Before the first drop of paint hits the wall, preparation is everything. At YesColours, we believe painting should feel as good as the finished result looks. And the secret to a satisfying, smooth finish? Good prep. Whether you're going bold with Electric Mint Green or soft with Serene Yellow, giving your walls the care they need beforehand will will make sure your colour performs beautifully.
Why Wall Preparation Is Key to a Flawless Finish.
Preparation is key to achieving the best possible finish, yet it’s a step that’s often overlooked. Without proper prep, even the most beautiful paint can end up highlighting cracks, bumps or uneven textures. It also risks poor adhesion, patchy coverage, and premature peeling. And that's the last thing you'll want on your newly finished wall!
Tools and Materials You’ll Need.
Before you get started, gather everything you'll need:
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Dust sheets or protective covers
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Sugar soap or gentle cleaning solution (or a DIY mix of vinegar, water and essential oils)
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Sponge or cloth
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Filler or spackling paste
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Putty knife or scraper
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Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
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Primer (Zinsser 1-2-3 or B-I-N recommended)
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Paintbrushes or rollers
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Painter’s tape
How to Prepare Walls for Painting: Step-by-Step Guide.
Wall prep might not be the glamorous part, but it makes all the difference. Here’s how to get your walls paint-ready:
Step 1: Clean the Walls Thoroughly.
Dust, grease and grime can prevent paint from sticking properly. Use sugar soap or a natural mix of white vinegar, water and essential oils to wash down your walls. Pay extra attention to areas around light switches and cooking spaces. Once cleaned, let everything dry fully.
Step 2: Repair Cracks, Holes, and Imperfections.
Use a filler or spackling compound to patch up any holes, dents or cracks. Smooth it out with a putty knife and allow it to dry fully according to the product instructions. This step is especially important in older homes where wear and tear is more common.
Step 3: Sanding for a Smooth Surface.
Sanding is essential if your walls are uneven or have a previous layer of eggshell, satin, or gloss. Sanding creates a "key" (a slightly rough surface that allows new paint to grip and adhere properly). Once you’ve sanded, wipe away all dust with a damp or tack cloth.
Step 4: Apply Primer for Better Paint Adhesion.
Primer helps seal the surface, hide any repaired areas, and gives your paint the best chance of lasting beautifully. It's especially important for:
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Freshly plastered or porous walls
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Dark or heavily pigmented colours you're trying to cover
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Colours with lower pigment levels like yellow, green, orange and peach
How Priming Affects Your Paint Colour and Finish.
Priming helps seal the surface, hides repairs, and gives your paint the best chance of lasting beautifully. It’s crucial for freshly plastered or porous walls, dark or heavily pigmented colours, and lighter pigments like yellow, green, orange, and peach. Priming improves adhesion, reduces the number of coats needed, and prevents colour distortion.
Colour Tips for Painting.
For bold shades like our Electric Blue, painting over a dark or patchy surface can dull the vibrancy or create uneven tones. A white primer creates a neutral base that helps intense colours pop the way they’re meant to, to keep it looking sharp, saturated and true to the pouch.
Electric Blue is a vibrant electrifying shade that commands attention. Perfect for an accent wall or a bold pop of colour, it brings energy and personality to any space. Its true intensity is revealed when applied on a primed surface, creating sharp, radiant, and true-to-tone walls.
Lighter pigments such as Friendly Pink and Fresh Peach, which are softer pastel shades, also benefit from a primed surface to prevent patchiness or greying out, especially when painting over fresh plaster or darker base coats.
To ensure successful adhesion and a smooth finish, we recommend white, matt-finish primers like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 (water-based) or Zinsser B-I-N (shellac-based.
How to Deal with Previously Painted or Glossy Walls.
If your walls are already painted and have a sheen (like satin or gloss), lightly sand the surface to dull it before painting. This ensures proper adhesion and reduces the chance of peeling or scratching. Remove any flaking paint with a scraper and spot-prime those areas.
Top Tips for Preparing Different Wall Types (Plaster, Drywall, Brick)
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Plaster walls: Allow new plaster to cure fully (up to several weeks), then mist-coat with diluted emulsion or apply a white matt primer.
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Drywall: Use a primer-sealer designed for drywall to prevent uneven absorption.
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Brick or textured surfaces: Clean thoroughly and use a high-adhesion primer. Consider using a masonry sealer if the surface is particularly porous.
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Raw wood or woodwork: Lightly sand and prime with an appropriate base to seal the surface and prevent blotchy finishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Wall Prep.
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Skipping cleaning, dirt or grease can ruin your finish.
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Not allowing filler or primer to fully dry.
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Forgetting to sand down patched or glossy areas.
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Painting over loose or peeling paint.
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Skipping primer when it’s needed (e.g., on porous surfaces or bold colour transitions).
FAQs About Preparing Walls for Painting.
Do I really need to sand walls before painting?
If your walls have a glossy finish or an uneven surface, sanding is essential to help the new paint adhere properly. Even previously painted walls with satin or eggshell finishes should be lightly sanded. If the surface is matt and in good condition, a thorough clean might be enough. When in doubt, try a small test area before going ahead.
How long should I wait after priming before painting?
Most primers are dry to the touch within two to four hours, but drying time depends on the product, surface and room conditions. Always check the label on your specific primer to be sure. Rushing this step can lead to patchy results or poor adhesion, so it’s worth waiting until the surface is fully dry.
Can I paint straight onto fresh plaster or new drywall?
Freshly plastered or newly installed drywall needs to be sealed before you paint. A mist coat made with diluted emulsion or a high-quality white primer will help create an even, stable surface. Without this step, your paint may absorb unevenly and look patchy, especially with lighter shades like yellow, peach or green.
Prep Right for a Perfect Paint Job.
Wall preparation is the quiet hero of any decorating project. Taking the time to clean, sand, and prime means your chosen colour will go on smoother, last longer, and look more beautiful in the long run.
A quick reminder:
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Give your YesColours pouch or tub a good shake or stir to evenly distribute the pigments.
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1 litre of YesColours paint covers approximately 15 square metres.
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Measure the length x height of each wall to work out how much paint you need, then total them up for the room.
We recommend 2 coats for optimum coverage — and an extra coat for those lighter, trickier pigments like yellow, green, or peach.
Always start with a generous first coat and trust the process. Your walls will thank you.
Give Your Colour the Canvas It Deserves.
At YesColours, we believe colour deserves the right canvas. That’s why wall preparation is more than a practical step and it’s part of the experience. From cleaning and sanding to priming with care, good prep sets your space up for success. Whether you're going bold or keeping it calm, taking the time to prepare will help your colour look better, last longer, and feel even more satisfying to apply.
Not sure which colour will bring your space to life? Our Lead Colour Consultant, Emily Harnasz, is here to guide you through it. With expert advice tailored to your style, light, and mood, our Colour Consultation service will help you choose with confidence — so your finished look doesn’t just look right, it feels right too.