First of all, you have to keep in mind that painting drywall can be difficult. In fact, this is relatively different in painting a regular wall. Its more specialized and you need the proper tools in order for you to have professional looking results when painting your drywall.
With the right tools, and the correct preparation, you will see that painting drywall can be achieved by almost anyone.
So, here are the proper steps in painting drywall.
First, you need to remember that painting drywall is best done in weather that is fairly warm and not too humid. You have to make sure that the surface to be painted is completely dry, clean, and it should be free from grease and oil.
You also have to keep in mind that you also have to apply at least three coats of joint compound on the drywall to be painted. Also, the joints between the drywall panels should be taped with fiberglass or paper mesh tape. This will ensure that the joint gets surfaced over. You also have to fill in any cracks or marks the same way.
You can wipe off the dust from the walls and ceilings to be painted before priming it in order for you to get a cleaner finish. But, if you really want a professional looking finish, it is highly recommended that you sand it lightly first with fine grade sandpaper. Use at least 200 grit sand papers to sand it after the prime coat has dried. If you find any imperfections, rough chips, and raised fibers on the surface, you can easily smooth it off.
You should also remember that you have to wear protective equipments, such as goggles and mask. This will prevent gypsum dust from entering your eyes and lungs, which can be quite irritating. Dressing in protective and sensible clothing is also highly recommended.
Get a vacuum cleaner to remove dust above the doorway and window trim. A hand dust can also do this job well. Drop clothes should also be used in order to protect finished floors, windows, doors, and other fixtures. If you can, you have to get a painters plastic and use it to protect your flooring and other things in the room that you dont want to get painted accidentally on.
After taping or sanding the drywall, it is important that you shouldnt let it sit too long as sunlight can cause it to yellow and fade, which will look uneven after painting it. To combat yellowing, you have to use a high quality latex stain-killing paint before you priming it.
You have to have a roller, a brush, and spray. Brushes are great for cutting around trim and for areas like corners. Rollers work great for painting on large areas. When using a roller, you have to remember that you need to the top coat across the direction that the primer coat was applied. This will give you a greater and cleaner finish. A paint sprayer can provide you with a fast way to paint the room but it will not really give you a consistently uniformed finish compared to using a roller.
You can settle with two coats of paint and for the finishing or the top coat, use two coatings of gloss pain. This will give you a finish that is washable and one that will not be prone to smudges and marks.
Always remember that when painting your drywall, take you time to prepare and make sure that you apply the proper painting techniques. With these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to have a professional looking finish even without the help of a professional painter.