painting
With the tips and practices in this vital guide, you can achieve pro-level outcomes.
Painting may be the most cost-effective of all the jobs required for home upkeep or repair. Nothing has the power to transform a space like colour. Painting is a simple process that produces excellent results. The devil, like with most things, is in the details. Anyone can paint their home with a few basic tools and a few simple principles if they follow a few simple rules.
The brush is the most basic painting instrument. A good brush will apply an even coat of paint, won’t lose bristles into the paint, and should last for years if properly cared for. Natural bristles are utilised with oil or shellac-based finishes, while nylon bristles are used with acrylic paints. Brushes range in size from 1 to 6 inches wide, but a 3-inch brush will suffice for most activities. Angled-tip brushes are useful for managing paint when cutting or cleaning windows. Brushes should be carefully cleansed with water after each use (if using latex paint) until no paint can be visible in the water runoff, then hung to dry from a nail. A good brush should cost between $10 and $20.
Walls, ceilings, and other big flat surfaces are painted with paint rollers. The most popular size roller pad is 9 inches long and comes in a variety of nap lengths ranging from 1/8 inch (for smooth surfaces) to 1/2 inch (for rough surfaces) (for textured surfaces). The roller’s handle is threaded to accept an extension pole for reaching regions where a ladder isn’t available. Roller pans, whether plastic or metal, should be deep enough to contain a substantial amount of paint without spilling while in use. A roller screen that hangs inside a 5-gallon paint bucket can be purchased for larger applications. Smaller 3-in. rollers or thin pencil-type pads can be used in tighter locations, such as the interior of cupboards.
You must prepare the surface before applying the paint to provide a long-lasting paint. The surface to be painted must be clean, smooth, and free of any loose paint, whether it is external or interior, walls, cabinets, or windows.
Wipe off baseboards and other trim with a spray cleaner to remove dust and mildew. Now is an excellent time to remove switch and outlet covers if you’re painting your walls. Keep an eye out for grease residue in the kitchen cabinets. It’s a good idea to power-wash everything before painting the outside of the house to paint insects, loose paint, mould, and other debris. Any places with loose paint should be sanded with 120 grit paper, and a dust mask should be worn. To improve the adhesion of the fresh paint, rough up previously painted trim with sandpaper. (Keep in mind that any part of a house painted before the mid-1970s is likely to have lead-based paint.)
Visit the EPA’s website for additional information about lead paint.) If you’re going to spray paint metal objects like railings, first sand them down to remove any rust. Fill nail holes or divots in wood surfaces with a mild spackle, then sand the filled areas smooth. (Don’t forget to clean up the dust.) Paintable vinyl adhesive caulk should be used to fill cracks and seams. If you have vintage windows that need their muntins sanded, use blue painter’s tape to protect the panes from being scratched by the sandpaper.
Primer paint is designed to adhere to a range of surfaces and create a smooth, homogeneous substrate for final coatings to adhere to. Some primers are exclusively intended for use on the inside, while others can be used both inside and outside.
After you’ve prepped the surfaces, prime any exposed wood, previously painted surfaces that are worn, and any surface that will undergo a significant colour change. When a significant colour change is desired, the primer might be coloured to match the finish paint. You might use a stain-blocking primer if knots in raw wood or certain stains seep through regular primer.
Almost all house paint nowadays is water-based acrylic (latex). Acrylic paint, unlike oil-based paint, contains no lead, is water-based, and does not emit harmful fumes. Manufacturers mention whether the paint is intended for use on the exterior or the interior. Paint comes in a variety of finishes. Flat is a type of paint that dries to a dull sheen and is widely used on ceilings and walls.
Gloss, on the other hand, has a gleaming surface that is frequently used in bathrooms because it is easier to clean. Semi-gloss is a popular finish for trim and cabinets that falls somewhere in between the two. Satin is a little duller than semi-gloss, while eggshell shines a little more than flat. Although manufacturer figures vary, a gallon of paint should cover between 250 and 400 square feet. A gallon of good quality paint can cost anywhere from $30 to $60.
If you’re using spray enamel, having an organic vapour respirator on hand is a good idea. These spray paint cans are great for painting little items or touch-ups, but they contain a lot of harmful VOCs, so keep them outside.
Begin by cleaning the area so that you may work on the walls, ceiling, and trim. Cover the floor with drop cloths and use painter’s tape to mask off any areas you don’t want to get paint on, such as the flooring adjacent to the baseboards. Remove the outlet and switch boxes’ electrical cover plates and store the plates and screws for reinstallation after painting. Prepare all of the surfaces that will be painted. Remove as much dust as possible with a brush or vacuum.
Start with the ceiling if you’re going to prime and paint it. (Any spills or splatters on the floor will be cleaned up afterwards.) To avoid getting paint on the walls when you start rolling, paint a 3 inch broad strip around the circumference of the ceiling with a brush. Pour some paint into the roller pan, then roll the pad in the paint until it’s thoroughly covered, then start rolling out the ceiling. For better coverage, try to roll in one direction and overlap each pass. Prime the walls in the same method. If necessary, prime any trim with a brush.
Start with the finish coatings on the ceiling, cutting around the corners with a brush and rolling the interior. Repeat for the walls, trimming carefully to avoid getting wall paint on the ceiling. To avoid lap marks, paint the trim with long, uniform brush strokes after the walls have been rolled out. Paint doors and windows from the inside out, starting with the interior panels (or muntins) and working your way out to the edges, smoothing away any lap lines with the last brush strokes on the vertical stiles.
It’s recommended to remove cabinet doors and any hardware before painting built-ins or cabinets, and then paint the doors separately. Start on the interior and work your way outward after cleaning all surfaces to be painted. Tipping is a technique that involves rolling out the paint first and then brushing it out to erase the roller texture.
Painting takes a long time from start to finish. Even a large painting project may be broken down into manageable portions that can be completed in a weekend if you have the time and motivation. However, if you’re short on time or the work is too enormous, now is the time to hire a pro.
Find a reliable painting contractor by networking with friends or asking for referrals at a local paint store. There’s a good chance you’ll get fantastic results that last a long time.
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