Painting your home can be a great way to give it a fresh new look. However, painting uneven walls can be tricky. Choosing the right paint can make all the difference in achieving a smooth and consistent finish.
A high-build water-based paint is usually the best choice when painting over uneven walls. This paint helps fill in and level any rough patches on the walls. For a truly smooth finish, use a high-quality primer. A water-based primer helps to seal porous surfaces and creates an even base for your paint job.
In this article, you will learn:
- The 5 factors to consider when choosing paint for uneven walls
- What type of paint to use
- What finish is best
- My top picks for the best paint and primer for uneven walls
The 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint for Uneven Walls
1. Wall Texture
The texture of your uneven walls is an important factor to consider when choosing paint. The texture can affect how paint adheres to the surface and how it looks once dried.
If your walls have a lot of bumps and ridges, you may want to choose a thicker paint with a higher viscosity, as this will help it fill in the gaps and give you a smoother finish.
2. Use Paint with High Solids Content
One of the benefits of using paint with high solids content is that it generally dries thicker and is more durable. Such paint options have a higher pigment concentration, making them ideal for walls with irregular surfaces.
Generally, paints labeled as “high-build” or “textured” usually have high solids content, which makes them the perfect choice for uneven walls.
3. Opt for Matte or Flat Paints
Matte or flat paints are excellent choices for uneven walls. This is because they don’t reflect light as much as other paints, which gives the wall a smoother finish and conceals any surface imperfections. These types of paint are also easier to touch up when needed, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
4. Wall Condition
Before you start painting, it’s important to assess the condition of your walls. If they have cracks, holes, or other imperfections, you must prep the surface before applying paint.
Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to use spackling paste or putty to fill in the gaps or sand the walls before painting.
5. Use a Primer
Using a primer before you paint can help create an even finish and make your paint job look more professional. Primers are designed to fill in the gaps and imperfections on uneven walls, so they’re a great way to get the job done quickly and easily.
They also provide extra protection from humidity and temperature changes, which can cause your paint to chip or peel over time.
What Type of Paint Is Best?
Water-Based Paint
Water-based paint is a type of paint that uses water instead of oil to carry the pigment and binders. It has several advantages and disadvantages when it comes to painting uneven walls.
Pros
- Low VOCs, meaning fewer fumes
- Easier to clean up with water than solvent-based paints
- Can be used on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, and masonry
- Dries quickly and can be applied in multiple coats for better coverage
- More environmentally friendly than solvent-based paints
Cons
- Not as durable as solvent-based paints
- May require more coats for complete coverage on uneven surfaces
Elastometric Paint
Elastomeric paint is a high-build, flexible, water-resistant coating made from acrylic or polyurethane resins. It is primarily used for exterior surfaces due to its durability and weatherproofing properties.
Pros
- Can bridge small gaps and cracks, helping to even out imperfections on the wall
- Excellent waterproofing capabilities
- Expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations
- Long-lasting and resistant to harsh weather conditions
Cons
- May be challenging to apply evenly and requires multiple coats for full coverage
- Primarily designed for exterior surfaces and may not be suitable for interior walls
- Tends to be more expensive
What Paint Finish Is Best?
When painting uneven walls, choosing the right paint finish can make all the difference in the final result. A flat finish is the best option for uneven walls because it hides imperfections and creates a smooth, seamless appearance.
Flat finishes have no sheen. They are great for walls with uneven surfaces because they absorb light instead of reflecting it like glossy finishes. This means that any bumps or imperfections will not be highlighted by light reflecting off of them.
Another benefit of using a flat finish on uneven walls is that it is easy to touch up. Because it absorbs light, any patches or touch-ups will blend seamlessly with the surrounding paint. Glossy finishes, on the other hand, can be more challenging to touch up because they reflect light differently.
The Best Paint and Primer for Uneven Walls
Best Paint
If you’re looking for the best paint for painting uneven walls, look no further than Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior High Build in flat. This high-quality paint is specifically designed to offer an ultra-smooth finish, even on surfaces with imperfections and small cracks.
One of the standout features of this paint is its sag-resistant formula, which allows for the application of a thicker coating across various substrates.
This means that even on uneven walls, you can achieve a smooth, high-build finish with less drag. In addition, the flexible high-build formula can bridge small cracks and surface imperfections, ensuring a more uniform final product.
The breathable film of Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior High Build also makes it an excellent choice. By allowing internal moisture to escape, this paint minimizes the potential for blistering and peeling, a common problem in more humid environments. And, of course, the paint offers protection against harsh weather conditions, including wind-driven rain.
For those looking to paint in colder temperatures, this paint also has you covered. With the ability to be applied in temperatures as low as 35°F (2°C), it extends the painting season and allows you to tackle your outdoor projects even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Finally, the mildew-resistant coating of Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior High Build ensures that your painted surfaces look great for years to come.
And with a flat finish that hides imperfections and delivers an ultra-smooth appearance, you can be confident that your uneven walls will look their best with this top-of-the-line paint.
Best Primer
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Stain Blocking Primer/Sealer is the ultimate solution for priming uneven walls before painting.
Its water-based formula seals the surface uniformly. This primer will stick to virtually any surface, including drywall, concrete, wood, masonry, metal, and even glossy or difficult surfaces.
The quick-drying formula dries to the touch in just 35 minutes and is ready for topcoat application in one hour. With an impressive coverage rate of 85-110 sq. ft. per quart (8-10m² per liter), this primer can quickly cover large areas, saving time and money.
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Based Stain Blocking Primer/Sealer is efficient and provides excellent stain-blocking resistance. It can be used with any oil or latex topcoat, making it versatile and adaptable to meet different needs.