Longtime lurker, need some wall advice

[shamrok]

House is a new build with a 3 car, and I'm super stoked to finally have somewhere for my 3 cars. The garage is insulated and drywalled, but not especially complete. Wondering if it would be worth the money and effort to get the seams cleaned up and paint everything. Primarily concerned with lighting and keeping the dust down. Should I just paint over it all as is or will that just look worse?

Here's how it looks now. Plan to put in 9 or so LED strip lights (great thread in the lighting forum BTW, thanks!).

 

[Garageguy65]

Hi shamrok!!!

Spokane here also

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Congrats on the house and garage.

Prep and paint your walls BEFORE you get stuff in there. It's easier working on the paint without stepping over things or needing to move stuff around.

Get your canvas set, so to speak, so that putting up shelves, benches, and whatever else you need will be set and you don't have to undo things to get to a wall for paint.

 

[James-W]

Welcome to the forum.

I take it that you have drywall up, but the seams are not taped and there is no drywall compound on the seams. You should really do that before you do any painting. To do the taping and mudding and do it quickly requires a skilled hand. But you can do a fairly good job yourself if you take your time. It probably won't be perfect, but it will look pretty decent, certainly better than if you don't tape and mud the seams.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

If the finish of the walls is concerning to you- then have them finished. By your description it sounds like they are just tape&bedded- that meets the fire code for residential.

But having the walls and ceiling painted a white/bright white will drastically improve the lighting situation.

It is a GARAGE! But then there are those that must have a GARAGEMAHAL!

 

[GrayFlattop]

Piling on here...
Yes, finish the taping (DIY or pay someone to finish it) and paint the drywall with several coats of high quality paint NOW. White walls and ceiling will brighten up the space and you will get the most out of any lighting you add.

If you do a careful prep job and use good paint you'll be set for decades. Once you start moving things in - you will find excuses to not paint.

 

[ddawg16]

If you can afford it....pay someone....if not, it's not hard. Just time consuming and messy.

You don't really need the walls to be that perfect....if you are like the rest of us, they will be covered in no time.

Once the walls are done....good coat of primer...then a light colored exterior semi-gloss or high gloss paint.

 

[ddawg16]

Oh...forgot to mention....

If you want to add any outlets.....do it now....it's not a big deal to cut out strips of drywall to run wire.

Make sure you put those outlets at least 54" high....that way you can lean a 4x8 sheet of something against the wall and not block them

 

[gunguy]

A garage is a great place to learn mudding skills if you a mind to. The tools and materials are relatively inexpensive and it makes repairs in the house a lot less intimidating when that time comes. YouTube is your friend. I like the Drywall Dr. as his videos are short and to the point.

If you really want to keep the dust down, seal the concrete floor with a densifier or epoxy. Now is a good time while the floor is clean and clear of stuff. Not only does a sealed floor keep the dust down, but is easier to maintain and spills of oil and most other common automotive fluids clean up in a snap.

if sealing the floor is in your plan, I would do it before mudding and painting just for the ease of cleaning up the inevitable drips, spatters, and oopsies with the mud and paint.

Welcome to the GJ!


Jim

 

[shamrok]

Thanks all. Probably can't get to it this winter before weather sets in, unfortunately. I'll be doing something to the concrete for sure, but still unsure it's worth finishing the walls. Not looking for a garagemahal, just something functional and well-lit.

I've done some drywall work years ago and I hate it. I'd likely pay someone, mostly cuz I just don't have the time (or desire) to do it.

 

[ddawg16]

Post some pics.....maybe you can just paint....then start hanging cabinets

 

[shamrok]

Guess I need a few more posts to post any pictures, but threw some in my GJ album.

 

[ddawg16]

Those pics are good enough

Guess what....you are halfway there. Joints are already taped....you just need a couple more passes of mud. That is a one weekend job. Why a whole weekend? A couple of hours Sat morning doing the mudding....then let it dry all day. Sunday morning, a quick sand.....then your next pass with mud. Because of your temps...it's going to be Monday before you can give it a quick sand.

Quick clean up....then your first coat of primer. Use a heavy nap roller....it will add a slight texture.

Follow up with paint...if it was me....I'd do a bright white on the ceiling....then maybe 2 different colors on the walls...

You have a concrete stem wall....I'd paint that with a dark gray using concrete paint.

Then start planning our your storage. You've got some great space there above the garage doors. They make shelves just for those locations....that could be your seasonal stuff.

Your attic access? You should look into one of those telescoping ladders. If it's not insulated up there, doing so will do wonders for temp control.....even if it is a garage.

 

[ddawg16]

This is how mine turned out.....it will give you an idea of what it looks like to paint the concrete stem wall...

 

[rburke65]

If ya want to make it look d3cent, tape and sand before paint. But th@t# entirely up to you. Unfinished wouldn’t be my cup of tea.

 

[850xpeps]

Finishing that is a 2 day job. It’s quick for someone that’s decent at mud. 2 more coats which could prob be done one day. And then sand the next morning. Done vacuum the mess and your good to go.

 

[shamrok]

Thanks all, think I'll probably just tackle it then. I think it would just bug me otherwise.

 

[Matt M PA]

I'm no good at mud and tape. Not good at all.

My attached garage has a lower ceiling due to the house being a split level. I put slatwall up from the ceiling down...and used some (what I'll call) tile board from the floor up. The tile board goes under the slat wall a bit. It's all pre-finished, the tile board wipes off...and the slat wall allows all kids of storage options. I just installed over the existing sheetrock that wasn't finished.

In my detached, it was covered with SmartPanel. It has a similar look to T1-11 and comes primed. A coat of paint and was done.

Just a couple options that may be helpful...

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Thanks all, think I'll probably just tackle it then. I think it would just bug me otherwise.

Glad you decided to do it. The what you see in there makes a huge difference on the feel of the place. Just a coat of paint can change the mood in there. The lighting too. Those two things make a simple garage nice to work in. I don't have a "garajmahal" as you say, but I'll be danged a coat of paint really makes it look nice. I look at "before" pictures and I'm like "ughh!".