How to Prepare Walls to Paint Wallpaper Paste
- 1). Run your hands across each wall to feel for bumps or rough spots. Use the 100-grit sandpaper to sand the imperfections smooth and level with the surrounding wall area.
- 2). Fill one 5-gallon bucket with warm water and add several drops of mild detergent. Fill the second 5-gallon bucket with warm rinse water.
- 3). Wash one wall at a time with a sponge to remove dust, grime or grease. Rinse each wall thoroughly after you wash it with the detergent. Allow the walls to dry completely before you repair them.
- 4). Fill all nail holes with spackle. Scoop a small amount of spackle onto the end of a putty knife and smooth it over a nail hole. You only need enough spackle to fill the hole. A heavy application will create more sanding for you. Repeat this step for each nail hole. Allow the spackle to dry according to the manufacturer's directions
- 5). Lightly sand each nail hole repair with 100-grit drywall sandpaper. Sand the repaired areas smooth and level with the surrounding wall area. Apply more Spackle to any nail holes where the Spackle has sunk in after the first application. Large nail holes often need a second application of Spackle. Allow the repairs to dry and sand again.
- 6). Wipe off the sanding dust from the nail hole repairs with a damp rag or sponge. Check one more time for areas you may have missed, make the repairs, and prepare to paste the walls.
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