If you’re gazing around your house and noticing that the walls are looking less than stellar, it might be time to freshen up with paint. Most of us can do an “okayish” job in the case of interior painting, but if we aren’t careful, then this whole project can be a disaster. So before beginning with a house painting project, follow some simple painting tips and tricks to get a better result and in no time you will be able to paint like a pro.
Weather Conditions
The paint needs to dry properly, so avoid house painting in rainy weather. The humidity can cause drips, and the drying process will slow down automatically.
If you don’t have any choice but have to paint on a rainy day, then you can take advantage of it too. Slow-painting will make you correct your mistakes.
Stock Up
Like any home improvement project, having the right materials is vital. Similarly, interior painting requires some tools and other useful things. Head to your local hardware store and make sure that you buy the following essentials for getting the job done:
- Flooring paper to protect your carpet and other surfaces from spills and splashes.
- Painting colors – Measure the room ahead of time and be sure that you know how much to buy. Your clerk at the hardware store will be able to help you with the finish you should use. For an average size room (generally 800 square feet), two one gallon cans of paint should be enough. Now you know how much paint you for interior painting. Next, you will need Primers before you apply the top-coat of paint. Choose a powerful primer which will cover anything and will give the top-coat a smooth base. Professional painters generally prefer alcohol and alkyd primer. For the top-coat of paint, we suggest you go for quality latex paint. If you want to know which color of paint you to go for, then do a patch test at your home, because the swatch the store will show you may not go perfectly with the lighting of your room.
- Brushes, roller frames, and rollers in the appropriate thickness for your task. Don’t forget about paint trays!
- Spackle and putty knives for covering any minor holes in the walls.
- Plenty of tape. Use your own judgment as to which brand is best by taping off a small area and starting to paint over it. This will show you which holds up the best.
Clean and Prep
Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to prepare your space.
- Paint doesn’t stick to dust and dirt, so you need to wash the walls first. Get a spray bottle and put a mild dish soap and warm water in it, and use the spray mixture to wash down the walls. The easiest method for hard-to-reach areas is a large-pad mop; this will save your back and your sanity!
- Once the walls are dry, tape off all molding, windows, and doors. Lay your flooring paper and tape it down as well.
- Before starting wall painting, make sure to remove switch plate covers. Once they’re off, it’s a good idea to either wash them in the sink with hot water and soap or throw them in the dishwasher. Think of how many germs those things come into contact with — or maybe don’t, since it might gross you out.
- Fill in any holes from nails or tacks with spackle.
- Protect everything that you don’t want to get painted. You can do this by covering with old bed sheets or by removing the furniture as well as all wall hangings.
Get Busy
Now onto the action. Carefully pour your paint into your paint trays and start working on your room.
- Cut in corners and moldings with your paint brush. This is a daunting task that requires a steady hand, so enlist someone else if you’re not confident in your straight lines.
- Start painting the ceiling first then begin with the walls next. Paint from top to bottom.
- Roll your rollers in the paint and carefully start painting the walls. Ensure that you haven’t saturated the roller in paint; globs of color will fly everywhere if you have.
- The paint roller should not have too much paint on it, or the paint will drip and will create a mess. Dip the paint roller in the bucket and use a screen to remove the excess paint.
- Start with one corner of your room, and never apply the paint horizontally, always do it vertically.
- Following these tips you will find that the paint flows smoothly, and if you chose high-quality paint, paint rollers, and brushes, then you do not need to apply too much pressure while painting.
- To make your work easy, you can always go for an extension pole for the unreachable areas in your room.
- After applying one coat, wait for an hour or two, before starting on a second coat. Though some of the paint dries quickly still wait for a while. Most rooms will only require two layers, but be prepared to do three if needed.
- If you need to continue the work the next day, seal the wet roller tightly in a plastic bag to avoid it drying up.
- After finishing make sure to clean your brushes, rollers, bucket, screens and everything else with dishwashing detergent. We all know that painting a room is a tiring job, but try not to skip this essential final clean-up step.
- Mistakes can happen, so do not panic if and when they do. Keep a sponge brush handy to blend any patches and a damp cloth for spills, drips and paint overflows.
- Please be sure that the paint has completely dried before reinstalling the switch plates or hanging pictures on the walls, otherwise or all your efforts will be in vain.
- Do not forget to remove the tape.
Conclusion
Indoor painting is one of those jobs that you either like or loathe. No matter where you fall on that spectrum make sure that you’re well-prepared for the task ahead of you. Painting like a pro will not be complicated if you follow these simple painting tips and guidelines. Once you complete your job decorate your room according to your preferences. I’m sure that your room is going to look great.
