Tips for painting over dark colours

Any tips for painting over dark walls with a light colour? The last time I tried this it took loads of paint coats.

Asked by Greg on 8th Mar 2023
Expert Trade Answers
"Painting over dark walls with a light color can be a bit challenging, as it often requires several coats of paint to achieve good coverage. Here are some tips to help you achieve better results and save time and paint:

Prime the walls: Before painting, apply a coat of primer to the walls. A good quality primer will help the paint adhere better, cover the dark color, and reduce the number of coats needed.

Choose high-quality paint: Use a high-quality paint that is specifically designed to cover dark colors. These types of paint usually have better coverage and require fewer coats.

Use a tinted primer: If you're painting over a really dark color, consider using a tinted primer that matches your new paint color. This will help to neutralize the dark color and reduce the number of coats of paint needed.

Paint in thin coats: Rather than trying to cover the dark color in one or two thick coats of paint, apply several thin coats. This will help the paint dry faster and reduce the likelihood of drips or uneven coverage.

Allow each coat to dry completely: Make sure to let each coat of paint dry completely before applying the next one. This will ensure that the paint has good adhesion and that the final result is smooth and even.

Consider hiring a professional: If you're still struggling to get good coverage, consider hiring a professional painter. They have the experience and expertise to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

By following these tips, you should be able to achieve better coverage when painting over dark walls with a light color."
Answered on 11th Mar 2023 - Member since Sep 2022 - report
"Use a white matt emulsion watered down for the first coat then add desired colours, the white will give you that fighting chance."
Answered on 14th Mar 2023 - Member since Feb 2023 - report
"A tip is learn from your mistakes. Hire someone who knows what there doing"
Answered on 14th Mar 2023 - Member since Mar 2023 - report
"Go for white first and then 2 layers of your new colour."
Answered on 9th Mar 2023 - Member since Feb 2023 - report
"You will find most good quality paint will cover well if you are worried for what ever reason you can alway base your wall out in white

Although some colours go over bark colours better if your using green/red some blue"
Answered on 10th Mar 2023 - Member since Nov 2021 - report
"2 coats with supermatt emultion to cover the black colour"
Answered on 8th Mar 2023 - Member since Mar 2022 - report
"Buy from screwfix trade bare plaster paint brilliant white then u do with your color"
Answered on 8th Mar 2023 - Member since Sep 2020 - report
"Usually it will take 2-3 coats, or you could use a primer before painting"
Answered on 10th Mar 2023 - Member since Oct 2022 - report
"Tips for painting over dark walls with a light colour to avoid using a lot of paint is by using a white wall primer, this will help to ensure that your color comes out true when dry."
Answered on 14th Mar 2023 - Member since Jan 2022 - report
"Paint it with a white before printing your colour and give it two coats."
Answered on 8th Mar 2023 - Member since Oct 2020 - report
"Use any Trade paint not super market 2 coats 1st watered-down sand wall's beforehand then 2nd coat fully leave to dry fully each coat"
Answered on 8th Mar 2023 - Member since Sep 2022 - report
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