Painting - Bathroom walls and ceilings

I have read posts after posts about painting bathroom walls and ceilings. I don't know which advice to take. Some said to sand first then prime, whereas, other said to just prime. I don't know what's best.

Here is my situation. I stripped off all the wallpaper on my bathroom walls and scraped off the paste with a scrubby pad and water. It appears to be pretty clean. I read that I should use an oil based primer because even a little bit of adhesive will cause problems when I paint. Is Zinsser 123 oil based? Can I bypass the sanding?

Or, do I need to sand lightly first then use Zinsser 123? I spackled some areas and covered up holes so I know that I have to sand those areas before priming.

Now, the ceilings. My bathroom ceilings are pretty good with the exception of a small hole that I had to cover because of the installation of a vent. I know I have to sand that area, but what about the rest of the ceiling? Do I lightly sand, or can I just Zinsser 123?

If I have to sand, what is the best grit?

Thanks for the help!
Nadine

Hi Nadine...

good rule of thumb to follow- if it's bumpy, sand it, then wipe with a clean cloth.

Always prime when in doubt! It may, in some cases, be an extra step that could have been skipped, but better safe than sorry! The way to tell if all the glue is off the wall is by running your hand across the area in question...if you hit a slick spot, wash it again!

Remember, you can put a latex paint over an oilbased primer, and oil based paint over a latex primer, and you can put an oil based paint over a latex paint, but you cannot put a latex paint over an oil-based paint. (Man, that got longer than I had planned!)

When in doubt go with an oil-based primer, which is stinky and messy to clean up, but will work no matter what your situation!

Zinsser 123 is great stuff-we use the water based version from Home Depot. ALWAYS read the label...if it cleans up with water, it's latex, if you must use mineral spirits/paint thinner to clean up with, then it's oil based.

Fine to medium grit sand paper is best for fine tuning those wall repairs. Just get a "sanding pad" -it'll do the trick!

Don't skip the sanding over the repairs, but as far as sanding the whole wall or ceiling before you paint...well, if it's oil based paint you are going over it certainly wouldn't hurt.

You can tell the difference between oil based paint and latex paint by putting denatured alchohol on a cloth and rubbing the area in question. If it comes off the it's latex, if it doesn't, it's oil.

It's better to do it right the first time, than to do it over again!

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OK The short Idiot-Proof version: Sand the walls with a medium grit sanding pad. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust. Prime with oil-based primer. Paint with 2 coats of latex paint. Goodnight! LOL! Good luck!

Hi MrsFauxster,

Thank you for the in depth reply and answer to my questions. I owe the future success of my project to your generous reply! I loved the short idiot-proof version. It was short and to the point! Now, I can go to sleep!!

Nadine

OK The short Idiot-Proof version: Sand the walls with a medium grit sanding pad. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust. Prime with oil-based primer. Paint with 2 coats of latex paint. Goodnight! LOL! Good luck!
Yep, what she said.

Zinsser 123 is NOT oil based.

I wanted an oil based primer, and seeing Zinsser 123 is not oil based, I bought Zinsser Cover Stain which is oil based. Before I open it, is that ok as a primer for my bathroom walls and ceilings?

Thanks for the help!
Nadine

Yep, that should work fine.

Its marketed more as an economical exterior wood primer but it should work ok/If your drywall is clean like you mentioned you can use a latex primer or the 123 if you wish.