I am going to re-texture our bathroom walls. It had several layers of unsightly white paint and many bad patch jobs. I've sanded down the walls but am a little foggy on the next steps. I thought I would then clean the walls, apply joint compound, texture, then paint primer and then paint. Is this the right process? If so, do I apply two layers of joint compound, one thin and one thick? Do I have to put a primer on the sanded walls before the joint compound?

Razzles

 

What kind of texture are you applying? Knock down, Orange Peel???.....

Priming the walls prior to texturing will depend on weather the current paint has a lot of sheen to it. Semi-Gloss or a glossy paint will probably be best served with primer to insure good adhesion. If it was me, I would prime regardless.

 

Bath rms are typically painted with an enamel so primer wouldn't hurt although depending on how well the walls are sanded - it might not be necessary.

It sounds like you'll need to apply a thin skim coat of joint compound. Depending how it looks after it dries and is sanded will determine if it needs more j/c. Once you are satisfied with the condition of the wall, remove any sanding dust and texture. Then it's just primer and latex enamel. A bath rm enamel is even better and if you don't have an exhaust fan or have had any mold/mildew issues in the past - it's highly recommended!


almost forgot welcome to the forums!

 

Thank you both. - We are using orange peel for texture. The walls are grossly glossy. I plan on cleaning the walls from the sanding with bleach water as I read was a good way to go. Suggestions? Marksr, when you say bathrm enamel are you referring to the paint or is it something different? Also - what primer should I use for the sanded walls and does this go on before j/c or over the j/c as paint primer? Thanks!

 

Marksr is the pro on paint types, but the process would be to prime - texture - and prime again - then paint.

Use all purpose joint compound thinned down with water. I have a commercial grade Hopper Gun for big jobs and a small hopper gun that you attach to a compressor for smaller jobs. If using a hopper and compressor, test on some scrap cardboard until you get used to the process. If your jc is too thin or thick it will change the desired spray pattern. Start your compressor out at 30 psi and adjust up or down from there. Know that the first spit out of the hopper sometimes globs, so I usually spray initially at a scrap of cardboard on the floor.

Once the orange peel has dried (minimum overnight) take a wide putty knife (at least 6 inches) and scrap along the surface of the orange peel. This will knock off any high peaks and give you a more uniform texture. Keep the bathroom door open while you are drying the orange peel to allow moisture to escape from the bathroom.

 

OK - so just make sure this is clear to me....I am priming the already sanded walls with???, then applying j/c, then texture, knock off high peaks, prime with paint primer and then paint?

 

A lot depends on the type of paint that is currently on the walls - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/pa...latex-oil.html
Generally any quality latex primer will work unless the walls are coated with oil base enamel, then they would need an oil base primer. Both texture and latex paint will adhere fine to oil primer.

IF the existing paint has a lot of scratches in it - you can probably forgo the primer.
I hardly ever scrape orange peel texture but have used a light touch with a sanding pole to knock off any high spots or boogers in the texture.

 

OK, so I there are no paint brush marks on the paint but I believe our bathrooms were spray painted. I tried the alcohol on the rag and some paint came off on the rag when I rubbed it over a few times. Is it safe to assume I have latex then? It seems so according to the link provided.

 

It's doubtful the paint was sprayed. Generally repaints aren't sprayed - too much work covering everything up, clean up, etc. It's almost always more cost effective to brush and roll repaints. Using good paint, good brush and roller, I can apply most residential paints and not have visible brush marks.

It does sound like you have latex paint. If you like the way the walls sanded, skip the initial priming, if the walls still appear real shiny [absence of sanding scratches] either resand with a coarser grit or use a primer before applying the j/c.

 

Thank you so much! I really appreciate all your help!