How to Paint a Long Hallway

Remove light fixtures and hardware, such as electrical plates and light switch covers. Lay a canvas or paper-backed plastic drop cloth on the floor to protect the floor from paint spills and dust. Move the drop cloth if needed as you work down the hallway.

Repair any cracks and holes in the hallway walls with painter's putty or a lightweight spackle. Allow the material to dry and then sand it thoroughly to smooth it. While you're at it, lightly sand the entire wall to remove dust and create a slightly abraded surface that paint can adhere to.

Wash the walls with 1/4 cup trisodium phosphate mixed with 1 gallon warm water to remove dust and grime. Rinse the wall with clean water and wear gloves since trisodium phosphate can cause minor skin irritations.

Caulk cracks along baseboards and trim with caulking. Make a small hole in the caulking tube and make a neat long along the crack. Smooth it with your finger or a slightly damp cloth. Allow it to dry completely before proceeding.

Tape the baseboard and ceiling with blue painter's tape. Press down firmly on the tape with your finger or a putty knife to ensure a tight seal so paint doesn't leak through.

Prime the walls with a high-quality primer. A narrow hallway shows imperfections more readily than a large, open room. A primer disguises patch jobs and paint rolls on more smoothly. Allow the primer to dry and sand again.

Pour the mixed paint into a bucket and use a roller grid to absorb excess paint. You're more likely to step in or trip over a paint tray in a long hallway, especially if you're working with a partner in the tight space. Roller grids and a bucket use paint more efficiently, and are easier to clean up, as well.

Load your roller so the paint goes on smoothly without splattering. Start at the top of the wall and work downward in long, smooth strokes. The classic approach is to paint a "W" to remove excess paint from the roller and then fill in the area with long strokes. Allow the paint to dry, sand and apply a second coat to the hallway.