Stripping and painting a wall

From Habitat magazine - issue 04

Learn how to strip and paint a wall with the help of Resene.

Supplies used
Supplies used

You will need:

  • Wallpaper scoring tool
  • Metylan Wallpaper Remover
  • 25mm and 75mm broadknives
  • 80-grit sandpaper
  • 80-grit and 220-grit Zinc Stearate sandpaper
  • Dust mask
  • Selleys Rapidfilla (or similar)
  • Selleys No More Gaps
  • Bucket and stirrer
  • Rubbish bags
  • Drop cloth and some old towels to protect floors
  • Resene Broadwall Surface Prep and PAL high solids roller sleeve
  • Resene Sureseal pigmented sealer
  • Turpentine (for the Resene Sureseal)
  • PAL number 4 roller sleeve
  • 35mm paintbrush for cutting in
  • Roller tray
  • Handle and wooden extension pole
  • Mesh tape and Tradeset 45

Step-by-step instructions:

Step 1

Step 1b

Step 1:  Mix the Metylan Wallpaper Remover with water in the bucket. Score the wallpaper using the wallpaper scoring tool. Scrape off the existing wallpaper. Apply the wallpaper remover to the walls with a large paintbrush, dust broom or sponge. Strip the paper using the two broadknives – the 75mm for larger areas and the 25mm for harder-to-reach and tightly stuck spots. Work from top to bottom in large sheets. Older paper that’s hard to remove may require a wallpaper steamer.

Step 2:

Sand the surface with 80-grit sandpaper to remove any residual wallpaper.

Step 3:

Fill any gouges and voids using Selleys Rapid filla. Sand any overfilled areas with 220-grit sandpaper.

Step 4

Step 4:

Apply one or two coats of Resene Broadwall Surface Prep to the wall, using a PAL high solids roller sleeve, lay off with a dry roller several times until the coating is lightly textured and evenly distributed. This will give a light orange peel effect, which will help to hide surface imperfections. It can easily be sanded to achieve a smoother finish, if desired. If sanding, use a suitable dust mask to avoid irritation. There is no need to cut in to skirtings, corners and architraves with a brush. Sand, using 220-grit sandpaper.

Step 5

Step 5:

In existing walls where movement over the years has resulted in failure of the wallboard joins, fix the damage with mesh tape before proceeding. Fill any gaps between the skirting board and the wall lining with Selleys No More Gaps.

Step 6

Step 6:

Apply Resene Sureseal pigmented sealer, to prevent stains from glue residue and aged wallboard discolouring the paint topcoats. Lightly sand to remove any imperfections.

Step 7

Step 7:

Apply the topcoats of your choice using the number 4 roller sleeve, selecting low-sheen options where possible, as they will help to hide any surface imperfections. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is an ideal choice for interiors.

Words: with thanks to John Farrar from Visual Image
Pictures: Lucent* Media

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