How to paint a cracked or damaged wall

Let's take a look at how to paint a cracked or damaged wall. The easiest way to freshen up the interior or exterior of your home is with a new coat of paint, but what do you do if your wall is cracked or damaged? Tips on how to paint a cracked or damaged wall;

Repair the damage

The repair you need to do depends on the extent of the damage. If there are fine cracks in the paint itself that haven't reached the substrate, you'll simply need to remove the loose paint and sand the edges smooth. If the cracks are deep, you'll need to remove all the paint before repainting the wall.

But if the wall itself is cracked or damaged, you’ll need to do some DIY before priming and painting your wall. Hairline cracks are the easiest repair to fix and only require a few simple tools.

What you will need

First, you'll need to widen the crack, otherwise the plaster patch won't have anything to stick to. Professionals use a large, flat-bladed putty knife or putty knife, but you can use a flat-bladed screwdriver or even a credit card to remove some of the plaster around the crack.

Remove any dust or loose plaster with a cloth – an old towel will do. Now fill the crack with prepared plaster using a putty knife or any flat, flexible blade. Leave to dry for at least 24 hours before sanding to a smooth surface if necessary.

Repairing Crack

For more serious damage, such as larger cracks or holes, the process is a bit more involved. First, use a paintbrush to remove dust and loose plaster. Now, create a bonding compound by mixing 5 parts PVA glue with 1 part water and paint all around the hole and some of the surrounding wall.

Now press your prepared mortar firmly into the hole using a plastering knife, being careful not to use too much at a time. Now roughly smooth out the mortar and leave it to set for about thirty minutes. Now smooth out the mortar as flat as you can and allow it to dry completely before sanding it smooth.

For larger or more complex repairs, consult a professional.

Priming for painting

Make sure the external walls are completely dry and any efflorescence has stopped. Remove any moss and algae by washing with a 4:1 solution of bleach to water, then scrape to remove any residue with a patterned roller. Any bad surfaces will need to be wire brushed and coated with bonding fluid. Your walls are now ready to be primed with a suitable primer.

For interior walls, remove all dust and dirt and make sure the walls are dry. Alkyd/oil-based paint surfaces are painted with sandpaper. How to paint walls without leaving traces by peeling off bad surfaces. Prime with a suitable primer.

Adding a finish coat

You'll need a two-inch angled brush for woodwork to apply paint to your walls, a two-inch trim brush for areas where you need extra control, such as cutting in, and a paint roller with an extension handle for walls and ceilings. Choosing the right application tools and using the right application technique are integral to the outcome of your paint job.