How to apply plasterboard primer

Before you set about painting your plasterboard, we highly recommend prepping the surface with a primer. Often overlooked or skipped, priming is an essential step. By priming your surface, you will help the paint to adhere better and last longer. As primers are pigmented to provide some coverage they also help to mask the difference in colour between the jointing tape and the plasterboard. When it comes to picking a primer, choose a water-based solution: these products dry quickly and are odour-free and very easy to clean. Choose either a special plasterboard primer or a universal primer.

It's always a good idea to apply an primer but it's even better to do so on a well-prepared surface. That means filling in any holes and smoothing out any unevenness. For a perfect finish, a light sanding will be required; brush your hand over the wall as you work to identify any lumps and bumps.

Required skills 

As long as you're able to use a roller but there's nothing too tricky about applying a primer! If you tend to get a bit wobbly reaching up to the ceiling on a ladder, invest in extendible pole for your roller. Your feet will stay firmly on the ground while the brush or roller does all the work for you!

Time required 

About 1 day for a whole room (walls and ceiling), including drying time.

Number of people required 

1 or 2 people

Steps

1. Preparing your workspace

2. Applying the primer

3. Finishing touches and cleaning up

Tools and equipment

• Paint scraper

• Protective sheets

• Masking tape

• 10 to 12 mm pile roller

• Edging paint brush (with a rounded tip)

• Bucket or paint tray and grid

• Sponge

• Mixing paddle

• Before starting, remove all the furniture from the room. Larger items can be moved to the centre of the room and covered with a sheet.

• Protect your floor using painting sheets held in place along the skirting boards with masking tape.

• Apply masking tape along all skirting boards, doors and windows.

• If you plan on repainting the ceiling, start by doing so – you should always paint from top to bottom.

• Prepare all your equipment. You may have to clean your roller to remove any loose fibres. It is important to dry your roller properly afterwards. Another technique involves passing the roller over some tape.

• Open your primer and mix well with a mixer paddle or stick right down to the bottom of the pot. Remember: the pigments are the heaviest part of the paint and often settle at the bottom of the can. A good mix will therefore help to distribute them evenly throughout the paint.

• Cover up all plug sockets.

• Remove or cover up curtain poles.

• Start by using your edging brush to tackle any corners, the areas surrounding plug sockets and any other spot that would be hard to reach with a roller. Do not apply too much paint and don't cover too wide an area or your paint strokes may be visible.

• Apply your primer working from top to bottom. If you're left-handed, start on the left; if you're right-handed, do the opposite!

• Don't try to stretch your primer too far; you need to find the right balance between a layer that is thick enough to cover the wall but not too thick so to avoid dripping.

• If you have to take a break, don't wash your roller. Instead you can place it in a tightly sealed plastic bag or cover it in cling film to stop the paint drying.

• Once you've finished painting, remove all masking tape before the primer dries. If you forget to remove the tape while the paint is wet, use a utility blade to cut the between the tape and the painted surface to prevent cracking.

• Wash your tools, removing any excess paint from your roller using a paint scraper. Remember: if you clean your tools properly, you will be able to use them again!