How to Fix Bumps in a Wall Before Painting

Incorrectly smoothing a wall prior to painting can result in the wall having visible deformations and bumps. If you need to sell the house, these bumps can negatively affect a potential buyer's perception. Correctly prepping a wall involves creating a smooth surface prior to painting. Doing so helps ensure your paint will adhere properly and not chip or crack.

Putty knife
Hand sander
220-grit sandpaper
Metal ruler
Carpenter's razor
Sheetrock mud

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape free all visible protrusions such as nail holes and chipped drywall using a putty knife.
- 2
  Sand the drywall smooth using a hand sander fitted with 220-grit sandpaper.
- 3
  Drag the edge of a metal ruler across the wall, noting where it "rides" along previously undetected bumps or protrusions.
- 4
  Cut a circle around protrusions that you can't sand without wearing out multiple sheets of sandpaper.
- 5
  Excavate the protrusion from the wall with the tip of a carpenter's razor until you have created a small divot.
- 6
  Use a putty knife to fill the divot with sheetrock mud.
- 7
  Scrape the mud smooth using the edge of the putty knife. Allow the mud 24 to 48 hours to dry.
- 8
  Sand the dried mud smooth using the hand sander and 220-grit sandpaper.
- 9
  Drag the edge of the metal ruler across the wall, ensuring you have detected all uneven areas in the wall.

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