Help! Painting the walls...

[tink_n_pooh]

DH & I are still trying to get our house ready to move into and we have already owned it for a month The previous owners were pretty rough on the walls and they were definantly not experts when it came to repairing the walls or painting

I'm in need of some DIY advise as to how to correct the bulging icky looking spackle jobs they did. We thought everythign was fixed and sanded down but when we put a coat of paint on the walls they look terrible My DH is getting really really frustrated and I just want to get this finished so we can move in. We are using satin paint on the walls, DH thinks if we switch to eggshell it will hide some of the imperfections but I'm really not sure.

We are really in need of some good advise. Hiring a pro to do it for us isn't really an option right now either.

 

[JPN4265]

DH & I are still trying to get our house ready to move into and we have already owned it for a month The previous owners were pretty rough on the walls and they were definantly not experts when it came to repairing the walls or painting

I'm in need of some DIY advise as to how to correct the bulging icky looking spackle jobs they did. We thought everythign was fixed and sanded down but when we put a coat of paint on the walls they look terrible My DH is getting really really frustrated and I just want to get this finished so we can move in. We are using satin paint on the walls, DH thinks if we switch to eggshell it will hide some of the imperfections but I'm really not sure.

We are really in need of some good advise. Hiring a pro to do it for us isn't really an option right now either.

Is the icky looking spackle job over the entire wall area, or just in some places. If it is isolated, than you can sand. If the entire wall was spackled or textured, than you might have to sand or use some chemical for removal. Go to your local paint store for advice. As to the type of paint, flat paint is the best for hiding blemishes. Eggshell is good for clean up if the walls become dirty. Good Luck.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Luckily (I think) the spackling is just in spots... a lot of spots but its just spots. There were some random holes in the walls that we have had to patch too, the ones we did ourselves came out ok but its the ones the previous owners did that don't look so hot

 

[goofy4tink]

Sand, then sand again. Then sand again! I know..a ton of sanding. But there's nothing like paint to bring out any imperfection in the wall. Be sure to prime the wall before painting as well.

 

[Straitlover]

The satin is also part of the problem. Any kind of sheen will show the imperfections. Flat paint is best. Satin and eggshell are basically the same, but if I ahd to choose, I'd pick the eggshell. One paint co (I think Benjamin Moore?) has a matte paint that is like flat but is more scrubbable if you need that.

 

[ilovepcot]

Yes, a flat paint will help to hide imperfections and the lighter the color is the better. I live in a house built in 1922 and have been forced to learn how to hide imperfections.

If you aren't able to hide the imperfections to your satisfaction, a textued wallpaper can be put up and painted any color you like. *Hope you don't have to resort to that*!

 

[doxdogy]

As a previous poster stated, sanding is the key. You may want to check into getting a wet sponge type sander at a hardware store. Then prime the walls before painting them. Make sure that the primer is tinted to match the color of your walls.

 

[dis-happy]

Sand if necessary.

Put on a primer coat FIRST.

Final coat should be eggshell. It's washable but not too shiny. Buy a decent paint, not cheap paint (Behr is good). Plan on two final coats.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I agree with others that flat is the best for hiding flaws. We had to use flat paint in our kitchen after we removed wallpaper from unsealed (?) walls.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I only use eggshell. benjamin moore

using a painters light will help you find the flaws before painting

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I think we have decided we are going to get a flat paint for the walls now. Behr has one that is supposed to be washable so I think we will go with that.

I had to google a painters light to see what it was but I think I might ask my father if he has one so we can borrow it to check out all the boo-boos before we paint after sanding sanding and more sanding.

DH just told me that we are painting the bathroom tonight... I think I will be triple checking for spackle marks before painting this time

 

[DawnCt1]

The satin is also part of the problem. Any kind of sheen will show the imperfections. Flat paint is best. Satin and eggshell are basically the same, but if I ahd to choose, I'd pick the eggshell. One paint co (I think Benjamin Moore?) has a matte paint that is like flat but is more scrubbable if you need that.

I agree. Flat paint hides imperfections. Sherwin Williams also makes a scrubbable paint.

 

[Boo'sMom]

part of your problem might be in using Behr paint....I've never liked it....too thin.

With paint, there really are differences in quality. We will only use Benjamin Moore

 

[DawnCt1]

I think we have decided we are going to get a flat paint for the walls now. Behr has one that is supposed to be washable so I think we will go with that.

I had to google a painters light to see what it was but I think I might ask my father if he has one so we can borrow it to check out all the boo-boos before we paint after sanding sanding and more sanding.

DH just told me that we are painting the bathroom tonight... I think I will be triple checking for spackle marks before painting this time

I just put Behr flat enamal in the bathroom. Came out fine. For $18 a can instead of $38, it can be painted over.

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I have a somewhat related question & maybe its part of OPs problem. Whenever we patch an anchor hole from hanging pictures, and DH sands it down, and we paint, we end up with a spot smoother looking than the rest of our walls & its shows. I've heard the term "orange peel" texture called what you get when you roll on paint. We can never achieve that same texture in the patched/sanded spot. Any ideas?

It becomes very visible if the right light hits it or if viewing from right angle.

 

[JLTraveling]

part of your problem might be in using Behr paint....I've never liked it....too thin.

With paint, there really are differences in quality. We will only use Benjamin Moore

That's interesting, because I completely concur...but would argue that Behr is the higher quality. I ran a professional painting business for years, and finally got to the point that I would refuse a job if the client argued against Behr. It's actually a different formulation that is thicker and adheres better to the walls.

My uncle insists on name brand everything. When I did decorative painting in his entire house, I bought my own supplies and used Behr. He loved the results. He happened to go to the store with me the day I bought supplies for his bedroom, and he insisted on Benjamin Moore. I eventually gave in, and five coats later he still hated it. I primed and repainted with Behr, and he was happy in two coats.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess