Painting your house is a small project that can make a huge difference.
Not only is painting an inexpensive home improvement project you can do on your own, but it can completely change the look and feel of your home.
If you are thinking of starting a painting project in your home or office, follow these helpful painting steps to ensure a flawless paint job:
- Prepare – Remove dust, dirt and grease spots from your walls with water, a little mild dish washing detergent and semi rough sponge. Rinse the walls with clean water to ensure the soap residue is removed.
- Painters Tape – Get some painters blue tape to apply to the trim, windows, door frames and any other areas you don’t want paint to get to. Make sure to remove the tape immediately after painting, before the wall dries so you don’t peel off any paint with it.
- Primer – Don’t skip out on the primer. It not only provides a good surface for the pint but also brings out the paint’s true color.
- Make the Paint Stick – Take the time to prep. Your painting surface must be clean and non-glossy. Paint won’t stick to the wall if you haven’t taken the proper steps in advance to putting color on the walls.
- Skills – It doesn’t take too many skills to paint like a pro when you use the proper tools. Use an edge pad for clean lines around door frames, ceiling edges and corners so your walls looks perfect.
- Type of Brush – Use a smaller paint brush around the trim and corners of the walls, where your roller won’t reach. Using an angles crush is best and extend it out two to three inches from the windows, doors and moldings.
- Technique – For best efficient results, start in a corner of the wall and roll on a 3×2 foot W or M patter, filling it in with horizontal and vertical strokes, without lifting the roller. Continue in small sections like this focusing on just one wall at a time.
- How Much – Pros recommend one gallon for every 400 square feet. However, if you are covering textured, rough or un-primed surfaces, it may require more.
- Pick your Day – Moisture in the air keeps water based paint from drying so it is important to pick a dry day to paint.
- High Traffic Areas – Use a semi-gloss for areas that experience high traffic. It is shiny and durable and you won’t have to be making touch ups all the time on it.
- Scrape it Off – If you notice your old paint flaking off, it’s a good idea to get a paint scraper to take it off. Once your old paint is gone, sand the surface smooth, prime the walls and your new paint is ready to go on.
- Don’t Look Back – Once an area starts to dry, it is best to leave it alone. If you go back over it when it is drying, it can leave marks and streaks on the paints surface.
Drop Cloth – No one likes to see paint dots on their floor. Get a drop cloth and use it! It is an easy way to save you from causing even more clean up and headache.- No Shine – If you are painting over a surface that already has a glossy surface, use light sandpaper to take off the gloss so your paint can stick like it should.
- Get a Roller – If you are painting a large room, definitely go with a roller. It will apply the paint more evenly than a brush and save you tons of time.
- Plates Off – Make sure to take off all the wall plates to ensure a professional look and avoid getting paint on anything that shouldn’t be painted.
- Patience, patience, patience – Don’t rush your painting project. Make sure to let each coat dry before going back over it again. This will ensure an entirely professional looking outcome.
- Trim – Once the walls are completely dry, tape where the wall meets the trim and paint moldings, doors and window frames with a two-inch angled brush.
