Painting tips on a house hack

[Mose Gebremeskel]

We recently just purchased our first property that we will house hack. The other unit - we are looking to rent out has stuff all over the way (I believe kids wrote on the walls and paint). Do I need to clean the wall first before painting? Just trying to do the most cost-effective approach. 

[Derek Brickley]

Hey Mose, I'd say you're better off washing the walls with soap and water and then going with a paint w/ primer.  But following to see what other people have to say.

[Noah Bacon]

Hey Mose! 

Congrats on the recent purchase!

I would grab a few different length extendable paint poles (2-4 foot, 4-8 foot, and even up to 6-12 foot if needed) and a radial sander for the end of the paint poles. You can try and clean the walls as best as you can, but sanding them properly will help your next coat of paint really catch onto the surface and cover up those blemishes from before. If you are going from a darker to lighter color, it may take a second or third coat in the areas that there is writing. 

I've used Wooster for the Extendable Paint Poles and a Hyde Radial Sander for my properties to prep my walls in the past.  

[Travis Timmons]

Just as Derek mentioned, wipe it down with soap and water, I'd even suggest sanding it. If you care to invest in a small, hand held orbital sander (preferably cordless), you'll likely end up using it for future projects. It's one of my favorite and most effective tools. 

Hit the drywall with a 180-220 grit sandpaper. That'll likely get rid of the writing on the wall, smooth out the drywall, and make it more absorbent for paint. You could also just buy some sandpaper. Obviously, wipe down the walls after sanding to get rid of the dust.  Good luck.

[Alejandro B Yoon]

I just had an extremely similar situation with my househack. 

Previous owners rented out to a family with 6 kids. Sharpie and crayon everywhere. As everyone else has said, definitely clean first (light scrub with soap and water and large sponge). 

You don't need to sand, but it will help with adhesion. Definitely sand imperfections and residue that you can't clean off. Clean again to wipe off dust.

I used "Zinsser Cover-Stain" primer; this stuff is thick and smells like battery acid. It will make your walls look like nothing ever happened; It's not the cheapest but I highly recommend. After that paint whatever color you like

The total cost of materials, priming, painting and cleaning the walls my 2400sq ft home was ~$500 dollars and ~10 hours of work by myself. Enjoy that sweat equity!

[Julien Jeannot]

@Mose Gebremeskel

If all you need is cleaning, try out magic erasers.

[Jacob Hornberger]

I agree with sanding some of the worst spots. If you still have some really dark spots on the walls when you're ready for paint, you may try Kilz primer. It may save you from having to do multiple coats of paint to cover it.

[Colleen F.]

@Mose Gebremeskel wash it.  I would also use something to remove the writing if it is really dark. goof off, magic  eraser, spray cleaner acetone. Just depends on what it is. 

[Mose Gebremeskel]

Quote from @Julien Jeannot:

@Mose Gebremeskel

If all you need is cleaning, try out magic erasers.

 Tried them out. Super helpful.

[Mose Gebremeskel]

Quote from @Jacob Hornberger:

I agree with sanding some of the worst spots. If you still have some really dark spots on the walls when you're ready for paint, you may try Kilz primer. It may save you from having to do multiple coats of paint to cover it.

 Ended up using Kilz and it really covered all the bad spots!

[Preston Dean]

Quote from @Mose Gebremeskel:

We recently just purchased our first property that we will house hack. The other unit - we are looking to rent out has stuff all over the way (I believe kids wrote on the walls and paint). Do I need to clean the wall first before painting? Just trying to do the most cost-effective approach. 

 Throw on a coat of KILZ primer and a coat of paint. 

You'd be surprised what a little paint & primer will do to a property. 

very cheap too. only $25 for primer/2 gallons & $25 for paint/gallon. 

so maybe $150 after material + a few hours

[Ben Gammon]

Piling on here. 

TSP wall cleaner in a bucket

wash the walls

if the walls are a semi gloss to gloss then I'd sand them first. 

If not use a paint with primer.

Congrats, which neighborhood is your property?

[Justin Suyama]

As some have suggested, a scrub with soapy warm water might remove some of the ink, making it lighter. The two products I'd recommend would be Zinsser's shellac or any interior oil base. I wouldn't oil base the entire wall, just the areas affected. The Zinsser Shellac would be my first option (alcohol based), and I'd use a chip brush to be able to throw it out afterwards. After it's all dry, a regular painting 1-2 coats should make everything look new.

I probably wouldn't sand as that may affect the texture of the wall. However this is something you can test in a spot less visible if you desire. I however think this is an unnecessary step if you have either of the two aforementioned products. Good luck!

[Mose Gebremeskel]

Quote from @Ben Gammon:

Piling on here. 

TSP wall cleaner in a bucket

wash the walls

if the walls are a semi gloss to gloss then I'd sand them first. 

If not use a paint with primer.

Congrats, which neighborhood is your property?

 In the college hill area!