Expert Q&A for How to Paint White Walls

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How should I prepare my walls for painting?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

Before you start painting, you should fill any holes and cracks in the walls. It's also a good idea to do a little sanding before applying the paint. If you're painting a wall that's never been painted before, you'll want to prime it first as well.

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Question

What kind of paint should I use?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

I recommend using a high-quality, two-in-one paint and primer. If you're painting a wall that's never been painted before, you may need to prime it separately, but generally a two-in-one paint and primer will work.

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Question

What part of the wall should I paint first?

Barry Zakar
Handyman
Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

Barry Zakar

Handyman

Expert Answer

I always start with what they call the "cut-ins," those areas where a roller can’t go—corners, edges, and where the top of the wall meets the ceiling. They're the most intensive to paint and you're the freshest at that point. I don't like to try and tackle them when I'm tired at the end of the job.

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Question

How do you prevent the floor from getting damaged while painting?

Patrick Coye
Painting Specialist
Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.

Patrick Coye

Painting Specialist

Expert Answer

If the floor is new and you do not want scuff marks or paint splashes, you can use cardboard flooring. But that can be a bit expensive.

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How can I hide the indentations on a wall with paint?

Patrick Coye
Painting Specialist
Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.

Patrick Coye

Painting Specialist

Expert Answer

If there are indentations on the wall, use textured paint. They will blend in a little more with the textured paint.

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