How do you prep a garage wall for painting?

Author: Ardith Casper PhD  |  Last update: Friday, April 11, 2025

Cleaning your garage walls is a two-step process: scrubbing and vacuuming. A bit of water and dish soap should help get rid of any grease and grime. Follow that up with a quick vacuum to get rid of any leftover dust and debris. That's key for preventing paint peeling and making sure your new paint job looks amazing.

How do you prepare a concrete wall for painting?

Clean the Surface: Remove dirt, dust, and debris. Use a pressure washer or scrub with a stiff brush and a mixture of water and mild detergent. Repair Cracks and Holes: Fill any cracks or holes with a concrete patching compound. Allow it to cure fully before painting.

Why do builders leave garages unpainted?

In summary, the decision to leave garage walls unfinished and unpainted often boils down to cost considerations for builders and homeowners alike. While concerns about taxes and practicality may influence this choice, DIY enthusiasts may opt to personalize their garage spaces according to their tastes and needs.

What is the best primer for garage drywall?

The PVA primer seals the drywall mud and ensures that you achieve a uniform color, finish, and lasting gloss on your garage walls with fewer coats of paint. Acrylic latex-based primers dry faster than oil-based primers, making the garage wall painting job more manageable.

What do you prep walls with before painting?

Step #4: Priming Walls Before Painting

Use a primer to get the most out of your paint, especially if your walls are porous or have surface stains that need covering up. Primers disguise imperfections, create a smooth surface for your paint to lock onto, and ensure a uniform finish no matter what you're painting.

How To Paint A New Garage - FAST And EASY!

How do professional painters prep walls?

In addition to smoothing out walls, painters may also do a bit of cleaning, remove stains, tape over trims in the room, and remove outlet covers. These steps can take a good chunk of time to complete but is especially important for ensuring the paint job isn't for nothing.

Can I use Dawn to wash walls before painting?

“It's a good idea to dust the walls to remove any loose dirt or cobwebs. You can use a duster or a soft cloth for this step,” Carpenter suggests. Prepare the cleaning solution. Start by filling your bucket with warm water and adding the Dawn dish soap.

How to prep garage walls for paint?

Get Your Garage Ready

Clear out or cover up any stuff like baseboards or cabinets that might get in the way. The walls need a good clean – a mix of water and dish soap should get rid of any dirt and oil. A quick go-over with a shop vac can help get rid of any pesky dust that might mess up your paint job.

Is it better to spray or roll drywall primer?

Conclusion. Typically, back rolling after spraying on walls and ceilings is ideal especially for your primer. It will help in promoting better adhesion of the primer and reduce issues of raised filaments with drywall.

Does kilz work as drywall primer?

Customers say the Kilz PVA primer is an effective and affordable solution for priming new drywall, often providing excellent coverage with just one coat. Many users appreciate its smooth application and quick drying time, which allows for efficient project completion.

What is the best paint for a garage wall?

Latex paint, also called acrylic latex, is water-based and easy to apply. It's beginner-friendly, dries quickly, and emits fewer fumes than other options. This type of paint is flexible, meaning it resists cracking over time, making it ideal for garages with temperature fluctuations.

How much drywall do I need for a 2 car garage?

The short answer is that you should multiply the height and width of all wall areas, add up the totals and add another 5% to 10% to cover trim and waste. Consider a detached 22'x30' 2.5-car garage with 10-foot ceilings: 2 walls 22'x10' = 220 + 220 or 440 total square foot. 1 wall 30'x10' = 300 square foot.

What is the cheapest way to cover garage walls?

Plywood, MDF, or OSB is the best material for building garage walls because it is both inexpensive and easy to work with. They may be attached to the studs with frame screws and, unlike drywall, don't necessitate any finishing touches.

Can you paint straight onto concrete walls?

Yes, you can paint directly onto concrete, but you will need to do some prep beforehand to get the best results. Spending a little extra time at the start will help to keep your newly painted surface looking fresher for longer.

Can you paint over old paint on concrete?

If your old concrete paint is in good condition, you can paint over it with a new coat. However, you will need to remove any loose or bubbling paint first before painting over the surface.

What do you clean concrete walls with before painting?

Apply an Etching Solution

Before etching, ensure that all old paint has been removed from the surface. DRYLOK® Concrete and Masonry Liquid Etch & Clean cleans, etches and brightens the concrete in one step, and it is a safer alternative to muriatic acid, which is highly corrosive and reactive.

Do professional painters spray or roll walls?

Professional painters utilize both methods, choosing between sprayers and rollers based on the job's requirements, surface type, and desired finish.

Why does primer stick better than paint?

The simple answer is primer has a higher resin density than regular paint. These paints bind to the wall materials and create a smoother surface. The higher resin density also helps the topcoat paint – which has more pigment than primer – stick to the surface and adhere for a long time.

Which primer spray is best?

  • KILZ. Original 13 oz. White Oil-Based Interior and Exterior Primer, Sealer, and Stain Blocker Aerosol. ...
  • KILZ. Original 13 oz. ...
  • Zinsser. Bulls Eye 1-2-3 13 oz. ...
  • Rust-Oleum Automotive. 12 oz. ...
  • Rust-Oleum Stops Rust. 24 oz. ...
  • Zinsser. 13 oz. ...
  • Zinsser. B-I-N 26 oz. ...
  • Rust-Oleum. 12 oz.

What do painters do to prep walls?

  1. STEP 1: Protect the area. ...
  2. STEP 2: Prepping old wallpaper. ...
  3. STEP 3: Newly plastered walls. ...
  4. STEP 4: Sand down the surfaces. ...
  5. STEP 5: Fill in the cracks. ...
  6. STEP 6: Clean the walls. ...
  7. STEP 7: Prime the walls. ...
  8. STEP 8: Wait two hours.

Can you paint directly on drywall in a garage?

If you want your freshly hung drywall to take paint well, use a PVA primer first. Applying paint directly to newly installed drywall can cause the paint to soak into the surface too rapidly, creating an uneven finish.

How much primer do I need for a 2 car garage?

In general, one gallon of paint or primer will cover roughly 250-350 square feet of surface.

Why don't professional painters wash walls before painting?

In most cases, professional painters don't wash walls with a detergent solution to avoid damaging the drywall or trim. Instead, most professional painters lightly sand or “scuff” the walls with a pole sander using fine-grit sandpaper.

What do professional painters use to clean walls?

Professional painters use mild detergent and warm water when washing walls prior to painting for the best results.

Why use TSP before painting?

When mixed with water to create an alkaline solution, TSP is a highly effective cleanser, degreaser, and stain remover. It's also used to prep painted surfaces for refinishing or repainting, as it can both de-gloss paint and remove flaking or peeling areas.

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