How to Paint a Wall in 4 Steps

Learning how to paint a wall is a fun and a rewarding task that can be shared with your whole family. Follow the steps below to get started in painting a wall in your home.

Step1-Gather the Necessary Materials

You will need the following materials to get your project off the ground:

• 1 large paint bucket;
• 1 metal screen for the bucket;
• 1firm bristled brush;
• 1 one roller;
• 1 can of primer (unless your walls are white in which case you won't need to prime);
• 1 roll of plastic poly;
• 1 roll of painter's tape;
• 1-2 pieces of sand paper, and;
• 1 can of paint.

Step 2-Before You Prime

Use the plastic roll of poly and some blue painters tape to cover and protect the floor and any valuables near the wall you intend to paint. Take down any art work that may be on the wall. Use the painter's tape to cover the corners of anything you don't want paint on like the window or mantle.  

Step 3-Prime Your Wall

Use the hard bristled brush to edge the wall. Edging the wall means that you should paint a 8-10 inch wide margin around all corners. This will make it easier to be accurate with the roller. Once you have edged and rolled the entire wall in primer, wait for it to dry thoroughly and then sand it. Run the sand paper up and down the entire wall until it is smooth and shiny.

Step 4-Paint Your Wall

Follow the same steps for painting as you would for priming. Edge the wall's corners, windows, and anything else that may be risky to use the roller near. Once you have completed the edging, use the roller on the rest of the wall. Don't forget to run the roller along the metal screen in the paint bucket, this will keep your work clean and even. Depending on the thickness of your paint and your personal color preference, wait for the paint to dry, sand it once more, and then paint again. Always use at least two coats and three at the most for the best results.