How to Paint Drywall in Your Garage

This page is a look at how to paint drywall in your garage. This page is NOT about how to tape and mud drywall.

Once you've finished the tape and mud process to your liking, you're ready to apply the finish. With drywall, you'll be painting two different surfaces. The first is the finished seams and where the nail or screw heads are covered, and the second is the outside paper of your garage drywall. If you choose to paint these surfaces directly, then it may result in what's called joint-banding. This is a word for when the paint doesn't absorb equally on both surfaces. People who know how to paint drywall, know that joint banding can make it look like the two surfaces aren't the same shade.

I directly painted my garage drywall, and yes, I can see a certain degree of joint-banding. In fact, I didn't bother sanding the seams, so I can see where the tape is as well. However, this doesn't bother me one bit. Why? Because it's a garage and it doesn't have to look perfect.

Knowing how to paint drywall isn't much different than knowing how to paint any wall. Choose a quality interior latex satin, and painting drywall in your garage will be quick, but not very difficult. I like to use a quality 4 inch brush to cut out the corners and borders, then just roll the rest with a medium sized roller.

By the time the walls get covered with shelves and other items, the lack of smooth seams and joint-banding aren't really issues. The same holds true for the ceiling. I like to use ceiling storage, which also covers the seams. When it comes to the garage, painting drywall doesn't have to take a lot of time. The overall finish is up to you. If a professional tells you how to do it, then you'll probably be told to use a primer before painting. The primer will bond and seal both surfaces, and you won't get any joint-banding.

You can also texture your garage drywall before you paint it if you want it to look professionally finished, Texturing is definitely a do-it-yourself candidate if you're willing to do a little practice and get a little messy!

If you do decide to texture your garage walls, you'll also want to add a latex emulsion bonding agent to your paint. This will ensure that the paint bonds well to the chalky texture. Texturing options and latex emulsion are available in the paint department at your local hardware store, and the folks there will also help you find the right paint and primer.

In terms of how to paint drywall, there's really not much to it. The amount of prep work depends on you, and how you want your garage walls to look when you're finished. Before you know it, you'll be finished painting your garage drywall, and enjoying the results. So there you have it. Now you know how to paint drywall in your garage the quick way, which is the way I prefer, and the professional way, which will give you the appearance of seamless walls.