How Long Should We Wait Before Painting After New Drywall & Plaster Are Installed

Q: We are putting up new drywall and after taping and sanding how long should we leave it before painting and how do we prepare the drywall properly for the paint?

Stella

A: After drywall has been installed wipe the entire face down with a damp sponge, this will remove the talc that is put between the sheets of drywall so that the paper does not roll when splitting the sheets apart. Drywall taping compound must be left to cure a minimum of 12 hours before sanding. For outside and inside corners use paper with metal beads, such as softline beads made by CSR Synko.

Preparing for paint is a very important step and depending on the relative humidity in the home i.e.; during the winter months it could take up to a week for the drywall joint compound to properly cure. In the summer months with windows open it will dry much quicker. For best results let joints cure for one week and then use latex interior primer sealer. This allows the joints to cure through the primer.

Now you are ready to apply a quality interior acrylic latex paint to the walls. Consider using an environmentally friendly low odour and low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint such as Cloverdale Paint’s Horizon.