless of the substrate, treating already-painted surfaces is more complicated. The appropriate prep method depends on the finish and condition of the original coat. Follow these steps to prep previously painted substrates:

1. Thoroughly clean the surface and rinse away any residual dirt.
2. Remove chipped or peeling paint with a scraping tool.
3. Sand glossy paint surfaces to a matte finish, so the new paint will adhere better.
4. Use spackle to fill cracks and holes, then sand the patches until smooth.
5. Apply primer that facilitates bonding between the existing and new paint.

Applying primer is especially important when painting light colors over dark existing paint, as it prevents the old paint and patches from showing through the new paint.

Finish Strong With Hyde’s Surface Prep Solutions

No matter what type of substrate you plan to paint, quality surface preparation tools are critical for a flawless, durable finish. Using professional-grade tools for cleaning, patching, sanding, and priming your paint job ensures a uniform surface with better adhesion and a longer paint lifespan.

Visit Hyde Tools today to choose from an extensive selection of pro-grade painting tools, from sanding sponges to brushes and utility knives.

This is a technical blog post written by Ashley Hanamann. The original article appears here.

How to Drywall Around Windows: Best Tools and Finishing Tips

Drywalling around windows is an extremely challenging project. Clean installation requires angled cuts that precisely match the window frame, and the material must be installed cleanly to avoid cracks and unsightly edges. In this guide, we explain how to drywall around windows with smooth, clean lines using the best tools and finishing tips.

The Tricky Parts of Drywalling Around Windows (That Everyone Dreads)

While drywall installation and repair may seem self-explanatory, even experienced drywallers slow down on corners and windows.

Tight Corners

Window openings are often rough and uneven. To create a smooth, seamless surface, you must precisely align and install the drywall without getting too close to the window jamb. This is especially challenging when working in a small area with the many angled surfaces of a window frame.

Crack Risks

Drywall cracks when bent or exposed to moisture and extreme temperatures. When cutting drywall around windows, cut it precisely and place it slightly away from the jamb. Without appropriate precautions, the material may break, creating unsightly openings that allow moisture and pests into your home.

Finishing Challenges

Creating a smooth, even appearance is difficult, especially with rough, uneven window openings. Drywall should be flush with the wall surface and have a clean, straight edge to the window frame, where you should seal it with caulk. In addition, corners should be straight and square, which may require shims, corner beads, rasps, miter saws, and caulking.

Preparing and Installing Drywall Around Windows

To install drywall around your windows, it’s important to prepare the opening and plan your drywall panel cuts in advance. Learn how to install drywall around windows with these easy steps and tips.

1. Start With a Solid Window Opening

Remove any existing window trim and clear dust and debris from the area. Fill insulation gaps with appropriate insulation materials, and trim any excess insulation foam and batting.

Add blocking between the main studs to create a solid structural backing for your drywall installation. Ensure your opening is square by measuring the diagonals of the opening. If they are equal, your opening is ready.

2. Cut and Fasten Drywall Without Corner Blowouts

Carefully measure each vertical and horizontal surface around the window and mark it on your drywall sheet with chalk or a pencil, one piece at a time. Use a utility knife and drywall T-square to precisely cut the paper and break the drywall along the scored lines.

Consider using a drywall saw to cleanly cut the drywall and prevent corner damage. Minimize waste and reduce corner damage by using large pieces of drywall, rather than piecing together small drywall bits.

Install the drywall sections around your window by lining each section flush with the wall and attaching it to the blocking with drywall screws. For large sheets, use a drywall lift to hold the piece in place while you attach it.

3. Change Your Finish With Corner Bead Options

Corner beads provide critical structure and protection for your drywall window corners. They establish a seamless structure and hide the joint where your corner drywall pieces meet. Choose from four common corner bead options:

• Metal: Metal corner beads are extremely straight, strong, and durable. They are resistant to impact and come with perforations, wings, and other features to facilitate stronger attachment. Use metal corner beads for high-traffic, high-impact areas.
• Vinyl: Vinyl corner beads provide rust-proof, impact-resistant drywall protection. They are more flexible than metal beads, which makes them better for unusual window shapes.
• Tear-Away:  This versatile corner bead option is specifically designed with a built-in vinyl strip that you pull off after the mudding is complete. The tear-away strip prevents the joint compound from bleeding onto adjacent surfaces. What remains is a smooth bead with a crisp, clean corner.
• Bullnose: Use a bullnose corner bead for a softer, more rounded corner profile. This design is available in vinyl and metal options. The rounded edge reduces the potential for chips and cracks on exposed corners, creating a more durable finish.

For a flawless finish around your window corners, use Hyde drywall corner tools, including inside and outside corner tools, drywall pointing knives, and wipe-down tools.

4. Get Mud on Smooth and Flat

Once your beads are in place, apply joint compound, also called mud, to each side of the corner using a 6- or 12-inch knife. Press center-creased paper tape to the corner and smooth it into the wet mud with a Hyde taping knife.

Apply a second thin layer of mud over the tape and feather it by smoothing it outward from the joint about six inches. Let the compound dry, and add additional layers as needed to create a smooth transition between the corner and the wall or other surrounding surfaces.

As each layer dries, use a sanding block with the appropriate sandpaper grade to smooth the surface. Reduce to a finer sandpaper and use light pressure for final finishing. For a large installation area, consider using a dust-free sander to efficiently cover more area.

Handling Inside Corners and Returns Without the Headaches

Whether you need to do a new drywall installation around your windows or fix corner drywall, the following tips can help you cut time and achieve a clean finish:

• Gather all the necessary tools and installation components before you begin.
• Dry-fit each section before applying any joint compound.
• Use a 4- to 6-inch knife for the first coat and then a larger 6- to 8-inch knife for feathering.
• Apply the mud in thin layers, using corner tools for even application.
• Sand down ridges and uneven surfaces after each mud layer dries. Use a sanding block that allows you to change the sandpaper to different grits as your installation progresses.
• Review spackle types or purchase a drywall repair kit to fix holes or imperfections in the surrounding drywall.

Why Pros Reach for Hyde Tools on Window Jobs

Handle tricky window drywall installations with ease using Hyde joint knives, corner tools, and sanding blocks. Hyde has been delivering reliable tools for customers for more than 150 years. Use our professional-grade drywall tools to get the job done faster and cleaner, for a more professional, durable finish.