Mudding drywall is an essential step in the painting process, as it helps to fill in any imperfections and create a smooth surface.
However, you may be able to get away with painting drywall without mudding if the walls are already in good condition and it’s in a space where you don’t mind not having smooth walls.
You should also check with your insurance company to see if they have any requirements for this since your drywall is made of a material that is fire resistant and by not mudding the joints a potential fire will have an easier time burning through.
If you do decide to paint drywall without mudding, be aware that the joints and any imperfections will be visible once the paint is applied.
What is drywall and what are its benefits
Drywall is a type of wallboard that is used to create interior walls and ceilings. It is made of gypsum plaster that is pressed between two thick sheets of paper.
Drywall is a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-install material, making it a popular choice for both home and business owners.
In addition to its affordability, drywall also offers a number of other benefits. For instance, it is fire-resistant and helps to insulate against sound.
Additionally, drywall can be easily repaired if it becomes damaged. Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, drywall is an excellent choice for your walls and ceilings.
Do you have to mud and tape drywall?
I have personally painted spaces such as garages and storage units where the client didn’t want to spend the money to have the walls mudded and taped first.
In these cases, I would simply paint over the existing drywall without any prep work. The outcome is not going to be perfect, but it can be an option if you’re on a tight budget.
If you mud the drywall and don’t use tape then cracks will appear over the joints over time.
Mudding the drywall and using tape will give you a much nicer finish and will help to prevent cracks from forming.
So, while you can technically paint drywall without mudding, it’s not recommended unless you’re okay with imperfections in your walls.
How to paint drywall
You can paint drywall with a roller and a paintbrush or by spraypainting it.Paint sprayers can be rented if you don’t own one yourself.
Painting drywall is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to take your time and do it carefully in order to achieve the best results. Especially the prep work, such as mudding,caulking and sanding.
Mudding and sanding can be time-consuming and it’s hard work. You could always hire a professional to do it for you so you then can paint it, but that will obviously cost more money.
The pros and cons of painting drywall without mudding
If you do decide not to mud your drywall before painting, there are both pros and cons to consider.
On the plus side, it’s much less work and you can save yourself a lot of time by skipping this step.
On the downside, your joints will be visible and any imperfections in the drywall will be accentuated once the paint is applied.
Additionally, your insurance company may have requirements about mudding drywall in order to maintain your coverage.
So, while you can technically paint drywall without mudding, there are some things to consider before making this decision. Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you want to mud your drywall before painting it.
Do you have to prime drywall?
For newly constructed homes or rooms, the drywall typically doesn’t need to be primed before painting. 2 coats of paint should be enough, which is the way I normally do it.
However, if you are hanging wallpaper or painting over an existing paint job, you may not need to prime the drywall first.
Very glossy surfaces should be primed with a high-quality primer before you hang wallpaper or paint since the new paint or wallpaper may not adhere well to the surface otherwise.
Some painters choose to prime new drywall before applying 1-2 coats of paint but in my experience it’s not needed if you use high-quality paint.
How many coats of paint do you need for bare drywall?
For the best results, 2 coats of paint are usually needed. You might get away with one coat if it’s high-quality paint and cheap low-quality paint may require 3 coats.
I always paint 2 coats since I spackle and adjust imperfections between layers to get the best result.
To do that I use a portable LED work light that I move around the walls and then mark the areas that need adjustment with a pencil which I then spackle.
The markings with the pencil help show me where to spackle since when you remove the LED light they’ll be hard to see.
When the mud is dry I then sand it by using 120-150 grit sandpaper and paint over them once before applying the final coat.
I mudded the ceiling and walls in this bedroom to get a smooth finish on the drywall before I painted it.
What is the best paint to use on new drywall?
The best paint to use on new drywall is a high-quality water-based acrylic paint.
Acrylic paint is a type of paint that offers a number of advantages over other types of paint, including its durability, resistance to fading, elasticity and ability to maintain its color over time.
In addition, acrylic paint is less likely to yellow or crack than oil-based paint, making it the best choice for new drywall.
Some popular paint brands are:
- Benjamin Moore
- Sherwin-Williams
- Behr
- Valspar
- Glidden
- Dunn Edwards
Sherwin-Williams was the most used paint brand in 2018 followed by Benjamin Moore according to Statista.
Conclusion
To summarize, you can technically paint drywall without mudding it first but there are some things to consider before making this decision.
Mudding and sanding can be time-consuming and it’s hard work, but it will give you a better result since your joints will be hidden and any imperfections in the drywall will be less visible.
If you don’t want to mud your drywall yourself then hire someone else to do it for you!
It’s also important to keep in mind that your insurance company may have requirements about mudding drywall so be sure to check with them before skipping this step.
