Painting a wall: the professional streak-free method

A well-painted wall, without streaks or runs, gives the impression of professional work. Success depends less on the quality of the gesture than on the preparation. Here is the complete method for a clean result first time.

Preparation: 80% of the result

• Clean the wall: dust and degrease with a damp sponge
• Fill the holes and cracks with a smoothing filler
• Slightly sand the repaired areas (120 grit)
• Protect the floors with a drop cloth and the skirting boards with masking tape
• Remove the covers of the sockets and switches

The primer, indispensable

The primer evens out the surface, masks stains and old colours, and makes the finishing paint adhere. On a dark or stained wall, it is mandatory. On a light, already painted wall, a single coat of primer is enough.

Choosing the right roller

For a wall, a wool (or microfibre) roller of 20 to 25 cm with an 18 mm sleeve is ideal. Short-pile rollers give a smooth finish, long-pile (sponge) ones give a textured effect. Do not forget the cutting-in brush for the corners and edges.

The W technique

This is THE technique that avoids streaks:

1. Dip the roller then drain it on the tray's grid
2. Apply the paint forming a large W on the surface
3. Go over it horizontally on top to even it out
4. Work in zones of 1 m² at a time, continuously (never a dried edge)
5. Cross the passes: vertical then horizontal

How many coats?

Always allow 2 coats of finishing paint, even if the first seems to cover. The second coat evens out the colour and guarantees a regular finish. Respect the drying time between coats (generally 2 to 6 hours).

The classic mistakes

• Painting on a dirty or greasy wall (the paint does not hold)
• Skipping the primer on a dark wall
• Roller too dry or too loaded
• Stopping in the middle of a zone (touch-up mark)
• Painting in the evening light (you cannot see the defects)

With this method, your wall will be clean, uniform and durable. Take the time on the preparation: it is what makes all the difference between a decent wall and an impeccable one.