Undertaking a change in your home can be quite a task. There is much to consider with it all, even just something as seemingly simple as interior painting. There are a variety of options when painting a room; considering your budget, whether to hire a professional or do it yourself, making the time if you do the job yourself, and a number of other factors are all part of the project. Today, we at L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc would like to share some tips on performing your own interior painting project.
Why Do Painters Sand the Walls Before Painting?
You can’t expect smooth paint applications if the wall has a rough terrain. To get the walls smooth and level, take a low grit sanding square and sand away the flaws, rough patches, and other blemishes. Spackle, joints-compound patches, and holes; follow up with an additional sanding to ensure the wall is smooth. Work in grid patterns starting from the baseboards and work your way to the ceiling and complete each section at a time. A fine grit sandpaper is ideal and an extension pole to reach the higher places can help you avoid the up and down of using a ladder. Too much pressure can create more damage, use light to moderate pressure where it’s needed to clear away the rough patches without creating more. As you sand around the baseboard and ceiling, sand horizontally instead of vertically. Using a sanding sponge is optimal to pivot around wood work.
Should You Tape Before Painting?
Use tape to offer protection around door frames, baseboards, window frames, or accent walls, along with outlets and light switches after you have removed the plates. This will help provide a barrier to places you don’t want the paint to make contact with. For additional protection, use a putty knife or sturdy cardboard to protect those areas that are off limits to the paint you are using.
How Do You Paint Where Wall Meets Ceiling?
Scrape the texture away in the crevice where the ceiling meets the wall using a flathead screwdriver. This will help you avoid marring up the ceiling with the paint you are using on the walls by creating a groove that the paint brush will naturally pool into. If you are concerned about the appearance, removing the texture is not even noticeable.
What Can I Put on the Floor While Painting?
Canvas drop cloths are the preferred choice for protecting the floors as they absorb the paint without any seepage. Avoid using sheets and plastic covers to protect them. Sheets are porous and allow paint to seep through and plastic merely only catches any spilled paint, leaving with a challenge when it comes time to deal with the mess.
What is a Tinted Primer?
Primer should never be skipped. To ensure the paint is even and well coverage is well done, the primer not only helps conceal old paint, but the places that were spackled or other vulnerable places will absorb paint, making the job look patchy, primer helps keep it all even. However, you don’t always have to reach for the white primer. A light gray primer, or a tinted primer closely shaded to the paint going on your walls can promote a better end result. Skipping the primer may require you to apply 3-4 coats of paint to properly cover the pre-existing painted walls, especially if they are bright or dark.
Paint One Wall at a Time
It may seem more time efficient and tempting to finish all the trim work in the room at once and then to follow up with the overall painting application, this impulse will result in obvious seams. To avoid have a seam in your paint; concentrate your efforts on one wall at a time.
Do I Need to Prep a Paint Roller?
The little fuzzy particles that transfer from the paint roller onto the wall can be averted. Simply wash a fresh roller in water and a drop of soap and run your hands up and down the length. Let them dry before using.
Brush Painting
Load the paint on your brush, but don’t wipe the bulk of it off on the side of the paint can. Instead instantly apply the soaked brush to a bear spot on the wall and spread the paint out in the different direction. This will expedite the process.
Interior & Exterior Painting & More in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, North Haven, North Sea, Noyack, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Springs, Water Mill, Westhampton & Westhampton Beach, New York
Finding the time to perform your interior painting project can be difficult. You need to dedicate two full days at minimum. Instead of risking a rush and sloppy job, not to mention having to buy all the painting equipment and finding a place to store it afterwards, consider hiring a professional. L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. has experienced and skilled professionals that can get your interior painting done quickly and efficiently. Call us today to get started!