My kitchen ceiling was painted about five years ago, but I'm starting to notice discoloration around where the screws were installed. I need to repaint, but I'm unsure whether to prime the area first or just go straight to applying two coats of my white paint. What's the best approach to minimize the appearance of these screw marks?
2 Answers
It's important to address those screw pops first! When the paper backing is broken, it can cause those discolorations. I recommend adding another screw to stabilize the area next to the existing ones, then applying drywall compound to fill the imperfections. After sanding it down smooth, prime the area before you repaint. This way, you'll get the best finish!
It sounds like you're dealing with screw shadows rather than exposed screws, which can happen with drywall. Before repainting, make sure to properly clean the ceiling. If it's in good condition, you might get away with just two coats of paint without priming, but that discoloration could still show through over time. Just be prepared for the possibility of needing two coats!