Painting doesn’t have to be a job strictly for professionals.
With our help, you could confidently go into your next set of homepainting projects.
Choose latex paints insatin or eggshell finishfor most interior walls.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Durable semi-gloss paints are shinier and can be used on kitchen andbathroom walls.
Opt for flat finishes for walls with imperfections; flat finishes hide defects.
Glossier sheens will highlight flaws.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Then,prepare the roomby moving small furnishings out.
Push larger pieces to the room’s center and cover them with plastic.
Using a screwdriver, remove all wall-mount fixtures and hardware;electric screwdriverscan help speed up this job.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Take down curtains and artwork.
Cover switch plate and outlet receptacle openings with plastic and painter’s tape.
You should, however, be mindful of the inside temperature and humidity, which may need adjusting.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
To raise the humidity in a dry room,run a humidifier.
Ask your supplier for the most suitable interior temperature and humidity ranges for your paint.
Wipe baseboards and trim with a microfiber cloth.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Repair Wall Surface
Next, use a putty knife and surfacing compound to fill nail holes.
Thinly spread surfacing compound across each hole using an X-motion.
For any hole larger than a screw or nail hole, use a drywall patch or drywall repair kit.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
see to it you don’t scrape too much, making the compound level with the wall.
Sand Patches
Sand the patched areas withfine-grit sandpaperuntil smooth and flush with the wall.
Wipe away any residue with a microfiber cloth.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Wash Wall
Wash wallsand woodwork from the baseboards up with TSP and water.
Take special care to remove greasy residue; grease may interfere with paint adhesion and create a rough finish.
Rinse walls with water and let dry fully before starting to paint.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Tape Trim
Lay down drop cloth.
Protect woodwork, ceilings, and other non-wall surfaces with painters tape.
For dark walls,such as redor chocolate, have the primer tinted to match the existing color.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Using a tinted primer means fewer coats of new paint.
Some paints include primer, so check the label before priming or painting walls.
Cut In
Fill a small hand-held container with paint.
Use a 2- to 2-1/2-inch angled brush to cut in.
Any larger and it can be difficult to maneuver; any smaller and you risk not covering enough surface.
Paint Wall
Starting in a corner, roll paint in a W-pattern across the walls.
Work in small, 3- to 4-feet sections, getting even coverage before moving too far along the wall.
If your reach is short, attach the roller to an extension pole.
Once you’ve filled the area, finish it with light vertical strokes tosmooth the paintand remove roller marks.
Alternate between cutting in and rolling until you’ve completed a wall.
Generally, you’ll need to wait at least 2 hours before applying the next coat of paint.
Remove Tape
Remove painters tape as quickly as possible while the paint is still tacky.
This will prevent the tape from getting stuck to the wall.
Normally you should wait 2 weeks or longer before cleaning the surface.
Some manufacturers recommend 30 days, and the wait time is influenced by a number of factors.
Cleaning with a wet sponge is less demanding than with a brush and detergent.
You should apply moderate pressure.
Just don’t add too much water.
If you do, then remove the excess with a paper towel.
