Perfect Recipe for Plastering & Painting Walls

A DIY enthusiast in Auckland preparing a wall with a fresh coat of paint. Proper wall prep is the “secret sauce” for a smooth finish.

Introduction: Prepping Walls – The Key Ingredient in a Great Plastering and Painting Job

Ready to give your room a fresh splash of color? Before you pop open that paint tin, let’s talk prep. Just like a perfect pavlova needs the right prep in the kitchen, a perfect paint job needs careful wall preparation. In Auckland’s DIY-friendly culture, it’s tempting to skip straight to painting (she’ll be right, mate!), but even the keenest Kiwi DIY-er knows that shortcuts now can lead to patchy, peeling paint later. Proper plastering and painting prep might not be as glamorous as picking a Resene paint color, but it’s absolutely essential for a professional-looking finish. In fact, local experts (and anyone offering plastering and painting services) will tell you that up to 80% of a good paint result is in the preparation. The good news? With a bit of guidance (and a dash of Kiwi can-do spirit), you can tackle wall prep yourself and feel confident about it. Let’s dive into this step-by-step guide – with a friendly, slightly cheeky local twist – to get those walls in tip-top shape before you paint.

Step 1: Assess Your Walls (Kiwi DIY Detective Mode)

First up, play detective and assess the condition of your walls. Are you dealing with fresh plasterboard (GIB® board) or previously painted walls? Most Auckland homes use GIB plasterboard for interior walls, which is essentially our local drywall. If it’s a brand-new wall (new GIB or fresh plaster), check that all joints and screw holes have been properly stopped (filled) by the builder or gib-stopper. Ensure there are no loose sections of plaster or wallpaper scraps clinging on. For older, painted walls, look for flaky paint, cracks, dents, or old nail holes from that All Blacks poster you took down. Remove any nails or screws and scrape off peeling paint or wallpaper residue gently. If you spot any signs of damp or mold, address that now – a bit of diluted bleach or mold killer will do the trick (no one wants to paint over mildew). And here’s a local tip: Auckland’s climate can be humid, so also check for any moisture issues. If a wall feels damp from humidity, give it time to dry out. (Pro tip: if your laundry isn’t drying in this weather, neither will your plaster or paint – patience is key.) Finally, if your home is older (pre-1980s), be cautious with sanding old paint in case it contains lead – when in doubt, call in a professional for testing. Overall, this assessment step is about knowing what you’re working with and catching any big issues before you start. It’s like reading a recipe before baking – a quick check now saves trouble later.

Step 2: Clean the Walls – A Fresh Canvas

Now that you know your wall’s condition, it’s time to clean the canvas. Even if the walls look clean, you’d be surprised how much dust and grime can lurk on the surface, especially in kitchens or if you’ve been living with that “open window + construction next door” combo. For new plasterboard walls, ensure they’re absolutely dust-free – builders’ dust is sneaky! Use a vacuum with a brush attachment and/or a damp cloth to wipe away fine dust. (Drywall dust + paint = a muddy mess, so don’t skip this.) If the wall is previously painted, give it a wash down with a gentle cleaning solution. A common choice is warm water with a bit of sugar soap, a cleaning agent that cuts through grease and grime. Wipe the walls with a sponge or cloth to remove any oils (like that invisible kitchen grease or the kids’ sticky fingerprints). Stubborn grime or fly-specks (an Auckland summer special!) can be tackled with a bit of elbow grease and cleaner – just be sure to rinse off any soap residue with clean water afterwards. Let the wall dry completely before moving on. You’ll be left with a wall that’s as fresh and neutral as a blank canvas, ready for the real work to begin.

Step 3: Patch and Plaster – Fill Those Gaps and Holes

Here comes the fun part where you channel your inner plastering pro – but don’t worry, it’s straightforward and even oddly satisfying. Patching holes and plastering small imperfections will make your paint job look 1000% better (scientific figure, of course). Start by filling any small holes, dings, or cracks in the wall. For nail or screw holes and minor dents, grab a ready-mixed wall filler – something like Selleys RapidFilla is DIY-friendly and popular in NZ. Using a putty knife or scraper, smoosh (technical term) the filler into the hole, then scrape off the excess so it’s level with the wall. Got bigger craters from an enthusiastic door handle or an old alarm panel? You might need to apply plaster in layers or even patch with a piece of GIB for holes larger than, say, a 50c coin – but for most first-timer projects, spackle/filler will do the trick. Next, check along corners, skirting, and trim: if you see thin gaps between the woodwork and wall, or cracks where one wall meets another, now’s the time to fix those too. A flexible gap filler (caulking) is your best mate here – Selleys “No More Gaps” is literally named for this job and widely used in NZ. Apply a bead of gap filler into the gap (tip: cut the tube nozzle at a 45° angle for a nice bead), and smooth it out with a wet finger or caulking tool. This will seal those pesky gaps and prevent future cracks or drafty breezes (looking at you, older villas!). Let all these patches dry fully as per the product instructions. This might take a couple of hours to overnight, depending on the filler and Auckland’s humidity. Remember, patience here pays off – resist the urge to sand or paint over wet plaster. Grab a cuppa or take a smoko break while Mother Nature (and chemistry) dry your patches.

Step 4: Sand for a Smooth Finish

Once your filler and plaster patches have dried harder than week-old Weet-Bix, it’s time to sand. Sanding is the step that separates the rookies from the seasoned DIYers – but it’s actually easy and oddly zen. The goal is to get a smooth, flat surface so that once you paint, everything looks flawless (no bumps or bandaid-like patch marks). Start with a medium-fine sandpaper, around 120–180 grit, to knock down the high spots on your filler. Then finish with a finer grit like 220 for a silky result. A sanding block or a hand sander can help keep the pressure even. Focus on the patched areas: you want them flush with the rest of the wall. Run your hand over the patch – if you feel a ridge, sand a bit more. Also lightly sand any glossy areas on the old paint to “key” them (give them a slight roughness) so the new paint will stick well. As you sand, wear a dust mask (and goggles if you’re sanding overhead) – we want you to end up with beautifully painted lungs – just kidding! – keep the dust out of your lungs. It’s also wise to open a window for ventilation or have a fan blowing out, especially since Auckland’s climate means you might be doing this with high humidity, and you don’t want dust clinging to clammy surfaces. After sanding, clean up that dust thoroughly. Get the vacuum and sweep the walls, the floor, your hair… everywhere. Then do a final wipe of the walls with a slightly damp cloth to catch the finest dust particles. It might look like a winter wonderland in your room from all the white dust, but trust me, you don’t want to entomb that dust under your fresh paint. Once done, the walls should feel smooth to the touch and look uniformly dull (no shiny bits of old paint or rough filler edges). Take a moment to admire your now silky smooth walls – you’ve earned it!

Step 5: Prime Time – Sealing the Deal (Don’t Skip This)

By now you might be itching to dip that roller in paint, but hold on – we have one final crucial prep step: priming. Think of primer as the undercoat that helps paint stick better and ensures an even color. It’s like the base layer in a good hangi – absolutely essential for a great result. If your wall was previously painted and in decent shape, you may get away with spot-priming only the patched areas with an all-purpose primer/undercoat. However, any bare plasterboard or large patched areas must be primed or sealed before painting. New GIB plasterboard and fresh plaster repairs are very porous and will suck up paint unevenly if not sealed. In fact, manufacturers specify using a special wallboard sealer on new plasterboard for the best finish. In Kiwi terms: don’t be stingy on this step, or you’ll literally see where you skipped it once the topcoat dries blotchy. Use a quality primer/sealer – common options in NZ include acrylic primers or pigmented sealers. For instance, Resene “Broadwall” sealer or their Sureseal (an oil-based sealer) are made for priming GIB® and fresh plaster. These sealers soak in and create a consistent surface for paint. If you’re unsure, a good interior primer/sealer from any major brand (yes, Dulux or British Paints are okay too) will do the job. Apply primer to the whole wall if you had extensive patches or if you’re going for a major color change. At minimum, spot prime the repaired spots so they don’t flash (show through) the topcoat. Primer is typically white or off-white, which also gives you a neutral base for your new paint color to shine. One coat of primer is usually enough; let it dry completely as per instructions. Because Auckland can be humid, ensure you have some airflow and pick a day that’s not extremely wet – high humidity can extend paint drying times significantly. A fan or dehumidifier can help indoors. Once the primer is dry, your wall will likely look a bit patchy (if you spot-primed) but feel more uniform to the touch. And uniform feel = uniform finish when paint goes on. You’re nearly there!

Step 6: Final Touches Before You Paint

Alright, your walls are patched, smooth, and primed – basically the DIY equivalent of a well-frosted cake ready for decoration. Before you jump in with the topcoat, let’s do a few final prep touches to make the actual painting process go easier. Masking & drop cloths: Use painter’s tape to mask off edges of skirting boards, window and door frames, and power outlets. This will protect them from stray brush or roller marks and give you clean lines. Press the tape down firmly so paint can’t bleed underneath. Cover the floor and any furniture with drop cloths (old sheets, canvas, or plastic). Even the tidiest painters in Auckland will confess to the occasional drip – a drop sheet on the carpet is much easier to wash than white semi-gloss off the rug! Gather your gear: Have your brushes, rollers, paint tray, and of course your chosen paint ready to go. (Side tip: a 50mm cutting-in brush is great for edges, and an extension pole for your roller will save your back when doing ceilings or tall walls.) Stir your paint well, and pour some into a paint pot or tray – you’re about to become one with the roller. Finally, ensure the room is well-ventilated – open windows or use a fan – as this helps paint dry and keeps you from getting a headache from fumes. Now, take a deep breath and a step back. Do a quick visual scan in good lighting (daylight is best) for any imperfections you might have missed. Sometimes a raking light (light held at an angle) will show a missed bump or a cat hair stuck in the primer. If you spot something small, you can still sand it lightly or fill and touch up primer as needed. But if everything looks as smooth as the Tamaki Drive waterfront on a calm morning, you’re ready for the main event: adding color to your beautifully prepped walls!

Conclusion: Ready, Set, Paint! (And When to Call in the Pros)

Congrats – you’ve successfully completed the wall prep marathon with a smile (and only a little bit of plaster in your hair). By following this “perfect recipe” for plastering and painting prep, you’ve set yourself up for a paint job that will make you proud. With clean, patched, sanded, and primed walls, the painting process will be so much easier and the results far more professional-looking. No doubt, your DIY efforts will show when that new paint goes on buttery smooth and looks even from corner to corner. And hey, you’ve earned the right to brag at the next weekend barbie about how you tackled those walls like a pro!

That said, it’s also important to know your limits. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a project can turn pear-shaped – maybe that crack was deeper than you thought, or you’ve uncovered a century-old wall that needs a true expert. Don’t hesitate to call in the professionals if needed. There are excellent local plastering and painting services here in Auckland who can rescue a DIY job or handle the tough stuff (high-stud ceilings, anyone?). Hiring a pro is not a sign of defeat; it’s making sure your home gets the quality finish it deserves. In fact, a combo of your prep work and a pro’s finishing touch can be the ultimate tag-team for a perfect outcome.

In the end, whether you do it all yourself or bring in some help, preparing your walls properly is the key ingredient for painting success. So roll on, get that paint up on the walls, and enjoy the transformation of your space. With the walls prepped and ready, you’re now all set to create the room of your dreams. Happy painting, and remember: a little prep goes a long way – she’ll be right!