How to Prepare Glossy Walls for Fresh Paint

April 17, 2025

Say Goodbye to Shine: How to Paint Over Glossy Walls with Confidence

We’ve all been there—standing in front of a wall so shiny it practically says, "Don’t paint me!" Whether you inherited glossy walls from a previous homeowner or once loved their slick vibe yourself, now you're ready for a change. But if you’ve ever tried painting over a glossy finish without prepping it properly, you know it’s like trying to lay a picnic rug on a slip and slide. The new paint just...won’t stick.

Don’t stress—it’s totally fixable, and yes, you can absolutely give glossy walls a gorgeous matte, eggshell, or satin finish with the right know-how and a handful of trusty tools. Here’s how to get those walls prep-ready so your next coat of paint goes on smooth, stays put, and looks professionally done—even if it's your first rodeo.

Why Glossy Paint is So Stubborn

Glossy walls have a slick finish that resists moisture and stains—which is super handy in bathrooms and kitchens—but it also means that paint doesn’t "grip" the surface very well. If you skip the prep, you might find the fresh paint peels, chips, or looks patchy. Not cute. But once you break through that shiny shield, your new colour will thank you for the effort.

Step-by-Step: Taming the Gloss

1. Give it a Good Wash

Before you grab the sandpaper or the primer, start with a clean slate. Glossy walls are usually dust magnets. Kitchen walls might have grease, too.

Use warm water and sugar soap to clean the walls thoroughly. It cuts through the grime and gives your paint a good chance to stick. You can grab trusted options like Uni Pro’s Sugar Soap or go for the classic concentrate for a DIY mix-in-a-bucket session.

2. Sand Like You Mean It (But Gently)

Now the shiny part—literally! Light sanding is key. You want to dull down the surface so the next paint sticks. Use 120- to 220-grit sandpaper depending on how glossy your wall is. If sandpaper isn’t your thing or you're working a large area, you might consider a pole sander for easy reach.

This step doesn’t need to wear your arms out. Just enough pressure to take down the shine and give it a matte texture. If you swipe your fingers across and it feels a little rough, you’re good to go.

3. Wipe Down the Dust

After sanding, you’ll notice dust—maybe lots of it. Don’t trap that under your fresh coat. Grab a slightly damp cloth or tack cloth and give those walls a good wipe. Let it dry completely before the next step.

4. Prime Time!

Think of primer as paint’s best friend—it helps with bonding and gives you a smooth, even finish. And when it comes to glossy walls, choosing the right primer can make or break your results.

We keep recommending Haymes UltraSeal around here for this exact reason. It’s a problem-solving sealer-primer that's especially good at grabbing onto slick surfaces like gloss walls and giving your topcoat something to hug onto.

Strong adhesion, easy to apply, and a solid barrier—that’s what makes Haymes UltraSeal such a go-to, especially for glossy areas that are about to get a facelift.

Apply one even coat with a roller or brush, and give it time to dry properly. Check the tin for dry times, but 2–4 hours is a safe bet before adding your colour coat.

5. It’s Painting Time 🎨

Now the fun part! Once your primer feels dry and looks smooth, go ahead and start painting. Whether you’re going Hamptons-inspired white or bold and moody feature wall, your prep work just made this part ten times easier—and longer lasting.

A Few Handy Tips From Someone Who’s Been Elbow-Deep in Paint More Than Once

Always protect your floors and trim with painter’s tape and drop cloths. Nothing ruins a good session like chasing rogue paint drips.
Use quality tools. A good microfibre roller and sash cutter brush make a world of difference when edging and getting an even coat.
Don’t rush drying times. It’s tempting, but paint needs space to breathe between coats.

Whether it’s your first DIY mission or your tenth, prepping right saves time, money, and frustration. You’ll end up with something that’s not just a colour change—it’s a real glow-up for your home. And I promise, the effort pays off every time you walk into that freshly painted room.

Need help finding the right primer or primer accessories? Pop by Strathalbyn H Hardware—we’ve got your back at the paint counter. Or just give us a ring and chat with someone like me (I’m usually lurking around, probably with a dab of paint on my sleeve).

Until next project—

Warmly,
Candeece