Have you just purchased a new house in which some of the walls are so sombre or so flamboyant that they absorb all light and loom over you? Repainting them in a lighter colour is the solution.
However, one may easily become discouraged by the idea of having to go over a wall 10 times to get rid of dark paint (a long and expensive process). Here is our advice to avoid losing your mind when embarking on such a project!
1. Choose the Right Tools
Contrary to popular opinion, the darkest wall colours are not necessarily the most difficult to cover up. Black, for example, is relatively easy to conceal when compared to blues, yellows and especially reds. If you are dealing with one of these hues, get ready to apply several coats of paint. To cut down on the volume of work, spring for quality brushes and rollers: you’ll feel the difference at the first stroke.
2. Select Quality Paint
Certain paint brands provide superior coverage to lower-end products. Obtain information at a specialized store to find the best type of paint for the colour you want to hide.
3. Adequately Prepare the Walls
As for all painting projects, one must begin by properly prepping the wall. There are no shortcuts! Patch up all holes with compound, then gently smooth out the repairs with fine sandpaper. Your paint will adhere far better to a well prepared and even surface.
4. Use a White Primer
When painting a lighter colour over a dark wall, start with a coat of white primer. Using white primer will ensure that the new paint dries to the desired shade, without the original deeper colour bleeding through the paler. White primer also cuts down on the number of additional coats needed to achieve full coverage, reducing the project’s overall costs.
An extra tip is to tint the base layer with the colour you have selected for the wall.
5. Follow the Correct Technique
When applying the primer to the wall, move the roller in large “M” or “W” shapes. When reloading your roller with primer, remember to roll it along the slanted part of the tray to remove some of the excess product. This will help avoid leaving roller lines in the paint finish. Allow the first coat of primer to dry completely before applying a second one. Do not cut corners during this step. The base coat is essential to making sure none of the old colour remains visible beneath the new.
6. In this Case, Less Is not More
A mistake to avoid during this project is applying coats of paint to the wall too thinly. Make your paint and its colour blocking abilities work for you by not skimping when loading paint onto the roller. The pros say that feeling like you’ve put too much paint on the roller means you’re actually using enough. This will lessen the number of coats you will need to neutralize the dark colour. Take care, however, to avoid unsightly spattering.
One final tip: if you want the sleek look of a lighter shade, but don’t have the energy to repaint the whole room, leave one of the dark walls untouched. You will thus create an accent wall that will give a lively boost to your decor. This is a great option if the paint colour is still trendy and suits your needs.