How to Prepare Your Walls Before Painting A Complete Checklist

How to Prepare Your Walls Before Painting – A Complete Checklist

By Sunshine Home Painting Service – Kolkata’s Trusted Painting Experts

When it comes to painting your home, the secret to a smooth, flawless, and long-lasting finish lies not just in the paint itself but in how well you prepare your walls beforehand. Skipping proper wall preparation can result in peeling, patchy, or uneven surfaces that ruin your paint’s beauty and durability.

As Kolkata’s most reliable home painting company, Sunshine Home Painting Service brings you a complete checklist to help you prepare your walls before painting — ensuring professional-grade results every time.

Why Wall Preparation Matters

Many homeowners overlook wall preparation, focusing only on color selection. But even premium paints can fail if the surface beneath isn’t ready. Proper wall prep ensures:

Stronger paint adhesion

Even, streak-free finishes

Protection from dampness and peeling

Longer paint life and easy maintenance

Kolkata’s humid climate makes preparation even more critical, as moisture can lead to bubbles or fungus if walls aren’t treated correctly.

Step 1: Clear the Space and Protect Surfaces

Start by moving furniture away from the walls or covering it with plastic sheets. Remove wall décor, curtain rods, and switch covers. Use painter’s tape to mask edges, window frames, and skirting boards. This prevents accidental splashes and keeps your work neat.

At Sunshine Home Painting Service, our professionals use industrial-grade coverings to protect your furniture and flooring before painting begins.

Step 2: Clean the Walls Thoroughly

Dust, grease, and grime can interfere with paint adhesion.

Use a soft cloth or vacuum brush to remove loose dirt.

Wash greasy areas with a mild detergent and water solution.

For mold or mildew (common in Kolkata’s humidity), use a mix of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water.

After cleaning, let the walls dry completely. Painting over damp walls can cause bubbling and peeling later.

Step 3: Repair Cracks, Holes, and Dampness

Inspect the walls for imperfections.

Fill cracks and nail holes with wall putty or filler.

For larger cracks, apply putty in layers and allow it to dry fully.

Sand the patched areas smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.

Treat damp spots with an anti-moisture solution before continuing.

Our experts at Sunshine Home Painting Service pay special attention to seepage-prone areas like corners and bathroom-adjacent walls to prevent future paint damage.

Step 4: Sand the Surface

Sanding removes flaking paint and smooths out uneven textures, creating the perfect base for painting. Use 180- to 220-grit sandpaper and work gently in circular motions. After sanding, wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove dust.

This step ensures that your primer and paint will adhere evenly for a silky, professional finish.

Step 5: Apply a Quality Primer

Priming is the bridge between your wall surface and the paint. It enhances paint adhesion, prevents stains from showing through, and improves color vibrancy.

Choose the right primer:

Oil-based primer for older or previously painted surfaces

Latex primer for new plaster or putty work

Moisture-resistant primer for humid environments like Kolkata

Sunshine Home Painting Service uses only premium-grade primers from trusted brands such as Asian Paints, Nerolac, and Berger to ensure lasting protection and superior coverage.

Step 6: Final Inspection Before Painting

Once priming is complete, take time to recheck your walls:

Ensure all surfaces are smooth and dry

Lightly sand any rough patches

Remove remaining dust or debris

A thorough inspection before applying paint guarantees that your walls are perfectly prepped for the color of your choice.