painting garage walls

[mike012677]

Hi everyone. I am a new homeowner and plan on painting my garage walls this weekend and was hoping you guys could answer some questions I have. The house is fairly new. It was built in mid 2006 and the garage walls are just drywall. There is no mildew just dust which I will clean off ahead of time. I'm not looking for anything fancy. Just a clean a simple white color throughout the garage. My questions are do I really need to lay a primer down or can I just lay the paint directly on the drywall?

Also, I am understanding that using an exterior paint is the best choice for this task. Is that correct? If so, can someone please recommend which paint will best accomplish what I want to do here?

Sorry is I'm posting this in the wrong place. I'm new to this forum as well.

Thanks in advance
Mike

 

[R1Jester]

Welcome, I just finished painting mine..so I guess I can only tell you what I really did.
Primered everything, to me it's the best way to go about things; it really does help to seal the surface. New drywall ***** up primer so if you use it, make sure you get enough for a good coating. I also used Exterior semi-gloss for the finish coats. Semi-gloss for the reflection of light/easier to wipe clean and exterior for the changing temps and durability to the elements....Chicago winters can be kind of brutal!

 

[fotoflojoe]

What R1Jester said.

Definitely use primer, otherwise the sheetrock will just **** up paint and the mud lines will show through.

 

[Kevin54]

Ditto on the primer. Drywall will **** up a gallon of paint and it won't look much different than what you have now. Primer is not all that expensive and you can even get by with a cheaper primer from WallyWorld if need be. But get some good paint so it will last. In my opinion, for a garage you want an eggshell over flat, but semi-gloss will give you a better job as far as keeping it cleaner. The less glossy it is the more it tends to hold dust and dirt. You really don't need an exterior paint, but exterior would be better suited as it has built in mold and mildew resistance and a garage does see more moisture than inside of a house. By that I mean a typical garage that is used and not the museum quality garages.

 

[helopilot]

Lowes has Bulls Eye primer and sealer on sale for 9.97 a gallon, 5 bucks off regular price.

http://www.lowesforpros.com/pdfs/specialoffers/AprilHandout-ForPros.pdf

 

[chad pickens]

I have a slightly different opinion than alot of people. I do agree with using primer but I like high gloss. I typically use a cabinet or kitchen high gloss ultra white .The gloss surface is alot easier to clean Ive had all sorts of mishaps where different substances got splashed or fell on the wall and it just wipes off.I did my garage with cabinet paint its almost like wiping off your counter top in the kitchen.It is also quite thick and covers very well.

 

[sjsfire]

I have a slightly different opinion than alot of people. I do agree with using primer but I like high gloss. I typically use a cabinet or kitchen high gloss ultra white .The gloss surface is alot easier to clean Ive had all sorts of mishaps where different substances got spashed or fell on the wall and it just wipes off.I did my garage with cabinet paint its almost like wiping off your counter top in the kitchen.It is also quite thick and covers very well.

Your results in a garage with high gloss paint will only be as good as your drywall finish. High gloss will show every hump and bump. I agree it looks great but flat finish is more forgiving if they didn't do a good job with your drywall joints in the garage.

 

[revlover]

Dito with everyone...

I think you know what to do.

Primer...
Semi to high gloss paint...

 

[sizzler90]

Your results in a garage with high gloss paint will only be as good as your drywall finish. High gloss will show every hump and bump. I agree it looks great but flat finish is more forgiving if they didn't do a good job with your drywall joints in the garage.

I guess I don't get it. It's a garage! While I agree and don't want it to look bad withhump and bumps, but I think the high gloss would be better even with imperfections. Mine is a garage and most of the walls are covered with racks tools ladders, ect.... You can't hardly see the taped spots unless you are looking for it. And if your looking for the tape on the walls, then maybe you arn't doing what I do in my garage, which is work on my toys. No time for looking at walls.

 

[Kevin54]

I guess I don't get it. It's a garage! While I agree and don't want it to look bad withhump and bumps, but I think the high gloss would be better even with imperfections. Mine is a garage and most of the walls are covered with racks tools ladders, ect.... You can't hardly see the taped spots unless you are looking for it. And if your looking for the tape on the walls, then maybe you arn't doing what I do in my garage, which is work on my toys. No time for looking at walls.

That stuff on the wall is supposed to be in a shed. No need for ladders in a garage. A garage wall is for shiny paint and road signs and beer signs

 

[chad pickens]

Your results in a garage with high gloss paint will only be as good as your drywall finish. High gloss will show every hump and bump. I agree it looks great but flat finish is more forgiving if they didn't do a good job with your drywall joints in the garage.

That stuff on the wall is supposed to be in a shed. No need for ladders in a garage. A garage wall is for shiny paint and road signs and beer signs

Like I said I have a different opinion .My walls are OSB and I do see all the humps and bumps.But they are clean.I want a nice working environment not a showroom.I painted the luan walls inside of a enclosed car trailer with the same paint and loved it. I have used it ever since

 

[mjcort27]

Mine no primer. I used semi gloss ice rink blue on the ceiling and semi gloss perfectly blue on the walls... using Valspar Exterior Paint from lowes... saved a lot of money and effort.

Turned out great! My buddies are envious.

 

[oldgoat]

I did't use primer on mine and used a semi gloss exterior paint. Yes it still shows the tape marks, but since most of the walls have cabinets, benches and racks on them the only ones showing much is the ceiling and for me I don't look at it very much.

 

[jshillin]

Buy Primer and do it right. It doesn't add much time/money and makes for a better finish product. I just did this to my garage and it turned out great. You can usually get a 5 gallon bucket of new construction primer at Lowes for under $50. If you're going to do something, do it right the first time!!

 

[E46M3]

Mike,
I assume you are interested in spending your time painting the garage because you want the space to look nice when your done, and if you want it to look nice when your done, I would recomend you prime it.
Welcome to GarageJournal, and good luck. Take some pictures for us while your at it...
Cheers,
E46M3

 

[Nicky9]

Why dont those who have posted what they did post up pics for the newbies so the can make the decision based on what others have done?
It would help a lurker like myself... who just s at most of your garages. More pics the better IMO.
Thanks in advance.

 

[chad pickens]

I need to get some new pics since the garage is finished, but I keep telling myself Ill clean up the mess first.That just doesnt seem to happen.Here is an old pic that you can see the walls.

 

[E46M3]

Nicky9,
My garage is not at all typical, but, as requested:

Drywall Taped:

Drywall Primed:

Drywall Painted:

Cheers,
E46M3

 

[Nicky9]

Nicky9,
My garage is not at all typical, but, as requested:

Drywall Taped:

Drywall Primed:

Drywall Painted:

Cheers,
E46M3

Did you use a Flat or egg shell? Looks awesome and clean.

 

[mad57]

ive got a bunch of painter buddys that say if you buy a quality paint like benjamin moore that primer is not needed all of the higher end paints today all have sealer propertys in them. makes sense.. when i built my house in 92 i didnt use primer and i painted using bm paint throught and it looks great and still holds up to my new twin daughters, save your money just put it towards good paint. just my 2 cents.

 

[hidollartoys]

"To Prime OR Not To Prime. That Is The Question."

You can prime or not your choice. The quality of the finished project is more based on your ability to do the actual painting. It is important to get enough paint on the surface. The tendency for most DIYers is to paint to dry and not "roll out" the surface. With most of the higher quality products (price is an object) you will get very good results with two good coats if you choose satin or better gloss. If you are going to go with a flat or eggshell you will need to prime and apply two coats of the finish paint. If you only plan one coat you must go with semi-gloss or gloss with exterior paint the best choice. If you want a very good finish you should prime no matter what. If you are priming "new" drywall you should use PVA primer. @ about $20.00/gal it is reasonable and while it has low hiding charactaristics, it seals the tape joints and provides a good base for any top finish. If you just paint over the bare dry wall the top coat can look great but will not adhere as well as if you prime first. If you choose to prime w/ PVA you should double roll the joints and corners. Short-cuts are short-cuts.

 

[E46M3]

Nicky9 wrote:

Did you use a Flat or egg shell? Looks awesome and clean.

I used an Eggshell finish on the walls, Satin finish on the trim.

E46M3

 

[Joe Reed]

I Just finished doing mine with Valspar Kitchen & Bath paint (I think that's what it was called) from Lowe's.....about $26 per gallon. It's a semigloss that's supposed to be mildew resistant. I used a silver/light gray color (with white semigloss trim) and it looks great. We'll see how it holds up....

 

[dreamingmuscle]

"To Prime OR Not To Prime. That Is The Question."

You can prime or not your choice. The quality of the finished project is more based on your ability to do the actual painting. It is important to get enough paint on the surface. The tendency for most DIYers is to paint to dry and not "roll out" the surface. With most of the higher quality products (price is an object) you will get very good results with two good coats if you choose satin or better gloss. If you are going to go with a flat or eggshell you will need to prime and apply two coats of the finish paint. If you only plan one coat you must go with semi-gloss or gloss with exterior paint the best choice. If you want a very good finish you should prime no matter what. If you are priming "new" drywall you should use PVA primer. @ about $20.00/gal it is reasonable and while it has low hiding charactaristics, it seals the tape joints and provides a good base for any top finish. If you just paint over the bare dry wall the top coat can look great but will not adhere as well as if you prime first. If you choose to prime w/ PVA you should double roll the joints and corners. Short-cuts are short-cuts.

PVA is the best primer for new dry wall around. I would also recommend Kilz stain killer as a primer on drywall as old as yours. Even though it's not that old the paper has soaked up every contaminant it can. Which can bleed through and stain your fresh paint. I'm not sure PVA will stop stain bleed. It might but I'm not sure.


My experience with new drywall is that it takes three coats to cover it correctly the first time around. 1 coat primer 2 coats paint. Or three coats of paint your choice. Either way it's going to take three coats.

One trick I've learned is that primer can be tinted the same color as your finish coat. Knocking a prime and two coat job into a prime and one flat coat paint job. But not with new drywall.
________
Lincoln Continental history

 

[6th Gear]

I used flat white paint and wish I had gone with a semi gloss or eggshell. every thing that I lean against the wall leaves a mark, especially this one push broom with a black handle.. every time the second I let go of it I think DOH, then it hits the wall and leaves a mark. Old habits are hard to break!

 

[zulueta]

I am now excited to pain mine!

Thanks for all informative and good suggestions here.
I think I am ready! by the way? how long it takes for a two car garage to pain?

Thanks again.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

FWIW I used Home Depot's Behr Ultra. It's primer and paint all in one. Works out a little cheaper if you can buy your color inthe 5 gallon buckets. Covers pretty good. I used a power roller and put it on pretty thick over my block walls in my garage. Not quite finished yet. Still have one more wall to paint. But looks good so far.

 

[6bird4]

I am wondering if any one hear has used latex marking paint for handicap stall. I know it is a bit odd but it is 20 bucks a gallon, comes in white, and surly it can take a lot of scrubbing and such.

 

[Joe Reed]

No, but I'll update my post #23 above from almost 6 years ago. The paint has held up extremely well, still looks great. I didn't realize it's been that long!

 

[6bird4]

Joe Reed Thanks for the reply. The paint above is now $35 a gallon so after looking at various options and opinions I went with 5-gal. Eggshell Latex Interior Paint at Home Depot for $107 a five gallon bucket as my budget is slim. I hope it works out good because we all hate to pay for it twice.

 

[HipsterDoofus]

No, but I'll update my post #23 above from almost 6 years ago. The paint has held up extremely well, still looks great. I didn't realize it's been that long!

Hey, Joe - Do you have any pics handy of your garage with that light silver? If so, I'd really like to see them. Sounds pretty cool. Just insulated/drywalled my garage and I'm thinking of going with the same Valspar paint.

 

[chevy2]

Hey, Joe - Do you have any pics handy of your garage with that light silver? If so, I'd really like to see them. Sounds pretty cool. Just insulated/drywalled my garage and I'm thinking of going with the same Valspar paint.

Joe I would like to see this as well.

 

[Joe Reed]

Joe I would like to see this as well.

Here's a couple of pics from 2009...

 

[Joe Reed]

Here's some from today. The paint is still perfect...

I painted my cheapo, homemade cabinets with the same paint. Since the garage is so small, I thought a single, light color was better than using multiple colors or darker colors...

It's Valspar Ultra Premium Kitchen and Bath Enamel....Soft Gloss Base...tinted to a light gray chosen from one of the chips at Home Depot, but I don't recall which color #. I used it because I figured being marketed for kitchen & bath (and mildew resistant) it would be durable enough for a garage. So far, so good