Blog>Questions>Can I prime and paint or do I need to put a layer of mud first?
Last updated: 8 October 2021
Can I prime and paint or do I need to put a layer of mud first?
I recently bought a house and ripped out a built in wardrobe to redecorate. I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to DIY! The wardrobe has pulled off some of the paper that was on the wall (which others had painted over). I've pulled the paper away and it's gone down to a grey, almost shiny wall that I THINK is drywall (it's hollow when I knock on it). It's cracked in the corners so I think it may have had a layer of mud on it already. I wanted to know if I can prime and paint on this or would I need to put a layer of mud on it first?
Question: I recently bought a house and ripped out a built in wardrobe to redecorate. I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to DIY! The wardrobe has pulled off some of the paper that was on the wall (which others had painted over). I've pulled the paper away and it's gone down to a grey, almost shiny wall that I THINK is drywall (it's hollow when I knock on it). It's cracked in the corners so I think it may have had a layer of mud on it already. I wanted to know if I can prime and paint on this or would I need to put a layer of mud on it first?
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Answer(s):
Peter Rychtowski, Peters Handy Man Services NI, Maghera
If surfaces are smooth my advice is simple. Buy 1 tube of painter mate flex filler something like silicone. 30 minutes later you can paint over. Fill corner cracks and run wet paintbrush over just to blend in. And just like that, it's ready to paint with no need for primer. But make sure all wall cracks are fixed first.
Wayne De Wet, Wayne De Wet, Caister on Sea
If the dry lining jointing compound has come away then a repair is required. Also if the internal corner tape has been removed then this needs a flexible repair. This could be done in a few different ways:
1. Use a Toupret joint and skim products and sand down any loose area, apply and sand down when dry.
2. Use Toupret flex fill or skim flex
Both are incredible trade quality products. Follow instructions on the packaging.
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