So you want to paint your walls? You see endless ripples, waves, cracks and flaws. With the proper prep for interior surfaces and paint only your imagination can stop you from having the professional look you are aiming for. After you prep interior surfaces your walls can become a beautiful accent or an attractive center to your room.

You must begin by the proper interior surface preparation. Taking the time to clean and prime your walls will guarantee a longer lasting paint finish.

Begin by washing your walls. Using a damp, not dripping sponge, wash with a common household cleaner from the bottom up to avoid streaking. Rinse with clear water and let dry.

Prep interior surfaces and fix any problems now.

Water stains: Use a stain sealing primer that contains shellac. Remember to check why you have a water stain. Immediate attention to the problem will prevent major problems down the road. If left unsealed your new faux finish will eventually be ruined by the stain showing through.

Colored stains: Crayon and marker are not always removed easily. Apply a stain remover and use a sealing primer.

Mildew and Mold: If it is mildew it will not wash away with water and detergent. Use a soft bristle brush to scrub away the mildew using one part chlorine bleach to four parts water which will kill the mildew. Then wash with a TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution rinsing with clear water.

Peeling paint: Scrape away the loose paint and apply a thin coat of spackle to the edges of the remaining paint. Allow to dry thoroughly and sand lightly. Wipe clean with a damp sponge. This will create a smooth transition between the bare wall and the surrounding surfaces.

Filling small nail holes: Fill completely the nail hole with spackle or drywall compound until level with the wall and smooth with sandpaper after it has dried. If the nail hole is in drywall drive a new screw about 2 inches from the original sinking the head slightly below the surface and follow the directions above.

Filling dents and gouges in drywall: Fill the dent with spackle. For deep holes you may have to build up layers allowing the layers to dry as you go. For large holes, cut a neat hole and use backer strips from the drywall and hot glue them to the back of the hole. Then cut a patch and secure it to the strips using hot glue. Apply an adhesive drywall tape over the area then spackle. Dry then sand the area. For an easy repair self adhering metal and fiberglass patches are available.

Cracks: Gently smooth away any loose plaster and apply self adhesive drywall tape. Apply a thin layer of compound over the tape to hide the edges, dry, and sand to create a smooth area.

Once you prep interior surfaces it is time to begin. Whatever technique or color you choose the finished product will be attractive and well worth the time you spent.

Interior surfaces do need a bit of attention before you apply any paint to them. In most situations, the work that is needed is fairly minor. Still, spending a bit of time improving the surface can help you to have a better finished look to your project. Consider the following tips and methods to improving the surface of most interior projects so that you can have a great finished look to your project.

Removing Paint and Varnish

On some surfaces, it is important to remove the paint or varnish on the surface before applying another color to it. This does not have to be a difficult process, though. In most cases, it just takes using the right products effectively. If the surface has several layers of paint, and the home is older, be careful when removing the paint. In some cases, this could be paint that is lead based, which takes a special process to remove (including wearing safety masks and ensuring that the paint is completely removed and discarded.)

The following at some tips to help you with removing paint and varnish from the surfaces you plan to paint.

Invest in a chemical solvent. You can also use sandpaper on some surfaces or a heat application. This can help you to remove the layers of paint easily, though, since the chemicals can help to blister the existing paint without doing any damage to the surface itself.

Using gloves and a mask, apply the chemical solvent to the surface according to the manufacturer’s directions. Then, allow it to sit for at least ten minutes. This allows for the chemical to get into the paint and start to lift it from the surface.

Use a flat edge scrapper to remove these layers of paint. Keep it at an angle so that you do not damage the surface itself. Scrap off as much of the paint that will come off without gouging into the surface.

Use sandpaper or another coat of the chemical solvent to continue to remove the rest of the paint.

Allow the surface to fully dry for 24 hours before trying to apply any additional paint to the surface. This will allow enough time for the chemicals to evaporate enough that you can paint over them.

Whenever it is possible to remove the paint or varnish from the surface, do so. This allows you to have a better coat of your own paint over the top. It also can help to keep the surface healthy and in good condition. You can often paint over the top of the existing paint, especially if it is a flat paint, but removing these layers can help to improve the surface enough to give you that professional look.