Painting interior walls is a time-intensive chore.
You’ll be thrilled with the results of your painting labors.
Leaving them in will just make the job more difficult and time-consuming.
Credit:BHG / Julie Bang
First,turn off the power to any outletsor electric fixtures.
Using anelectric screwdrivercould save you some time.
You’ll also want to remove drapes and drapery hardware.
Credit:BHG / Julie Bang
(It’s the perfect time to get them cleaned while they’re off the wall!)
Loosen the trim pieces of ceiling-mounted fixtures and slide them down the fixture away from the ceiling.
Wrap them in plastic.
If you’repainting doors, remove knobs and locksets.
Separate the hardware for each window, door, and curtain into its own bag.
If you’re painting multiple rooms, label the bags by room.
Use a toothbrush or small wire brush to remove debris from nail holes, cracks, and larger fissures.
Patch smaller cracks and holes with lightweight spackling compound.
Let dry and sand smooth.
For larger holes, usedrywall patching kits.
Caulk gaps between trim and walls and fill nail holes with wood putty.
Let dry and sand as needed.
Wipe all sanded areas with a clean cloth.
Use a mix of mild detergent or trisodium phosphate and water to spot-clean oily stains on walls.
Rinse all cleaned surfaces with water.
Credit: Kim Cornelison Photography Inc
Let dry before painting.
Vacuum carpeting and floors.
Position a step stool or step ladder; you’ll need it for taping and painting.
Keep the project area as clean as possible.
Place a large trash can in the room to discard debris as you work.
A messy workspace gets in the way and could pose safety hazards.
Tape and Protect
Paint preparation includes masking off areas and things you don’t want to paint.
Buy different widths ofpainter’s tapeso you’ll be ready to take on every taping task.
Place wide strips of painter’s tape over coverless electrical receptacles, switches, and outlets.
Cover recessed light fixtures with pieces of painter’s tape.
Mask off window trim, baseboards, fireplace mantels, and built-in bookcases.
Lined drop cloths won’t allow paint to leak through to surfaces below.
Well, almost ready.
It’s also important toprep your paintfor the walls.
The additives can help with insulation, mildew resistance, and fireproofing.
Get inspired with more painting ideas on our podcast, The Better Buy.
Carmeon Hamilton shares her tips for upgrading a basic wall with paint and more DIY decor ideas.
