7 Tips to Prep for Paint Like a Pro

Wanting to paint a room? Before you pick up your roller or paintbrush you’ll need to put a little effort into the preparation of your walls. These 7 tips will help you prep for paint like a pro and ensure you get a beautiful result every time!

Small Brad Nail holes in my faux shiplap wall being filled with spackle which is pink because it's still wet.

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If you’re anything like me painting is one of your least favorite tasks and only want to have to paint a room once. When we moved in literally every room in the house needed paint and to show you how much I procrastinate with painting it’s been a decade and there are still rooms that haven’t been painted. But that’s changing!

I’m prepping for paint in my dining room right now and excited to bring you along in the process and show you exactly how I’m going to prep for paint like a pro. And hopefully never have to paint this room again.

What Should I Do To Prep for Painting?

  • Tip One – Repair Holes in the Wall Surface
  • Tip Two – Caulk or Touch Up Caulk to All the Trim
  • Tip Three – Clean the Surface You’ll Paint Thoroughly
  • Tip Four – Remove Light Switch And Outlet Covers
  • Tip Five – Apply Painter’s Tape
  • Tip Six – Cover Furniture and Flooring with Drop Cloths
  • Tip Seven – Use Quality Paint Equipment

Now let’s get into all the details, supplies, and resources to help you prep for paint like a pro.

Watch this on Youtube:

My hand with a metal putty knife about ready to fill a hole with drydex spackle on my finger tip.
I like to use my fingers to fill holes with spackle. And then wipe away any excess with my metal putty knife.

Tip One – Repair Holes in the Wall Surface

I have drywall, so to repair all of the random nail and screw holes (I am always changing up wall decor) I prefer to use spackle, and to fill it I actually use my fingers, but then go back over the holes to scrape off excess with a metal putty knife.

If you have a sizable hole you may need to do a drywall patch with joint compound. But most holes, divots, and scrapes fill really well with spackle.

Why do you prefer spackle?

The reasons I prefer spackle over other options like caulk are because:

  1. It’s color-changing, it goes from pink to white when it’s dry. So you’re never wondering if it’s totally dry and ready for paint.
  2. It is so easy to work with, not overly messy like caulk. It’s more like putty and so it sticks in the holes for a better fill and seamless finish.
  3. If you overfill you can go back after it’s dried with a damp rag and wipe the excess off. Once caulk dries there is no wiping it off.
The bottom of the window farmhouse-style trimmed window frame, holes spackled. Just another step in how to prep for paint like a pro.
This was after I’d filled all the brad nail holes with spackle on my Farmhouse-style. But before I went back through with a damp rag to wipe off any excess.

Tip Two – Caulk or Touch Up Caulk to All the Trim

I prefer to caulk before paint simply because I have textured walls and it doesn’t always go on super clean. Caulking before paint ensures that any extra that gets on the walls won’t mar your beautiful new painted walls, especially if they’re a color other than white.

A freshly caulked trim will look like a million bucks and truly helps make the entire product look professional. It takes a few extra minutes, depending on the size of the room, but worth the time and extra effort.

The trim in my house was not caulked at all when we moved in, despite the house being 8 years old. So, the first thing I did when starting to paint rooms was caulk all the trim. It made the rooms look like it was a newly built home. This was of course before deciding to replace all the trim, for that process visit How to Build Farmhouse-Style Trim Cheap.

Tip Three – Clean the Surface You’ll Paint Thoroughly

A grey bucket filled with soapy water with a rag, a sponge, and a magic eraser. Sitting on top of a black and metal step stool.
About to get serious cleaning my walls! I used a microfiber rag, a sponge (in some spots), and a magic eraser. The 3 staples to cleaning a wall well.

Paint will not stick to dirty surfaces so it’s extremely important to clean the area thoroughly. All those places you wouldn’t normally think to clean matter. Such as the header trim above a door or window, or a ceiling believe it or not. Greasy spots may also need a bit of washing with a drop of dish soap on a damp rag. Otherwise, give the walls a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth so that paint will have a clean, dust-free surface to stick to.

Note: When cleaning your walls go gingerly over any areas you’ve filled with spackle. You don’t want to undo all the filling you just did. Also, a magic eraser might save your life. I use it to get off some really ugly stuff. Sometimes when you clean a wall you see that it doesn’t actually need a new coat of paint!

a close up of my bucket of soapy water, sponge, and magic eraser sitting on a step stool. Ready to clean my walls for paint prep.
Just add a few drops of dawn dish soap to warm water. Gets off most grime, even greasy stuff.

Tip Four – Remove Light Switch And Outlet Covers

The best advice I can give you is to use painter’s tape to adhere the screws to each plate. Then write the room in a black permanent marker on the backside, I’m going to write DR (Dining Room). Then put them in a Ziploc bag for safekeeping. You don’t want lost screws. I have bags of outlet covers and light switches with the screws just rolling around in the bottom of the bag and regret it.

Note: To prevent paint from getting in your outlets or switches place a piece of painter’s tape over them.

Step Five – Apply Painter’s Tape

I don’t typically tape an entire room any longer, though I did when I was new at painting. If you aren’t confident in your ability to cut-in accurately, definitely put up some painter’s tape to avoid mistakes.

I will apply it to any trim in this room. Since I’ll be painting a dark color it will show even small mistakes on white trim. I recommend the Scotch brand personally.

If you have just recently painted the trim you will want to use the delicate surface painter’s tape. This will help avoid losing fresh paint to the sticky side of the tape.

Scotch blue painters tape and purple delicate surface painters tape.
A new roll of Scotch blue painter’s tape and the purple delicate surface tape for my freshly painted trim.

Tip Six – Cover Furniture and Flooring with Drop Cloths

This is another area where drop cloth really shines! And it is actually its original purpose when created, to save your home from paint splatter. You can opt for the plastic or polyurethane version, but again, I recommend using a nice reusable drop cloth. Investing in a good-quality drop cloth will save you tons of money down the road. Not to mention being better for the environment (if that matters to you).

The other option, which is the one I chose, was the remove them from the room entirely. It’s actually really difficult to maneuver a paint roller between yourself, the wall, and any furniture in your way. But if you don’t have that option you should cover any furniture or flooring you don’t want paint drips on.

Note: You could even use old sheets if you don’t mind them being destroyed in the process. Or it may even be worth it to save money by purchasing a few raggedy ones from a thrift store. Twin-size fitted sheets are perfect for putting around doors to protect them from paint splatter as well.

Farmhouse style trim being built and installed in a dining room using cheap common lumber and furring strips. Stack of 1x4 wood sitting on the floor in the sawdust from trimming the rounded edges off on a table saw.
I chose to simply remove the vast majority of furniture from this room. The only thing that remains is a small dresser that holds all my tools.
Wonderland Subscriber Library, sign up to get exclusive access to free pdf printables, ebooks, vintage illustrations, artist prints and so much more free content! Six vintage illustrations, 3 roses, 2 butterflies and 1 beetle.

    Tip Seven – Use Quality Paint Equipment

    I wouldn’t say you have to buy the most expensive professional equipment. But I would definitely steer clear of the cheapest for several reasons. I love Purdy Brushes like this 2″ angle brush, but the prices of their brushes can seem steep. If you have a whole house to paint it will be well worth the investment. But if you’re doing a single room or project then go for mid-range like this Wooster 2″ Shortcut Angle Sash.

    I own both Purdy and Wooster and use and recommend both. They’re both also Made in the USA if that is important to you.

    Why not just buy the cheapest brand to save money right now?

    Purchasing good solid tools, like these brands, ensures they will last years if properly cared for. Which will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you have to buy new tools every time you paint it will really add up over time.

    In my considered experience (decades of painting rental properties) the upfront initial cost of quality is worth it. My dad still has Purdy brushes he’s used for basically my entire lifetime!

    There are downfalls to purchasing cheap tools like:

    • Cheap brushes shed bristles while you paint which will leave hairs or acrylic bristles in your finish. Which is frustrating and time-consuming to pick them out. Or you may miss them and see them on your finished wall.
    • Cheap painting equipment will be hard or impossible to clean and reuse. Like, for instance, I purchased a cheap aluminum painter’s tray once and it was impossible to clean. Trying to reuse it resulted in paint chipping off onto my roller, which ended up on my walls.

    I have a whole list of good painting supplies in this post 10+ Essential Tools for the DIYer.

    Best Supplies to Use to Prep for Paint Like A Pro:

    1. 9″ Roller
    2. 2-4 Foot Extension Pole (for high ceilings & to save your back)
    3. Roller PadsSmooth Surface Walls or Textured Walls
    4. A Roller Tray & Tray Liners
    5. 2″ Angled Brush
    6. Paint Edger Pro
    7. Paint Cup
    8. Painter’s Tape
    9. Drop Cloth – Plastic or Fabric

    7 Tips to Prep for Paint Like a Pro – Printable Card

    Filling the gouge in my drywall with drydex spackle and my putty knife.

    7 Tips to Prep for Paint Like A Pro

    Yield: I Fully Prepped Room
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Active Time: 2 hours
    Additional Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

    One of the easiest ways to update a space or item is to give it a fresh coat of paint. But before you pick up a paintbrush there are a few steps you need to take to prepare so you get that really professional result every time!

    Materials

    • Drydex Spackle
    • Caulk
    • Masking Tape
    • Permanent Marker
    • Ziploc Bag
    • Painter's Tape
    • Drop Cloth

    Tools

    • Metal Putty Knife
    • Caulk Gun
    • Bucket
    • Sponge
    • Magic Eraser
    • Dawn Dish Soap
    • Flathead Screwdriver (or butter knife)

    Instructions

    1. About to apply spackle in a brad nail hole on my new farmhouse-style trim in my dining room. Then I'll wipe away excess with a putty knife. Repair Holes in the Wall Surface. I prefer to use spackle and to fill it I actually use my fingers, but then go back over the holes to scrape off excess with a metal putty knife. If you have a sizable hole you may need to do a drywall patch with a joint compound. But most holes, divots, and scrapes fill really well with spackle.
    1. HDX Caulk gun and alex dry fast caulk sitting on a step stool.] Caulk or Touch up Caulk To All the Trim. I prefer to caulk before paint simply because I have textured walls and it doesn't always go on super clean. Caulking before paint ensures that any extra that gets on the walls won't mar your beautiful new painted walls, especially if they're a color other than white. A freshly caulked trim will look like a million bucks and truly helps make the entire product look professional. It takes a few extra minutes, depending on the size of the room, but worth the time and extra effort.
    2. a close up of my bucket of soapy water, sponge, and magic eraser sitting on a step stool. Ready to clean my walls for paint prep. Clean the Surface You'll Paint Thoroughly. Paint will not stick to dirty surfaces. Therefore, it's extremely important to clean the area thoroughly. All those places you wouldn't normally think to clean matter. Such as the header trim above a door or window, or a ceiling believe it or not. Greasy spots may also need a bit of washing with a drop of dish soap on a damp rag. Otherwise, give the walls a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth so that paint will have a clean, dust-free surface to stick to. Note: When cleaning your walls go gingerly over any areas you've filled with spackle. You don't want to undo all the filling you just did. Also, a magic eraser might save your life. I use it to get off some really ugly stuff. Sometimes when you clean a wall you see that it doesn't actually need a new coat of paint!
    3. All my supplies for prepping my outlets and light switches for paint. Masking tape, butter knife, sharpie, and a ziploc bag full of outlet and switch covers. Remove Light Switch and Outlet Covers. The best advice I can give you is to use painter's tape to adhere the screws to each plate. Then write the room in a black permanent marker on the backside, I'm going to write DR (Dining Room). Then put them in a Ziploc bag for safekeeping. You don't want lost screws. I have bags of outlet covers and light switches with the screws just rolling around in the bottom of the bag and regret it. Note: To prevent paint from getting in your outlets or switches place a piece of painter's tape over them.
    4. Scotch blue painters tape and purple delicate surface painters tape. Apply Painter's Tape. I recommend the Scotch brand personally. If you have just recently painted the trim you will want to use the delicate surface painter's tape. This will help avoid losing fresh paint to the sticky side of the tape.
    5. Cover Furniture and Flooring with Drop Cloths. This is another area where drop cloth really shines! And it is actually its original purpose when created, to save your home from paint splatter. You can opt for the plastic or polyurethane version, but again, I recommend using a nice reusable drop cloth. Investing in a good-quality drop cloth will save you tons of money down the road. Not to mention being better for the environment (if that matters to you). The other option, which is the one I chose, was the remove them from the room entirely. It's actually really difficult to maneuver a paint roller between yourself, the wall, and any furniture in your way. But if you don't have that option you should cover any furniture or flooring you don't want paint drips on. Note: You could even use old sheets if you don't mind them being destroyed in the process. Or it may even be worth it to save money by purchasing a few raggedy ones from a thrift store.
    6. Use Quality Paint Equipment. I wouldn't say you have to buy the most expensive professional equipment. But I would definitely steer clear of the cheapest for several reasons. I love Purdy Brushes like this 2" angle brush, but the prices of their brushes can seem steep. If you have a whole house to paint it will be well worth the investment. But if you're doing a single room or project then go for mid-range like this Wooster 2" Shortcut Angle Sash. I own both Purdy and Wooster and use and recommend both. They're both also Made in the USA if that is important to you.

    Notes

    WHY NOT JUST BUY THE CHEAPEST BRAND TO SAVE MONEY RIGHT NOW?

    Purchasing good solid tools, like these brands, ensures they will last years if properly cared for. Which will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you have to buy new tools every time you paint it will really add up over time.

    In my considered experience (decades of painting rental properties) the upfront initial cost of quality is worth it. My dad still has Purdy brushes he's used for basically my entire lifetime!

    There are downfalls to purchasing cheap tools like:

    • Cheap brushes shed bristles while you paint which will leave hairs or acrylic bristles in your finish. Which is frustrating and time-consuming to pick them out. Or you may miss them and see them on your finished wall.
    • Cheap painting equipment will be hard or impossible to clean and reuse. Like, for instance, I purchased a cheap aluminum painter's tray once and it was impossible to clean. Trying to reuse it resulted in paint chipping off onto my roller, which ended up on my walls.

    Thanks for Stopping By!

    Julie

    Meet the Author

    Hi, I’m Julie! Mother to five beautiful kids, Homeschool Educator, Writer, Handicraft & DIY Enthusiast, Photographer, Thrifter, and Furniture Restorer. Follow along for fun DIY projects creating a handmade home on a budget! Read more about me here→

    10 Comments

    1. Excellent and thorough instructions! I admire your DIY… you’re making me step out of my comfort zone with power tools!

    2. I bought my house 5 years ago and it still needs so much painting. Honestly, painting is my least favorite thing but I really enjoyed reading your post, and it gave me motivation to get back at it. Thanks for sharing.

      1. You are very welcome. Painting is definitely my least favorite task, I think it’s because the clean-up is always a huge chore! But I’m always so thankful I put the work in because paint is seriously the easiest way to completely change a room.

    3. Thanks for your thorough directions for this project! I as well am feeling inspired now to do some much needed painting!

    4. Painting is one of my least favorite house things to do! These are great tips, though, and I will definitely be referring back to it when it’s time for me to do some more painting! Thanks, Julie!

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