If you have a stone wall on your home, or in your basement, you may have considered painting it. This article gives you some advice to consider before you get started on this project.

1
Prepare the area. Place newspaper or a drop-cloth all around the wall to be painted. The paint and primer you will be using will be nearly impossible to clean up if you make a mess.

2
Prepare yourself. This means gloves, old clothes, and a face mask if you are sensitive to paint fumes or the area lacks good ventilation.

3
Prepare the surface. Use a wire brush to remove loose flakes of pre-existing paint, and pay special attention to areas with loose chips or pieces of stone. Remember -- it doesn't matter if you do the best paint job in the world if you are painting over existing loose paint. It will just flake and peel off eventually.

4
Clean the surface. Hot, soapy water will remove any dirt or dust that still clings to the surface. Dry thoroughly with a cotton rag.

5
Prime the prepared surface. There are many good primers on the market and you will want to choose one to fit your budget. Apply one even coat of primer to the surface. Be especially careful to avoid drips and blobs that will dry as ugly lumps! If you let drips form and harden you will have to look those nasty blobs for years to come! Do your best work here and it will pay off.

6
Paint the prepared surface. Using the same steady hand you used to prime the surface, apply 2 - 3 coats of your chosen color. And once again -- Kill all drips!

7
Let the stone wall dry thoroughly. Many paint projects are ruined by a lack of patience in this step. If you do not let the first coat dry, subsequent coats will stay gummy and damp FOREVER.

8
Admire your handiwork! Your stone walls will look great for years to come.