How to Paint Over Dark Colors

Sometimes a dark color choices can come back to haunt you. Pretty often, it’s recommended to keep a dark scheme on that wall. You are not without hope though. With a couple extra steps, you can get a great outcome with a lighter color. Here is how to paint over dark colors.

Prepare

As with any painting project, take stock in your walls. Take time to fill holes or sand imperfections. The smoother your walls are before you start, the better the paint job will be at the end.

Remove any fixtures from the walls. If you choose, tape around light switches, window frames, doorways and other areas you don’t want painted.

Prime

Priming the walls will make all the difference in changing the color of paint. When shopping, choose a white primer. Not just an average primer, it needs to dry white. A dark base primer will make the new color show up muddy and muted. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how long between coats, and how many coats to apply.

Paint

Cut in with your paint color. Paint the majority of the walls in wide W or M shaped strokes. This will help you achieve full coverage and avoid delays. Let the color dry and start the process again. You may need to apply two or three coats to get the desired color.

Survey

Use a bright light in different areas of the room to make sure there are not areas where the primer is showing through. Now is the time for touch ups, before replacing fixtures and furniture. It’s better to correct the issue before you put away your tools.

If you are tackling a dark wall and want the help of our experts, contact us now. We offer free, in-home estimates on all painting projects. We’ll worry about your dark colors for you.