Preparing interior walls for priming before painting?

Question

I prep the walls by using TSP and taking off the gloss from the old paint.

Then I prime the walls.

I have seen on home improvement shows that they do not clean the walls before priming, they just prime and then paint.

Am I doing it the correct way?

What are the procedures for preparing the walls for primer?

Answer 1

sounds good to me.....but be sure the bottom paint was not a water based enamel as oil base will not go on over water base.....you would have to use water base again if this is the case. I am assuming that these walls are not knotty pine or some wood. If they are, they need a water based latex or be able to move around and stretch as wood does. Happy painting

Answer 2

On some home improvement shows they do not clean the walls before priming...primer will stick to nearly anything, so it is usually not absolutely necessary, but it is always a good idea.

TSP or a mild detergent of dish soap and water applied with a sponge mop usually works the best to remove any oily buildup and dust.

If you are painting over old latex paint, any primer will do. If you are painting over oil-based paint, be sure to use an oil-based primer before using latex paint. Latex paint will stick to oil-based primer, but not to oil-based paint.

Answer 3

You are doing the right thing by cleaning the walls before priming. Removing the gloss is a good idea but not absolutely necessary.

Answer 4

It really depends on what type of paint you are going to use and what you are painting over... ie., you can paint oil over latex, but not latex over oil...you don't have to clean the walls first if there is no sign of grease or smoke (cigarette or fire) residue on the walls. If you are trying to paint over a semi-gloss paint (latex over latex), you only need to add a bonding agent into the primer, if there is not one in the brand you purchased. Just ask someone at the paint counter if you can't tell. Happy painting!

Answer 5

I've been doing this all spring and summer: Yes, wash with TSP, rinse with clear water, let dry. Use primer (Benjamin Moore is the best), then paint as usual.
If you are covering a dark color, you may need two coats of primer.
If you are painting a dark color, use a primer tinted to the color of the paint you are going to use.

Answer 6

If you are removing wallpaper from textured walls it would be okay to paint over that. If the walls are not textured, I would suggest doing so before repainting. You could could completely smooth out the surface, but a painted smooth surface in a residence would look like an office.

Answer 7

one good way to prep drywall is to remove all hangers, Spackle the holes, then give them a good wiping down with a damp cloth. go over them with a trowel or putty knife to remove any protrusions, then prime. If you are concerned about the gloss you can use a primer that dries rough to the touch, such as Z-Prime. It is a good stain barrier and will cover just about anything with one coat.

Answer 8

YOU ARE ALREADY DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY, GOOD JOB.