How to Paint Fresh Drywall

When you're painting over existing drywall, you often have to deal with old paint chips, plaster patching and other exhaustive prep work. If you're fortunate enough to be working with a fresh drywall surface, the paint will go on easily without much special attention. Primer is a good idea to help seal the surface, but there isn't much else you'll need to prep this blank slate for painting.

Painter's tape
General purpose primer
Paintbrush
Roller
Interior latex paint

Instructions

- 1
  Apply painter's tape to any trim or fixtures that you don't want painted.
- 2
  Prime the drywall's edges with a general purpose primer and a paintbrush. This is referred to as "cutting in," and it leads to a better-looking finish for primer and paint when compared to using a roller for the entire surface.
- 3
  Prime the main surfaces with a roller. Wait for the primer to dry.
- 4
  Paint the primed edges with a paintbrush and interior latex paint. A latex paint with a flat or eggshell finish is typical of drywall, but you can use paint with a semi-gloss or high-gloss finish if you prefer.
- 5
  Paint the main surfaces with latex paint and a roller. Roll the paint on in parallel strokes to prevent unwanted roller marks.
- 6
  Apply a second coat of paint if needed after the base coat dries. Fresh drywall will often cover nicely in just one coat, but sometimes a second layer of paint is necessary.
- 7
  Remove the painter's tape once the final coat dries.

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