Looking to repaint my latex walls – any advice for achieving a flawless finish or pitfalls to avoid during the process?
Asked by Rodrigo Marín 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 25, 2024
I’m planning to repaint my walls that are latex based by myself. Do you have any tips on how to get that perfect paint finish, or any things you wish you had known before painting?
Avoid using semi-gloss or high-gloss paint on walls, as imperfections will be highly visible.
I used to work at Sherwin Williams. First, take care of any repairs, such as nail holes. Fill them with spackle, sand it smooth, and remember to prime over the area. If you skip the primer, the spackled area will absorb more paint and look uneven. If there are no repairs and you’re just changing color, go ahead and start painting without priming. The existing paint acts as a primer. However, if there are bare surfaces like drywall or wood, make sure to prime them. Priming creates a barrier to ensure even absorption of paint.
When selecting paint, keep in mind that the color and sheen level will impact the outcome. Dark colors and bright reds may require multiple coats. You can save time by tinting a primer light gray for better coverage of intense colors. For such colors, choose a higher quality paint brand, as low-quality paints do not provide the same coverage.
Choosing a finish with less shine will result in smoother walls. Most brands offer matte finishes that resemble flat paint but can be wiped down. True flat paints have a chalky appearance and cannot be cleaned. They are ideal for ceilings, where cleaning is not usually necessary.
Regarding the application of paint, feel free to follow your preference. Some professional painters cut in first and then roll (the most common method), while others start with rolling. Watching instructional videos on painting techniques can be very beneficial.
Good luck! Painting is a straightforward way to make significant changes.
I have some ‘shakes’ that make it difficult to cut in, so I always start by painting the ceilings (I would then repaint the ceilings along with the walls).
Next, paint the walls, making sure to leave about an inch of space from the ceiling. After that, paint some light pine trim and secure it in the corners using a small amount of polyurethane construction adhesive. Avoid caulking to maintain the shadow lines.
Once done, step away and admire your work.
If you’re not removing baseboards, tape them off, apply a line of caulk, wait 20 minutes, paint, and remove the tape. The line will be perfectly crisp without any bleeding.
Try using eggshell finish to conceal imperfections
Hey , also, if you have kids or pets, cleaning will be a breeze!
It’s best to avoid using low-quality tools like cheap brushes and roller covers.
Here is some solid advice from
Before settling on a paint color, be sure to grab some paint samples of a few different colors. Paint test sections on the wall to see how they look in various lighting conditions. Remember, the colors may appear different online or on paint cards!
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Remember to sand in between applying coats
I just left this comment on another post where the OP was specifically asking about tape. Some others have mentioned it, but I’ll repeat for emphasis. First, start with the ceilings in the color of your choice. Most people go with white, but some paint the whole room the same color. Next, work on the trim. I prefer doing this before the walls because it’s easier to cut. If you prefer doing walls second, apply just one coat, then tape and do the trim. Walls should be painted with a second coat after that. Finally, paint the walls last. I usually don’t use tape for cutting, but sometimes I gently place some on the base moulding to catch splatters. You can cut in-roll-cut in-roll, cut in-cut in-roll-roll, or roll-cut in-cut in-roll. Just make sure to roll last. If you want a straight line, use tape. When using tape on an old surface, press down firmly on the edge. If the surface is freshly painted, do not press down. Instead, apply caulk or the same color paint along the edge of the tape. Once you’ve painted, remove the tape. If you need a second coat, lightly score the edge of the tape with a utility knife before pulling it off to prevent pulling the new paint.