For Livermore area homes, one of the essential steps of preparing the walls for painting is patching the surface. Even simple wall patches can cover larger holes, making the damage look invisible with a coat of paint. Hiring help with drywall repair and painting will make the entire job faster and more efficient.

Correctly patching holes will camouflage any damage, so the repair doesn’t show through the new coat of paint. Since drywall can soak a lot of paint, a coat of primer is needed to prevent paint absorption and make it easier for the patched area to blend almost seamlessly into the surrounding surface.

What you will need:

• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint brush or foam roller
• Latex paint
• Protective gear, like goggles and face masks

Here’s how to patch and paint your drywall:

1. Use a putty knife and a joint compound to fill nail holes or minor dents.
2. Allow the joint compound to dry.
3. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the wall patch lightly to smooth out any ridges or bumps. Lightly rub around the edges to help the patch blend seamlessly into the surrounding wall. Be sure to wear goggles and a mask during the step.
4. Paint primer – in a thin coat – over the patched area using a bristle brush or a foam roller. Cover the area at least an inch away from the edge of the patch.
5. Allow the primer to dry for two to four hours or according to label instructions.
6. Apply a coat of paint over the patch with a clean brush or roller. Apply the paint thinly so that the patched area blends nicely into the surrounding wall.
7. After the first coat is on the wall, allow it to dry for two hours.
8. Add the second coat of paint and let it dry.
9. Optionally, you can apply a third coat of paint to get the best paint match.

You cannot tell if the new paint matches well with the rest of the walls until it is completely dry.

Some helpful tips:

• Paint comes in different finishes: flat, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, and glossy. Use the same paint finish on the patched area currently on the rest of the wall. Otherwise, the touch-up will look different from the rest of the wall and won’t blend in.
• Use a small, three-inch foam to apply paint smoothly over small patches. For larger patches, use a roller of standard size. A small foam or bristled brush will be adequate to apply paint on patched nail holes.

Patching, sanding, and priming are common steps in preparing surfaces before painting. It is not complicated to do. But when you realize you’ll have more holes and dents to deal with, it’s a good idea to hire help with wall patching and painting.

Now that the problem areas have been patched and painted, you’ll be able to enjoy a great-looking area without having to repaint the entire room. Choosing to hire help with wall patching and painting can help make this a reality in your home.  For homeowners living in the Livermore area, call Custom Painting, Inc. at 925-294-8062 for a free consultation and quote, or complete the Contact form.