Painting drywall is a common DIY task that can dramatically transform your space—but getting it right takes more than just grabbing a brush and a bucket of paint. Drywall has a porous surface that absorbs paint quickly, which means skipping the proper prep steps can waste gallons of paint and leave you with a patchy finish. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before painting drywall, from priming to choosing the right type of paint.
Painting Drywall Basics
Painting drywall is very similar to painting regular walls. If you’ve painted a wall before, you can easily handle painting drywall using the same brushes, rollers, and paint.
However, drywall tends to absorb more paint due to its porous structure. This is especially true for brand-new, unpainted drywall—it can soak up gallons of paint if not prepped correctly. To prevent this, you should always apply a primer before painting drywall. A dedicated drywall primer is the best choice, but you can also use other types such as bonding primer, latex primer, water-based primer, or oil-based primer. Tip: Only use oil-based primers with oil-based paints.
Primer doesn’t just reduce paint absorption—it also helps the paint adhere better to the drywall. Without primer, the paint may peel or flake off over time. Since unpainted drywall surfaces are usually dusty, primer also creates a clean surface for the paint to stick to. Tip: If the drywall has already been painted and the paint is intact, you can skip priming.
How to Smooth Drywall Before Painting
To smooth out drywall surfaces, use water-based spackle or fine plaster. These are great for filling in cracks or holes. After applying, wait about 5 hours for it to dry completely. Then sand the patched areas with 180- to 220-grit sandpaper. “Related post: How to prepare drywall for painting.”
How to Get Drywall Dust Off Walls Before Painting
Start by wiping the drywall with a damp cloth to remove dust. Once the surface dries, apply a drywall primer before painting.
What Kind of Paint Works Best on Drywall?
Drywall accepts most types of paint. Water-based paints like latex and acrylic are commonly used, but oil-based, polyurethane, epoxy, and even cellulose paints can also be applied. Just remember to prime the surface first for the best results. “Related post: Which paint is best for walls?”
How to Paint Drywall
- Make sure the drywall is properly secured. Loose drywall can flex and cause paint to crack.
- Inspect the surface for cracks and holes. Fill any imperfections with water-based filler or joint compound. Let it dry fully, then sand with 180-grit sandpaper.
- Apply one coat of drywall primer. This prevents the drywall from absorbing too much paint and improves adhesion.
- If you don’t have drywall primer, use a transition primer, bonding primer, acrylic primer, exterior primer, or stain-blocking primer. Tip: Only use oil-based primer with oil-based paint.
- Allow the primer to dry for at least 5 hours.
- Apply the first coat of paint using a high-quality roller with short nap.
- Let it dry. For latex, acrylic, or other water-based paints, wait at least 5 hours.
- Apply a second coat of paint. This is usually enough, but drywall may absorb more paint than regular walls. A third coat might be necessary for a smooth, even finish.
Can You Paint Directly onto Drywall?
Yes, you can paint directly on drywall—but it will absorb a lot of paint. You could waste gallons if you skip priming. That’s why we always recommend applying primer first.
How to Use Paper Tape on Drywall
Use high-quality paper tape specifically made for drywall. Low-quality tape may peel off early due to drywall’s dusty texture.
How to Paint New Drywall
Before painting fresh drywall, wipe off any excess dust with a damp cloth. Once dry, apply drywall primer. For extra absorption control, you can apply two thin coats of primer with 5-hour intervals. Primer also improves paint adhesion.
What Happens If You Don’t Prime Drywall Before Painting?
If you skip the primer, drywall will absorb too much paint and the paint won’t adhere properly. This could result in peeling, uneven color, and wasted paint. Priming is a crucial step in achieving a long-lasting, professional finish. “Related post: Wall paint bubbling.”
How to Paint a Drywall Ceiling
Before painting a drywall ceiling, inspect it for cracks or holes. Fill them with joint compound or lightweight spackle. If the ceiling is unpainted, apply drywall primer first, followed by at least two coats of paint.
