Fixing wall cracks before painting is an important step in any painting project. It’s essential that the wall surface is properly prepared prior to apply paint, otherwise, the paint will not adhere properly and may quickly peel or crack. By filling and repairing cracks on a wall before you begin painting, you can achieve a professional-looking finish that will last many years. Here’s how to do it.
First, you need to identify what type of crack you are dealing with. There are two main types: hairline and major cracks. Hairline cracks are usually thin and superficial, while major cracks are wider than 4mm (1/8th inch) and typically run down the wall horizontally or vertically. You should also take into account structural damage caused by seismic activity or water exposure; for such cases, consult a professional contractor for advice about how to proceed.
Once identifying the type of crack, inspect around it for signs of movement or bulging; if so, then contact a professional as it might be a sign of bigger issues like foundation problems that should be addressed first before attempting repairs yourself.
For hairline cracks: use painter’s caulk to fill the gap between the drywall sheets and smooth out over it with your finger after application; let it dry overnight before proceeding with fixes for major cracks.
For major cracks: sand away loose material from around the edges of the crack with sandpaper until all flaking material is removed; then apply joint compound over it with a putty knife, smooth out evenly, and allow to dry for at least 12 hours, once dry use sandpaper again to level out any bumps or unevenness on the surface. Finally, apply painter’s caulk along seams in order to fill any gaps between pieces of plasterboard; smooth out evenly with your finger after application and allow to dry overnight prior to painting over it.
It’s important that you prepare the walls correctly to achieve a quality finish when painting them – this includes fixing any existing wall cracks beforehand as well as cleaning off dirt, debris, or old paint, which could affect how effectively new layers of paint stick onto them – if done correctly before you start applying paint these steps can help prolong the life expectancy of your finished product significantly!
