Step 2 · Prime for a Professional Finish

Forget the 'paint and primer in one' marketing hype; for a professional job, you use a dedicated primer. Get it stirred up and pour some into your tray. Load up your roller—don't overload it so it's dripping. Roll the primer on the main wall sections with overlapping strokes. Then, grab a quality brush and 'cut in' all your edges and corners where the roller won't reach. Let that primer dry completely per the manufacturer's specs. This is what gives your paint a solid foundation.