DIY: How to Prepare Walls for Painting or Wallpapering

Applying a fresh coat of paint is the fastest and cheapest way to breathe new life into an old environment. Painting and wallpapering can be easy DIY (do it yourself) jobs if done right. Don't make the mistake of applying fresh paint or new wallpaper to an old wall without first preparing the wall.

According to Brian Santos, aka The Wall Wizard, 80 percent of a good paint or papering job is preparation. For a great finish, clean, smooth and seal the surface before applying that splashy new coat of paint or that new wallpaper. You'll be glad you did.

Gather DIY supplies. One of the best tools in any DIY kit is a bottle of 90% pure rubbing alcohol. Alcohol doesn't require rinsing and evaporates quickly. You'll also need clean sponges or a clean sponge mop, and two clean, empty buckets. Vinyl surfacing compound will be needed if there are nail holes or open joints to be filled. Sandpaper may be necessary to smooth filled areas.

Wall surfaces that are to be painted or wallpapered must be free of dirt and grime. They'll need a good wiping down before you freshen them up. Left behind grime will prevent paint and wallpaper from adhering correctly to the wall. There are a variety of household cleaners available. Before using alcohol or any other cleaner, make sure the room you're working in is properly ventilated. Fumes can be hazardous.

Clean. Pour alcohol or your cleaner of choice into one bucket. Dip sponge into cleaner then wipe down wall. Using a sponge mop will save your back and may make the process easier. You can use the 'scrubber' side of the mop for stuck on dirt and grime. After wiping, squeeze the sponge out over the empty bucket. This limits the amount of dirt and grime contamination in your cleaner.

Rubbing alcohol is a good choice of cleaner for walls because it doesn't require rinsing and evaporates fast, leaving no residue or damage behind. Many cleaners are flammable so don't smoke while using them and don't use them around open flames, including pilot lights on appliances.

Smooth. Before applying paint or wallpaper, it's important to smooth the surface. Remove or tap in nails and screws. Fill cracks, holes and open joints with a vinyl-surfacing compound. Follow directions on the surfacing compound container. Allow surface to dry thoroughly before painting or papering. Lightly sandpaper rough patches. Dust and wipe down sanded areas.

Seal. Apply a coat of Kilz or other sealer over areas containing stains, mold, mildew, etc. If you're going to be painting the wall, choose a sealer color that is close to the final shade of paint. Doing so can often help you avoid the need to apply an additional coat of paint.

DIY is a great way to save money and improve the value of your home. Fresh paint and wallpaper can totally change the feel of your home environment. Preparing walls for paint and paper doesn't have to be expensive, but it has to be done. Start your DIY home improvement painting or wallpapering project with quality preparation and you'll increase your chances of a quality painting and wallpapering result.