Article: Extension poles are the key to successfully painting tall walls. Purchase or rent an extension pole from your local hardware store or online, and find a paint roller that will screw into it. Extension poles cost anywhere from $15-$30 with longer poles being more expensive. Paint rollers cost around $10. Borrowing an extension pole or roller from a friend is a good way to save money. For help figuring out which extension poles and rollers will work best together, ask an employee at a hardware store or do some research online. Place the bottom of the ladder firmly on the ground and position it against the wall carefully. How long the ladder needs to be will depend on how tall your walls are, but choosing an extension ladder is always a good idea. Make sure the ladder's safety features are working properly. If you don't have a tall ladder, ask friends, neighbors, or coworkers if they have one you can borrow. You can also call your local hardware store and ask them if you can rent a ladder for the day. If your walls have nail holes or other small imperfections, apply a spackling compound to the hole. For tiny holes, apply a small amount of spackle to the hole and smooth it with your finger. For larger holes, level the spackle with a putty knife. After the paste dries, gently sand the spot so that it's smooth. Use a tall ladder to spackle spots that are out of your reach. Read the tube of spackling paste to know how long it will take to dry. After you've sanded it down, you can use a damp rag to wipe off the dust. If you don't want to have to worry about painting in a straight line, put painter's tape along the edges of the wall. Use a tall ladder to tape the very top edges. Be careful and tape slowly, making sure the tape is even and firmly pressed down. Paint brushes, rollers, and edgers can all be messy, especially when attached to an extension pole. To ensure primer or paint doesn't get on the floor, spread out a drop cloth. Make sure the cloth reaches all the way to the wall's edge. You can also use a drop cloth to cover any furniture in the room that isn't able to be moved. Primer is useful when painting over a dark color or damaged wall, as well as in many other situations. There are many different primers made for certain scenarios, so go online or ask an employee at a hardware store if your walls need a primer. Attach your paint brush or roller to an extension pole to prime the tall parts of your wall. Let the primer dry before beginning the rest of the painting. Check your can of primer to see how long it will take to dry completely.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Find a paint extension pole and roller that are compatible. Set up your tall ladder. Use spackling paste if the wall has holes or rough spots. Apply painter's tape to edges of walls if desired. Put down a drop cloth to protect the floors. Prime your walls if necessary.