Homeowners often struggle when painting over dark walls with lighter shades — the dark colors often show through, the new paint sometimes has uneven coverage, and it may seem like you need endless coats to achieve a nice finish.
Proper preparation, primer, paint selection, and application techniques are crucial for producing a consistent, long-lasting finish. If you’re frustrated with painting over a dark color, keep reading to learn some expert tips and tricks to make the process easier and when to consider professional painting services.
Start With Proper Wall Preparation
No matter what color your walls currently are, the first step in the painting process is to properly prepare them. Clean them thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, grease, or other contaminants. If there are nail holes, cracks, or dents, be sure to repair them before painting. Sand down any glossy areas so the primer and paint can properly adhere, and if the existing paint is peeling or damaged, sand that down, too. Careful preparation may take extra time, but it’s key to achieving a smooth finish.
Use a High-Quality Primer
Primer is a good idea for most projects, but it’s especially important when covering a dark color. Applied evenly, it creates a more uniform base for the new paint color and improves coverage. You may want to consider tinting your primer to a color closer to the new wall color and opting for a high-hide primer for even better coverage.
Choose the Right Paint
With paint products, you get what you pay for. Investing in high-quality paint generally provides better coverage than going with an inexpensive alternative. This means you won’t have to use as many coats, saving significant time and energy (especially if you’re going from a dark color to a lighter color). Plus, even if the paint is more expensive, if you need fewer coats, that means you have to buy less of it, potentially saving you money.
Apply Paint in Thin, Even Coats
When you’re going from a dark color to a lighter color, coverage is key. However, applying one extremely thick coat of paint isn’t the best solution — it can be difficult to get an even thickness and texture. It’s best to apply thin, even coats with consistent roller pressure and overlapping strokes until your desired coverage is reached.
Allow each coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before applying another. Don’t judge coverage before the paint has fully dried — give it some time to dry before inspecting the wall to determine whether another coat is necessary.
Pay Attention to Edges and Problem Areas
Pay close attention to edges and problem areas. Corners, trim edges, patched areas, and areas around outlets can show dark colors more easily because people often overlook them and don’t take the time to use proper cutting-in techniques.
If you performed repairs on the wall prior to painting, watch for differences in texture between these areas and the surrounding wall. If needed, sand them down so the surface is smooth and uniform — otherwise, these areas may show through the paint. You should also apply primer to the patched areas to prevent uneven paint absorption.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As you paint over a dark-colored wall, avoid making these common mistakes:
- Painting directly over the old paint without primer
- Using low-quality paint in an attempt to save money
- Applying paint too thickly
- Skipping surface repairs when needed
- Applying another coat before the previous one has dried
- Assuming one coat will always provide complete coverage
- Failing to use enough paint or applying it inconsistently
When to Consider Professional Painting
While you can buy your own paint and rollers at the hardware store and do it yourself, it’s a good idea to work with professionals when covering a dark color with a lighter shade. Professional painters like the team at Brush Brothers can assess the existing surface, select the appropriate primer and paint, prepare the surface, properly apply the paint, and ensure a perfect finish. Working with our team can help you avoid uneven coverage and wasted materials.
Effectively Covering Dark Colors with Brush Brothers Painting
At Brush Brothers Painting, we specialize in helping homeowners transform their homes with the power of paint. If you’re hoping to cover a dark wall with a lighter color, trust our team to ensure proper preparation, quality primer and paint, and careful application. No matter how dramatic the change, we’ll get the job done right. Contact us today to get started on your next project!
