re-painting black walls

neptune0738- Welcome to Able2Know!

I once read somewhere, that the best way to cover a dark color is to clean and rough up the surface. Using two coats of a regular color will work better than one coat of primer, and one coat of paint.

Go to a paint store that carries a number of brands. Ask which brand has the best coverage. There are some paints that in white, you can't even cover over a light color without the older color showing through.

It used to be a standing joke that you painted the walls black when you left, if you hated the landlord!

Good Luck!

You will surely NEED primer to cover a black wall. You may actually need 2 or 3 coats on black, but I'm not absolutely sure about that. You'll know once you put it on. Do not attempt to try and paint a black wall with white paint without first using primer. When you do finally get to the white paint, I'd make sure to get 100% latex so you wont need as much pain. It costs more, but you'll be glad you did. I don't think I ever saw a black wall. I bet you've got some black lights in there too.

Hey, good luck and welcome to A2K :-D

I doubt you'd need twenty layers, but I'd expect that two coats of a really good (read expensive) primer will be needed. Be sure and follow the directions for drying time so it covers correctly.

A good primer/sealer certainly should do it for you..Ive used Kilz www.kilz.com for great stain coverage before-they probably have a primer suited for your needs also.