Prep, fill and paint your walls like a pro

Prep, fill and paint your walls like a pro

Few things satisfy quite like transforming your home with your own hands, especially when all that’s needed is a weekend, the right products and a little know-how. This step-by-step guide to cleaning, prepping and painting your walls is everything a DIY homeowner needs for a beautiful finish.

Step 1: Clean | Start with a fresh slate

The secret to paint that lasts is in the preparation. Before anything else, walls need to be thoroughly cleaned – skipping this step is the single most common DIY mistake, and one that Plascon Sugarsoap Powder makes entirely avoidable. Dissolved in water and applied with a sponge or cloth, it cuts through years of built-up grease, grime and household residue that would otherwise prevent paint from bonding properly to the surface.

PRO TIP: Wipe down the walls from top to bottom and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow the surface to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Fill  | Banish cracks and imperfections

Even the most beautiful paint colour can’t disguise a cracked or pitted wall, and this is where Plascon’s Polycell Polyfilla does its essential work. Available in two formulations, for inside walls and outdoor surfaces, this product fills cracks, holes and surface imperfections to give you the seamless, smooth finish that makes a paint job look truly professional. Apply with a filling knife, feathering the edges outward for a flush result. Once dry, sand the filled areas lightly with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth and flush with the surrounding wall surface.

PRO TIP: Always let the Polyfilla dry completely before sanding. Rushing this step leaves uneven patches that show through your final coat.

Step 3: Prep | Lay the right foundation

Once your walls are clean and dry, it’s time to create a smooth, stable foundation that will ensure your topcoat applies beautifully and adheres for years to come. This is where a primer comes in, and the choice depends on the surface condition.

Plascon Prime All Gypsum & Plaster Primer is a water-based primer specifically designed for new plaster and gypsum surfaces. It dries quickly and seals porous walls evenly.

For previously painted walls, use Plascon Multi-Surface Primer for excellent adhesion on sound, painted surfaces, or True Colour 3-in-1 Primer Sealer Undercoat for sealing porous or chalky walls. For changing from enamel to water-based paint, use Plascon Universal Undercoat.

PRO TIP: Apply the primer in long, even strokes and allow it to dry fully before painting. One coat is usually sufficient on well-prepared surfaces.

Step 4: Paint | The moment that makes it all worth it

Now for the transformation. Plascon Polvin is a high-quality wall paint available for both interior and exterior surfaces that delivers far beyond its price point. Its velvety matt finish is precisely what modern design favours right now: no shine, no glare, just a soft, light-absorbing surface that makes colour sing. Whether you’re choosing a warm neutral or a bolder statement shade, the finish gives it depth and sophistication.

What makes Plascon Polvin genuinely remarkable is its 10-year guarantee. That’s not just a selling point, it’s a promise that your investment will last. When you calculate the cost per year of a wall that will look fresh and beautiful for a decade, the value becomes impossible to argue with.

PRO TIP: For the most budget-friendly result, choose lighter pastel tones when tinting, as these require less pigment and cost less per litre than deep or bright colours.

Three palettes to try in Plascon Polvin

Here are three gorgeous colour combinations from Plascon’s 2026 Colour Forecast to kickstart inspiration.

Julia (Y3-A2-2) from the Butter + Sky colour world and Daily Lily Dream (O2-A1-1) from the Land + Sea colour world lend a soft warmth, making any room feel instantly sunnier and more welcoming.

Bashful Blue (B3-C1-4) from Land + Sea and Athena’s Dream (B4-A2-1) from Butter + Sky are soft, airy blues that bring a sense of coastal quiet and openness to bedrooms and bathrooms alike.

Sparkling Lemon Lime (Y6-A1-1) from Land + Sea and White Maas (Y2-A2-2) from the Fashion + Candy colour world are fresh, organic tones that pair effortlessly with natural wood and woven textures for a grounded, contemporary feel.

A beautiful home doesn’t necessarily require a generous budget and a professional contractor; all it needs are the right products, a little patience and the confidence to pick up the brush. With Plascon’s easy guide, the results will speak for themselves.

Discover more DIY tips at plascon.co.za.