Is painting a garage a good idea? While your garage might not be the most glamorous space in your home, with the right paint products, prep, and painting techniques, it can be a clean, bright, and incredibly functional space. So yes, it absolutely is a good idea if you’re prepared to take the time and invest in the products necessary to do it right.
Whether you’re converting your garage into a workshop, home gym, or just want it to feel less like a dark storage cave, painting the walls is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your space. If you’re ready to DIY your garage painting project, read on for a step-by-step guide to help you do it right!
In This Post
How to Paint Your Garage Walls Step-by-Step
Step 1: Preparation Is Key
Before you even crack open a can of paint, good prep lays the foundation for a long-lasting, professional-looking finish. Prep work is the biggest difference-maker in the painting process.
Here’s a tried and true prep process to ensure your surface is clean and ready for paint:
- Clear and Cover: Move furniture, tools, and shelving out of the way. Cover large items with plastic or drop cloths.
- Clean Thoroughly: Sweep or shop vac large areas of dust, dirt, and debris. Then, use water and dish soap to scrub away dirt, dust, grease, and grime, especially near workbenches or the floor.
- Repair and Seal: Fill in cracks, holes, or damaged areas with a patching compound. If you’re painting a concrete wall, seal seams and use a concrete filler where needed.
- Spot Prime Tough Stains: If you have stubborn grease or water stains that aren’t getting clean with just soap and water, spray the area with a stain-blocking oil-based primer before painting.
Step 2. Choose the Right Paint for Each Surface
If you’re thinking about painting your garage, you may be wondering what kind of paint to use in a garage.
When painting drywall garage walls, follow these guidelines for choosing the right paint product:
- Best Paint Type to Use: Self Priming Interior latex paint.
- Why It’s Recommended: It’s breathable, durable, and easy to clean, which is ideal for garage spaces that aren’t climate-controlled.
- Best Finish: Eggshell or Satin for less sheen and easier cleaning than flat finishes.
- Bonus Tip: If you’re painting cinder block or concrete walls, consider a masonry-specific paint like DryLock, or a water-blocking primer such as Sherwin-Williams Masonry Primer, which is an eggshell finish for masonry or concrete.
If you’re looking for more tips on choosing the best paint for concrete garage floors, we have a dedicated blog post on our website here.
Step 3. Apply the Paint
To apply paint to the walls, use a roller for large areas and a brush for edges, corners, and trim. Take your time to ensure you get the best, most even coverage. For more tips on DIY painting and how to make your paint job look professional, check out this blog post.
Step 4. Don’t Skip the Final Touches
Once you have the second coat of paint on, that doesn’t mean your job is done. The final touches are what will make your finish look professional and last for years to come.
Make sure to apply at least two good even coats of paint instead of one really thick coat. This will ensure you get a durable finish and even coverage without streaks, drips, roller lines, or brush marks.
Allow each coat to dry fully in between. This will ensure you get a smooth surface without and blistering or bubbling due to moisture from the drying paint getting trapped.
Extra Tips for a Flawless Garage Finish
As a professional paint company, we’ve painted many garages and homes in the Raleigh area. Here are some extra tips to consider when DIYing your garage paint job to ensure you get a flawless finish.
Pick the Right Paint Color
Light colors like soft gray, beige, or white help reflect light and make garages feel bigger, brighter, and more open. This is especially helpful in dark garages that can feel like a dungeon. For more paint color inspiration, check out this blog post.
Protect Unpainted Areas
Use masking tape and drop cloths to protect outlets, baseboards, trim, appliances, and other surfaces from paint.
Ventilate Properly
Keep garage doors open and use fans for air circulation when painting.
Transform Your Garage With Oak City Coatings
If you’re ready to transform your garage with paint, just remember this: your choice of paint and how you apply it matters!
With proper prep, breathable latex paint for garage walls, and professional painting techniques, your garage can become one of the most functional and polished spaces in your home.
If you’d rather leave the hard work to the pros, our team at Oak City Coatings would be honored to partner with you.
Visit our contact page to book a free estimate today and learn how we can help bring your garage transformation to life with ease!
