How to Repaint a Semigloss Wall

Prepare the area for painting by laying drop cloths on the floor, unscrewing light switch and electrical plate covers, and putting painter's tape around edges that you don't want painted. Remove any wall decorations, put the furniture in the center of the room and cover it with a tarp. Fill any holes in the wall using a putty knife and spackling compound. When the compound is dry, sand it smooth with 220-grit sandpaper.

Wash the walls using trisodium phosphate, a sponge and bucket. TSP removes any residue on the walls and prepares it for painting. Wear rubber gloves when working with TSP.

Apply a latex adhesion primer designed for covering glossy surfaces. Cut in the primer along the edges of the wall using a 2-inch-wide bristle brush. Paint the remaining surface with a sponge roller and paint tray, using zigzag motion. Allow the primer to cure according to package instructions. Do not let the primer dry past the recommended curing time or it loses its adhesion quality.

Paint the walls with your chosen paint. Acrylic paint is a high-end and provides rich, flexible color that works well over latex primer. Any paint finish will adhere to the primer. Apply the paint in the same way as you did the primer, using a paintbrush for the edges and a sponge roller for the main section. Apply a second coat after it cures. When you are finished covering the walls with the final coat, smooth the surface by going over it with the sponge roller in even, overlapping downward strokes. This makes the paint lay in one direction.