What and how to paint drywall

Any room can look completely different with a DIY project as rewarding as painting drywall. When finishing a wall, whether it’s a new one or an old one, using the appropriate supplies and methods can greatly impact the outcome. You can improve your space and give it a polished appearance with a few basic tools and a little perseverance.

Selecting the appropriate paint for drywall is crucial. Although there are many different kinds of paint available, choosing one made especially for drywall can help guarantee a smooth application and durable finish. Primer helps the paint stick better and prepares the surface, so it’s another crucial step. Paint may chip or peel more readily without primer, producing a finish that is less resilient.

Paint application calls for a few fundamental abilities and methods. To achieve even coverage, use a brush on corners and edges and a roller on larger areas. It’s also crucial to use several thin coats as opposed to one thick one and to wait until each layer is fully dry before adding the next. This technique looks more professional and stops drips.

Painting drywall can be an easy and rewarding project if you take the time to properly prepare and use the right materials. You can create a stunning, long-lasting finish that improves the interior of your home by paying close attention to detail. If you’re remodeling a room or your whole house, a new coat of paint on your drywall can have a big effect.

Features of plasterboard

It’s important to become familiar with the characteristics and kinds of material before treating drywall before painting. These can include:

  • Ordinary wall or "standard sheet".
  • Ceiling, most often used when leveling simple ceilings and constructing multi-level.
  • Moisture-resistant – irreplaceable when finishing bathrooms.
  • Fire-resistant. It is distinguished by resistance to an open source of fire, while maintaining its position on the frame.
  • Arched. It is possible to install quite complex curved surfaces.
  • Acoustic. It is used very rarely. The peculiarity of the material is the presence of perforation with many holes, the diameter of which is approximately one centimeter and a special soundproof sheet located on the back side of the sheet. It is used in the design of recording studios, home theaters.

  1. Relatively low price.
  2. Ecologically friendly.
  3. Does not burn.
  4. High sound insulation properties.
  5. Takes excess moisture from the air and easily releases it when the air dries out.
  6. Easy to process, easy to install.
  7. Minimum waste after finishing the room.

Plasterboard has several drawbacks, including:

  1. Relatively low strength and water resistance.
  2. Difficulty in attaching anything.

It is advised not to drive nails into plasterboard walls. For a small shelf or picture, only dowels fastened with screws will do. They cannot be used to hang heavy objects; doing so will only cause the wall to collapse.

Once you have installed the material in the room and become familiar with its features, you must decide how the surface will be finished.

How to prepare plasterboard for painting

You must prepare the surface before painting plasterboard by hand (see. How to paint plasterboard without putty and is it possible to do so?

  • All sheets and the condition of the butt seams are carefully inspected. Usually, after covering surfaces, gaps most often remain at the joints.

Advice: Sealing the spaces between the sheets of plasterboard is a good idea before painting the surface. The cracks will still be visible even after multiple coats of paint have been applied.

  • The protruding heads of the screws are recessed with a screwdriver.
  • The joints of the plasterboard on the frame are puttied (see. How to putty drywall joints according to technology).
  • Putty is applied to the surface with a spatula
  • Reinforcing tape is placed along the entire length of the joint.
  • Another layer of putty is applied.
  • The surface is carefully sanded.
  • The ceiling is cleaned of fine dust and other dirt with a damp cloth.
  • You can paint drywall.

Advice: Before applying a layer of paint to a large area of the surface, make sure the seams won’t show through it. Once the paint has completely dried, assess the outcome. You can paint the entire ceiling if the putty is not showing through the paint.

What paint to choose for drywall

Selecting the right paint type for drywall is not hard. You can use any enamels or paints after making the necessary painting preparations. The owner makes the final decision about what to paint the ceiling, walls, and drywall arch.

Use the following to paint the panels:

  • Brush.
  • Convenient and high-quality roller (see. Painting rollers: let"s take a closer look).
  • Spray gun.

When painting drywall, three types of paint are used:

  • Water-based. This type of coating is best suited for painting drywall.
    Its advantages:
  • pleasant velvety, matte surface;
  • large number of colors. But when using this paint, keep in mind that after drying it becomes several tones lighter.

With water-based paint, you can create any color or shade on drywall because it is white and comes in a range of colors that can be bought separately.

Recommendation: The amount of color added should not be more than 5%.

The paint requires no special liquids or solvents to apply, and it is simple to remove.

Among the composition’s drawbacks are:

  1. increased consumption compared to others;
  2. the paint is not suitable for walls in rooms with high humidity.
  1. resistant to the negative effects of moisture and aggressive environments;
  2. they are economical in consumption.

Painting drywall must only be done in a room with adequate ventilation due to the numerous hazardous chemical components found in oil paints. This is one of the paints’ drawbacks.

  1. a wide variety of shades and colors;
  2. it can be glossy or matte;
  3. after drying, the surface acquires a moisture-resistant film;
  4. low material consumption per unit area;
  5. dries quickly.

These coatings enhance:

  1. aesthetic qualities of gypsum stone;
  2. provide it with anti-corrosion protection;
  3. protect the material from ultraviolet radiation, high moisture, sudden temperature changes and other external influences.

In this instance, selecting the appropriate paint and properly preparing the surface for work are crucial.

How to paint a plasterboard ceiling

The following tools are used to paint the walls and ceiling:

  • Spray bottle (see. Selecting a spray gun for painting). This option allows you to make the highest quality coating, but not everyone has such a device, and its use requires certain skills.
  • Brush. With this tool, before the roller, all hard-to-reach areas and corners are painted. In this case, the movements are made sharp and jerky so that the paint lays evenly in layers on the surface. When moving the brush back and forth, you may get a “mixed” coating.
  • Roller. Such tools are made with different coatings, have different pile lengths, which especially affects the final appearance of the painted surface: with an increase in the pile length, a brighter structure can be obtained as a result.

Advice: If you paint a plasterboard ceiling, you should only use a short-pile roller. This will ensure that the finished product is smooth and of excellent quality. Painters should avoid using foam rollers on ceilings because they leave marks. As seen in the picture, the ceiling roller needs to be used with a long handle.

Prior to using a fresh roller, you need to:

  1. soak in clean water;
  2. dry well.

The first layer of coating is applied to the wall, preferably parallel to the window, after the roller has been dipped in paint and rolled out over a ribbed surface in a special tray so that the paint lies evenly on the roller. In this instance, painting the ceiling with a roller is crucial because the paint in the difficult-to-reach areas needs time to dry. There is a 15 centimeter overlap between each successive layer. The entire ceiling is painted in this manner.

The second layer is applied after the first has dried, but first the roller needs to be moved from the window to the door. You can achieve a consistent and even coating by using this method. You must remove any hair, speck, or roller lint that gets on the ceiling right away; don’t wait for the paint to dry.

Advice: When painting a plasterboard ceiling, work in sections and use two thin coats of paint rather than one thick one. The instructions on the paint package specify how long you should wait before applying each new layer.

Step Description
1. Prepare the Surface Clean the drywall to remove dust and ensure it is smooth. Fill any holes or cracks with joint compound and sand them once dry.
2. Apply Primer Use a primer specifically for drywall to seal the surface and create a good base for the paint.
3. Choose the Paint Select a paint suitable for interior walls. Consider finish options like matte, eggshell, or satin based on the desired look and durability.
4. Paint the Drywall Use a roller for larger areas and a brush for edges and corners. Apply at least two coats for even coverage, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
5. Finish Up Inspect the painted surface for any missed spots or drips, and touch them up if necessary. Clean your tools and dispose of any waste responsibly.

Painting drywall can give any room a new look and feel while enhancing the aesthetics of your house with color and flair. Utilizing the appropriate materials and undergoing meticulous preparation are essential to attaining a polished finish. Making sure your drywall is smooth, clean, and properly primed sets the stage for a long-lasting paint job.

Selecting the appropriate paint is equally crucial. When choosing a color and finish, keep the lighting and the room’s intended use in mind. Satin or semi-gloss finishes are better suited for high traffic or moisture-prone areas, while flat or matte finishes perform well in low traffic areas. High-quality paint can significantly impact the durability and appearance of your walls.

Lastly, remember to take your time painting. To guarantee even coverage and prevent streaks, use a high-quality brush or roller and make steady, even strokes. Let every coat completely dry before adding the next. A beautiful outcome that accentuates the beauty of your space can be obtained with perseverance and meticulous attention to detail.

Painting drywall is an easy DIY project that makes a big difference in how your walls look. It’s crucial to properly prepare the surface by sanding to create an even surface, applying joint compound, and taping seams to achieve a smooth and polished finish. Following preparation, you can choose the appropriate paint type—usually a premium latex that offers excellent durability and coverage. Painting over a primer ensures a more vibrant color and improves paint adhesion. With the correct tools and these instructions, you can turn plain drywall into a gorgeously painted wall that enhances your room.

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Dmitry Stepanov

Professional decorator with 10 years of experience. I know everything about renovating apartments, houses and offices. I will be happy to share my knowledge and experience with you.

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