How to Apply Paint to Drywall

I vividly remember my first experience painting a room. I was so proud, but I didn’t realize how much paint drywall absorbs, so I overfilled the roller. As a result, there were splatters everywhere. Fortunately, I had laid drop cloths on the newly carpeted floors to protect them. But when the paint dried, I was shocked to see the drop cloths stuck to the carpet. My "drop cloths" were actually worn-out bed sheets, and the paint seeped through them straight onto the carpet. That experience taught me a lot about painting drywall, especially the importance of not overloading the roller and using proper drop cloths.

If you haven’t yet painted drywall, chances are you will eventually. Drywall is the most commonly used material for finishing interior walls, found in homes around the world [source: Calfinder]. But what exactly is drywall? Also known as Sheetrock, gypsum board, and rock lath, drywall is made by mixing gypsum plaster and fiber, then enclosing the mixture in a heavy paper that hardens into a solid material. Once set, it becomes an ideal material for constructing walls and ceilings [source: Molloy Interiors].

When constructing most homes, builders attach sheets of drywall to the framework. Afterward, they cover the joints and imperfections with a joint compound, often called "mud," and tape over them with special drywall tape. This process strengthens the wall or ceiling, conceals seams, and smooths out any dimples caused by screws or nails in the drywall. Once this is complete, the surface is ready for painting.

Painting drywall is fairly straightforward. However, to achieve the best outcome, it's important to follow a structured process that includes some preparatory work, which you'll find more information on in the next section.

Cover Your Bases: Drywall Prep

Your painting project begins by cleaning the surfaces you'll be working on, whether it's a wall or ceiling. Though it may not seem exciting, every wall and ceiling has dust, cobwebs, and other grime that can be hidden from view, and you don’t want to paint over that. Drywall in kitchens and bathrooms collects more dirt—grease and food in the kitchen, hairspray, makeup, and shampoo particles in the bathroom. New drywall can be especially dusty. You can easily clean most drywall using a vacuum or a microfiber tack cloth, but make sure to wash kitchen and bathroom areas with a household cleaner to remove grease, oil, and stubborn dirt [source: Glave].

Next, use painter’s tape along the edges of trim, casings, and baseboards, and cover your furniture with plastic cloth. Be sure to seal the gaps in the plastic with tape to fully protect the furniture—paint droplets can slip through even the smallest openings. For the floor, use a high-quality drop cloth, not plastic. Spilled paint will pool on plastic, creating a slipping hazard, and you’re likely to step on some paint and track it elsewhere in the house [source: DrywallFlorida].

Once everything is covered, apply a layer of primer. It’s a step many skip to save time and money, but that’s a mistake. Primer helps conceal drywall mud and tape, making it essential, especially for new drywall. Since new drywall absorbs paint quickly, applying primer may reduce the need for a third coat of paint, requiring only two final coats instead. High-quality primer is also crucial if you’re trying to cover a shiny surface, block out previous colors, or seal stains like mildew or water marks [source: Calfinder]. If you’re tinting your primer to match your final color, do so unless it’s a dark shade. In that case, use gray. Dark colors are made from a clear base, not a white one, so white primer won’t work [source: Painting and Decorating Concourse].

Now, learn how to achieve an outstanding paint finish.

Staying Within the Lines: Drywall Painting

First, decide whether you'll be using a roller or a sprayer for your paint job. Spraying is much quicker, allows you to stretch your paint further, and offers the best coverage. However, it requires thorough preparation, as everything—including windows, doors, and fixtures—must be covered properly, since spray paint tends to reach everywhere. Also, ensure that you have adequate ventilation [source: Calfinder].

Next, gather your supplies. You'll need enough paint for two coats, along with high-quality brushes and rollers. There are several types of paint to choose from for your walls. Flat latex is a popular option because it’s easy to touch up without leaving noticeable marks, especially when compared to paints with higher sheens. However, glossier finishes are easier to clean, making them a popular choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Satin finishes are a great middle ground for most rooms, offering both durability and the ability to hide touch-ups without being overly shiny [source: Valspar at Lowe's].

Prep your rollers by gently wrapping them with masking tape, then peeling it off. This helps remove any loose fibers that could stick to your walls. Pour the paint into a 5-gallon (19-liter) can with a built-in side tray; floor roller trays tend to spill easily, are often stepped in, and are hard to move without making a mess [source: Painting and Decorating Concourse].

Ideally, work with a partner. The first person should use a high-quality brush to "cut in" along the edges, such as baseboards, ceilings, and corners, while the second person follows up by rolling the main areas of the wall or ceiling. Stay close together, as you always want to paint over wet edges. If the first person gets too far ahead and the paint dries before the second person catches up, it may cause "banding"—visible lines that appear after the paint dries [source: Glave]. The person rolling should start at the top of the wall, making a large "M" or "W" pattern, then roll through it vertically. This technique helps distribute the paint more evenly than just using vertical or horizontal strokes and reduces the chances of seeing lines once the paint is dry [source: Painting and Decorating Concourse].

Allow the paint to dry for at least two or three hours before applying the second coat. Once both coats are dry and you're cleaning up, use a blade to gently cut through any dried drips between the painter's tape and the wall, then carefully remove the tape. If you skip this step and just pull the tape off, you might accidentally peel some paint off with it [source: Glave].

As for my own drywall painting expertise, it's taken 25 years, but I've finally perfected the process: Tape everything with painter’s tape and lay down professional-grade drop cloths. Invest in quality brushes, rollers, and paint. I take the role of the cutter (I'm more meticulous), while my husband handles the rolling. Now if only I could figure out a foolproof way to choose the perfect paint color.