Paint the walls your way like a professional

Painting a room is one of the most frequent DIY project taken up by people these days. If you plan ahead and execute it properly, it is a hassle free job. It helps to know the tricks of the trade on how to go about it before breaking out a roller or brush.

Just follow these simple steps it will make your job easier:

Painting Preparation

Before starting to paint check the walls for

• Any cracks, flaking, or peeling areas
• Greasy spots
• Check the wall surface for dampness or water seepage

For cracks, flaking, or peeling areas just lightly scrape them using a putty knife and fill the areas with caulk. Sand the surface smooth after the caulk has dried to get the same texture across the wall.

Keep the surface clean, dust-free before painting the walls, greasy spots may require a little soap scrubbing or a wipe-down with a damp cloth.

Rectify the problem of water seepage at the source. This may mean repairing leaking pipes or cracks in the walls.  After re-plastering, adequate drying and stabilizing time should be given to bridge the cracks. It could take up to 7 to 21 days depending on the area of plastering. Then apply stain blocking primerfirst, to cover the repair work.

Weather

Select a dry weather day to paint the home as the paint dry’s fast as compared to a humid day or a rainy day.

Buying Paint Supplies

Buy brushes of good quality, roller covers, this will provide excellent coverage, and the painter’s tape will help in sealing out the drips and blurs. Use nylon or synthetic-bristle brushes for latex paint and natural bristle brushes for oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes.

The surface or the texture of the wall will determine the roller cover nap that is the thickness of the woven cover. It is best to use thick 3/4′′ nap roller covers on stucco, decks, brick, and masonry. For roofs and drywall, medium 3/8′′ nap roller covers are best. For smooth finish use a small 1/4′′ nap roller covers, or foam rollers and they are ideal for wall, wood and metal surfaces.

Buying Paint

First, select the color shade, when choosing different shades for different rooms do specify the same when buying color. Take the help of the salesperson for estimating how much paint is really required and then buy the paint. Start with mixing the paint thoroughly in one large container to get consistent color from beginning to end, instead of using one can at a time. This process is known as “boxing” the paint.

Painting Tips

Here are a few tips to help you paint the room yourself:

1. Use the paint roller with an extension handle to reach any surface without using a ladder.
2. To mix paint use a big- wide rimmed bucket and a roller screen instead of a paint tray.
3. Protect floors, furniture, and hardware before starting to paint with a canvas or cotton drop cloth instead of a plastic cover. Cover the doorknobs with plastic bags and secure them with tape.
4. Tint the primer to the color of the paint to be used in the room. The primer will conceal the holes and crack patches caused by filler or drywall compound and will give a smooth texture.
5. Record the paint color for future use.
6. Start at one corner of the room and apply paint from top to bottom. This will help to avoid lap marks and keep the edge wet.
7. At first use light pressure on the roller, then press harder as the roller becomes less paint-saturated. Move the roller at a moderate speed to avoid splattering.
8. First paint the trim, then the ceiling and then the walls. That’s because tapping off the trim is easier and faster than tapping off the walls. Once the trim is completely painted and dry (at least 24 hours), tape it off using a sharp utility knife or box cutter knife.
9. Remove tape and paint the trim with a brush after the walls have dried. For an ultra-smooth finish, sand trim between coats.
10. To paint a large section without leaving lap marks, roll the almost dry roller in multiple directions along the dry edge. This process is called feathering the pain. After painting the entire wall or ceiling length, move to the next section and paint over the feathered edges. Apply the second coat of paint in the opposite direction; this will smooth out the lap marks.
11. Clean the brush, roller, bucket, and screen in a sink with water and dishwasher detergent.
12. If you’ll be using the same paint again the next day, wrap the wet roller in a plastic shopping bag and seal it with a tie to keep it from drying out.
13. If the same paint is required next day, seal the wet roller with the help of a plastics bag, and it will prevent the roller from drying out.
14. Before hanging pictures, make sure the paint has dried thoroughly.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are for informational purposes only based on industry reports and related news stories. Propertypistol does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and shall not be held responsible for any action taken based on the published information.