First time painters or those who have only tackled the task a few times can find the whole thing a bit intimidating. First you have to pick the right paint color and finish then there are getting the right tools for the job, preparing the wall surface and surrounding areas, and finally doing the actual project. If you’re a bit cautious about beginning a painting project, remember that it’s only paint and if you don’t like the results you can paint over it. And use the following do-it-yourself tips to prepare your project and apply the paint like a painting professional.
Preparing for Your Painting Project
Preparation is really the key to creating a professional looking finish rather than a project that was obviously done by a novice. Take the time to tape off corners and wood trim. Remove all artwork, curtains, and switch plates from the wall. Spend a minute repairing nail holes and other blemishes in the wall with some caulk or putty.
If your room needs a coat of primer then you really shouldn’t skip this step as it can really affect the finished product and add to the longevity of your paint job. Prime over oil based or lead based paints also use a primer if your current wall has a gloss finish. In some cases walls that were faux finished have a glaze applied, this needs to be primed over also as the glaze will affect the paint you apply in your new project.
Use drop cloths liberally and cover all surfaces you want to protect. Plastic tarps are inexpensive and easily cover furniture, even if you think you won’t hit them with paint, its better to be safe than very sorry.
Paint Application How-To
Applying paint is actually pretty easy, but you can get a better job by doing the project in order. First use your cut-in brush to get all corners and edges. You should have already taped this area so cut-in will be a breeze.
Then, start applying paint at the top and work down. If you’re painting a ceiling then paint that first and let the paint dry before moving on. Finish second coats (or third and fourth) before proceeding to the next part of the room as you will often have to remove tape and reapply it before doing each section.
Begin your walls at the top and work toward the bottom so you can catch any drips that may form. If you’re doing an entire room, paint two walls opposite each other first so they can dry while you’re working on the other walls. It’s generally best to begin with the wall that is not seen from the most frequently used entry. You want the first wall people see to be the best wall. Finally, paint any trim you’ve decided to give color to.
If you’re using a roller don’t go crazy and paint all over the room. Paint in a W shape in small three to five foot areas and finish that area before you move on.
Clean Up for Painting Projects
Begin your clean up immediately. It’s temping to give yourself a break once the paint is applied or to walk away and not come back until the paint is dry. This can be a big mistake. Immediately remove your tape as the paint can adhere to tape so when it’s ripped off you actually tear paint off the wall. You’ll also be able to clean up any bleed through by wiping it with a damp rag as opposed to having to use paint to touch up little errors. And you’ll really want to clean up your supplies, once that paint dries on your brushes you may never get them back in working order.
