Tips on Preparing Sheetrock Walls for Paint

New Sheetrock

• Sand newly hung, taped and mudded Sheetrock before painting. Seal off other parts of the home with plastic to prevent the spread of dust. Use 120- to 150-grit or drywall screen sandpaper on a pole sander to sand walls. Alternatively, use a wet sponge to smooth mudded wall joints. Smooth out joints by rubbing the sponge over rough areas. Periodically, dip the sponge in water and wring out thoroughly. Prime the walls with a coat of primer-sealer. James Kidd of Fine Homebuilding says a primer-sealer evens out and seals the porous surfaces of new drywall, whereas standard primer fills out textural differences and prepares the wall for paint.

Small Repairs

• Fix small nail holes with spackling compound. Cut away loose paper around the nail hole with a utility knife. Use a putty knife to fill the hole with a small amount of spackling paste. Scrape the knife over the surface of the hole after filling it with paste. Using a circular motion, wipe the area with a damp, white cloth, making sure the hole is filled. Use a peel-and-stick mesh patch to repair larger holes, such as those caused by doorknobs. Peel off the back of the patch and cover the hole. Apply three coats of drywall compound over the mesh patch with a drywall knife. After making repairs, let the drywall or joint compound dry, then sand until smooth. Prime the patch before painting.

Large Repairs

• For more extensive damage, Hometime.com suggests a "hat patch." Cut Sheetrock the size of the hole, leaving 1 inch of paper around the edges. Insert the patch into the hole, then tape the edges with joint tape. Apply two layers of joint compound with a putty knife. To repair a marred corner, cut out the damaged area with a hacksaw. Pry off the damaged corner bead and replace with a new, measured-to-fit piece of corner bead. Nail it in place. Apply several coats of drywall compound with a drywall knife. Apply the last coat with a taping knife. To repair a crack, sand the area to remove loose Sheetrock, then apply joint compound. After making repairs, let the drywall or joint compound dry, then sand until smooth. Prime the patch before painting.

Safety

• Wear a particle dust mask when sanding drywall because the dust can irritate the lungs. Cover 5-gallon buckets of primer or paint when not in use because these can pose a drowning hazard for small children.