Looking for advice on how to prep before painting to solve my issue

Submitted by antent t3_xwqkge in DIY

Hello I tried googling but it's difficult to phrase correctly to get the answer I'm looking for. I demo'd some bathroom cabinets. I want to repaint the bathroom but I am not sure how to fix the different paint levels to smooth things out before I prime/repaint. Is it as "simple" as taking something like a random orbital sander to smooth the transition between newer (ugly peach) and older (blue)? pics Thanks in advance for any assistance, your time is appreciated!

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**Edit: I got some good advice and should be able to proceed.

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[deleted] t1_ir7yg34 wrote

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antent OP t1_ir7zjdu wrote

It's paint from where the previous owners painted the wall peach while the cabinets were up. The wall may have been painted more than once with the cabinets up. I have no idea. Seems like I need to take a scraper to it then see if i can smooth it out with some spackle/light joint compound (as another response stated) and then see if i can sand to a smooth transition. I appreciate the response!

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TronCarterAA t1_ir7y8jq wrote

That's way too much of a depth difference to just try and blend it together. It would look like shit. You have two options: 1) Fill in the lower area with lightweight joint compound and smooth it out to match the wall or 2) Replace the drywall. I'd just replace the drywall if it's in your budget.

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antent OP t1_ir7zrql wrote

Thank you for the response! Seems like I need to take a scraper to it then see if i can smooth it out with some light joint compound/spackle (as another response stated) and then see if i can sand to a smooth transition. Replacing all the drywall sounds a bit extreme for my skill/budget. So hopefully the other method will work. Thanks again!

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TronCarterAA t1_ir80zti wrote

It's kind of hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like there's a significant difference in depth of about 1/2 an inch. Once you scrape off any excess gunk, you'll basically be doing what's called a skim coat over the lower area. Plenty of videos around to help. Marshalltown makes something called a squeegee trowel that's beginner-friendly and will really help you get an even surface. You'll just have to sand, prime it, re-spackle any bad spots that appear, and prime again before you paint. Use actual primer instead of the primer+paint.

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antent OP t1_ir8396e wrote

for sure not a 1/2". maybe 1/8" at most and that's the highest where the peach paint met where the cabinet used to be. otherwise it's a difference of a cpl coats of paint (obviously not a standardized unit of measurement haha). Appreciate the additional tips! i'll check out that squeegee trowel too.

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ntyperteasy t1_ir885mb wrote

It is very common to run a bead of caulk before painting, so don't think that is all paint - It looks like there is a remaining bead of caulk or something between the blue and the peach. Scrape that off with a razor blade or putty knife. Then a very light skim coat of drywall joint compound (use the powdered "hot mud" type rather than the premix) to fill. It reacts and is more durable in a humid environment. Then sand to blend.

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antent OP t1_ir88geb wrote

it's just a thick layer of latex paint where the peach met the cabinet. i'm not familiar with the powdered joint compound. i'll check it out. Thanks for the tip!

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ntyperteasy t1_ir8o8ec wrote

The powdered compound also stores well, which is great for a DIYer. After a month or two you will find a half-used bucket of premix will be moldy or dried out... yuck...

This sort of thing - the number is how long it takes for initial set up (in minutes). You can get 5, 20, 45, 90. The 5 is really only for very quick small repairs for someone that needs to be in and out of a job quickly. The time varies with temperature and humidity. https://www.homedepot.com/p/USG-Sheetrock-Brand-18-lb-Easy-Sand-90-Lightweight-Setting-Type-Joint-Compound-384211/100321611

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bms42 t1_irbevo2 wrote

Also worth noting that the time is time to recoat, not time to sand. Sanding can be hours or over night still, depending on conditions.

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