So I have rather ambitious plans to paint the entire interior of my new house before I move my family in.

I will be using a combination of spraying (with backrolling) and rolling. I have a Graco Magnum 5 sprayer (see homedepot site or graco site).


I have many questions, but a couple key questions are:

1. should I tape off all the outlet/switch covers or remove them and cover the outlet/switch appropriately.

2. The paint I am using specifies 3 hours until the paint is dry to the touch and 6 hours to apply next coat. How long do I have to wait to apply masking tape to a painted surface without risking pulling the paint up when I remove the tape?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

Remove the covers and protect the outlets/switches themselves.

Wait about 24 hours before taping over fresh paint.

If the prep wasn't sufficient, then no matter how long you wait, the tape could pull off the paint.

 

I'd also like to add that inferior quality paints will lift days or sometimes a week after application
Use a good quality paint (and the right tape) and you should have no problems

 

Not only does it work better, but taking the outlet covers off is usually quicker than taping them.

 

Once the covers are removed it only takes seconds to mask each device.
Be sure to use a low tack tape if you mask any new paint.

 

Thanks all!!

You all mention using good paint. I assume I am using good paint, but don't really know. I am using a new paint from a regional company that "everyone" uses here. All the "pros" here use it religiously. Frazee in San Diego is a dominant provider of paint, and they have released a new interior latex that is their top of the line stuff - so they say.

We will be using an "eggshell" latex. Hope this is as good as they say it is.

You all mention a low tac tape. I've picked up the blue and the beige tapes. Do I need the green tape? Which should I use on the new paint I will have laid down?

Also, I assume you all agree that I should remove the "can" lights from the ceilings and the hvac covers as well ( I would spray those separately on the floor perhaps)??

Thanks for all the contributions!

 

I have used paint that was manufactured localy [fla] and it was very user friendly and the majority of pros used it. Hopefully your local brand will be similiar. Local paints are usually tweaked for local conditions which can often make them better than national brands.

The tradional brown masking tape is not low tack and shouldn't be used over any fresh tape, wallpaper and any finish that it might turn loose. Also it shouldn't be left on any surfaces for an extended period of time.. The green tape can be better than the blue but can differ with the different brands.

I wouldn't remove the cans but rather remove the covers/lids and then stuff paper in the can itself. The ac grills are best painted with enamel. Although I have sprayed items directly on the floor it is preferable to have them slightly above the floor because even a well swept floor can still have dirt that might find its way to the painted items.