Flaws are inevitable when you are painting drywall. No matter how good you are, there will always be ridges, pits, or small dents on drywall. Unfortunately, they usually become visible after you lay primer.
If left ignored, these imperfections can look unsightly. And if you are keen on aesthetics, these imperfections must be addressed before proceeding with the top coats.
In today’s article, we will share the best method of fixing drywall imperfections after priming.
How to Fix Drywall Imperfections After Priming?
Step 1: Gather Essential Tools
To pull off this project, you will need some sandpaper. The best sandpaper you should use on drywall should range from 150 to 220 grit. Please avoid using coarse sandpaper as it may damage your drywall instead of fixing imperfections.
You should also get some spackle, a putty knife, rags, and a dust mask.
Step 2: Scrub the Imperfections with a Fine Sandpaper
The best fix for imperfections on drywall is to sand them into a smoother surface. Whether you are dealing with ridges or pits, sandpaper can level them out easily.
Gently sand the imperfections while wearing your dust mask. A drywall can release a lot of dust during sanding. So, you need to protect yourself.
Sand until the surface is smooth. You can wipe the surface with a rag to confirm whether the imperfections have been removed.
Step 3: Remove Loose Primer with a Putty Knife
After sanding drywall, you may notice loose pieces of primer on the areas you were working on. These shouldn’t be left that way because they will be visible after being painted on.
Grab a putty knife and attempt to remove as much loose primer as possible. Do not dig much deeper into the imperfections, as that may damage the drywall. Clean it one more time using the dry rag.
Step 4: Fill the Imperfections with Spackle
Even though you can use many types of fillers, spackle is the best solution for sealing imperfections on drywall.
Therefore, using a spackling paste of your choice, apply some to the imperfection with the help of a putty knife. Get enough spackle into that imperfection and level it using the edge of the putty knife.
Repeat the above process for all imperfections on your drywall. Spackle dries within an hour or two. That will depend on the current conditions. However, it’s best to leave it for a day so that it can fully cure.
Step 5: Clean the Drywall with a Damp Cloth
When applying spackle paste, it may spill on other parts of the drywall. Therefore, you should clean off any excess spackle with a damp cloth.
Step 6: Check If the Imperfections Have Disappeared
Depending on how well you applied the spackle, you can eliminate imperfections on drywall during the first round. However, if they are still available, you can repeat steps 4 and 5.
Ideally, the spackles should be on the same level as the drywall. It shouldn’t be deeper or protruding. If it’s protruding, you don’t have to apply more spackle. You can sand the excess.
You can proceed to the next step after confirming that the imperfections have disappeared.
Step 7: Apply Primer and Paint
It can be tempting to apply paint directly. After all, the drywall already had some primer.
But you must remember that when fixing the imperfections, you sanded and removed some of the primer. Therefore, certain spots may not have primer on the surface, which can lead to paint adhesion problems.
Therefore, apply a fresh coat of primer and spray or brush two more coats of paint. And that’s it. Your drywall will be free of imperfections.
Is It Okay to Repair Imperfections on drywall after Priming?
It’s completely normal for you to repair imperfections on drywall after priming. It happens to everyone, even the most experienced contractors. The thing about drywall flaws is that they can easily remain hidden and appear after you have just laid primer.
Therefore, you need not beat yourself up for not seeing these imperfections before you applied the primer. Should you find yourself in such a situation, follow the guide shared above.
Also, if you have only seen these imperfections during your first coat of paint. You can sand the affected areas, spot-prime the patches, and then paint the extra top coats.
How Can You Spot Imperfections on Drywall after Priming?
Drywall is a pretty interesting material. It can easily conceal flaws until you are done painting it. Therefore, it’s good practice to check for flaws once you are done priming. There are several ways you can do this.
First, you can move a meter away from the drywall and look for ridges or pits. Alternatively, you can pass your hand across the drywall and feel if there are any imperfections.
A pro tip I have found quite useful over the years is shining a bright light from a certain angle. This usually reveals areas that are a bit flawed.
Can Primer Hide Imperfections on Drywall?
Primer has two primary uses. One, it prepares the drywall for the upcoming process, which is painting. Two, it promotes the adhesion of paint to drywall. Primer is not used to hide imperfections on drywall.
Therefore, if you have noticed a couple of flaws, you must fix them before painting the surface. Even if you apply the primer in thicker amounts, it will not hide imperfections on the surface.
Why Do People Sand Drywall after Applying Primer?
There are two reasons why many contractors do this. The first is to remove imperfections, as we have discussed earlier. However, if there are no flaws on the drywall, do you still have to sand it?
Well, that depends on how you paint drywall. Some people believe sanding drywall with primer creates a surface for the paint to hold on to.
But that’s usually unnecessary because primers are designed to promote paint adhesion to drywall. Sanding drywall after applying primer is only necessary if there are flaws.
Another valid reason you may sand drywall after applying primer is if debris or dust may have ended up in the finish.
If you have not cleaned the drywall, you may notice debris on the primer. Sanding can help get rid of this debris so that you can achieve a smooth finish.
Can You Hide Imperfections on Drywall with Mud?
Mud, also known as joint compound, can also be used to hide imperfections on drywall after priming. However, many professional contractors prefer spackle because it is thicker and has a much better consistency than mud.
If you have some mud in your store, you can use that as well. But if you have none, I would highly recommend spackle.
If you decide to use mud, you can follow the above procedure. But make sure that you purchase mud that is easy to sand. Otherwise, you will end up using a lot of elbow grease.
Is There a Primer that Can Hide Imperfections on Drywall?
Some primer manufacturers claim that their products can conceal imperfections on drywall. However, this is usually a marketing gimmick. Primers cannot conceal imperfections unless they are tiny.
If there are major holes in your drywall, do not expect them to disappear after applying drywall. Use the method we have shared with you above.
