Basic Painting Tips Every DIYer Should Know
Whether you're a newbie DIYer or a painting aficionado, there are a few basic painting tips everyone should know. Painting is something almost every DIYer will have to do at some point, whether it be painting a small project or an entire house so it doesn't hurt to go over a few basic tips.
Use Primer
In order to ensure a perfect-looking paint job, you will want to use a primer before you start to paint. Primer essentially seals the wall so that the paint you are applying does not seep into the wall's existing color.
This ensures that you will need fewer coats of paint and makes your final paint job look professional, without any unwanted colors bleeding in.
Protect Walls and Furniture
For things you don't want to be painted, like walls and furniture, make sure to protect them before you start painting. To do so, you should use drop cloths. Lay these over the floor and furniture. Ziplock bags or saran wrap can go over things like doorknobs.
Remove Outlet Covers
Take off your outlet covers before painting so they do not get any paint on them. When you finish your painting job, you can put these back on the wall.
Brushes
While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest paintbrush and paint you can find, resist the temptation. Cheap brushes do not last long and cheap paint requires more coats. If you take care of paintbrushes, they can last a really long time, making it worthwhile to invest in good-quality brushes.
Mix Cans
If you are doing a large-scale project which requires multiple things of paint, do not use the paint directly out of the bucket you purchase it in. Instead, mix all buckets of paint in one larger bucket.
This will ensure that the color of the paint is the same throughout and does not vary slightly when you switch from one bucket to another. This process is called boxing.
Preparation is Key
Before you begin to paint, take a thorough look at your wall. If there are any cracks or peels, these will need to be fixed before you start to paint. For areas that are peeling, sanding, or scraping them is an easy fix. If there are any cracks, however, you may need to call in a professional to identify the cause.
Dry Weather
If your painting project will be done outside, make sure you wait for dry weather. If, for example, you are painting your house and it is humid or raining, the paint will not dry correctly.
Use Rollers
Paint rollers are a great way to paint large spaces in short amounts of time. Make sure you purchase a good-quality roller. Do not apply too much pressure when using the roller and do not put too much paint on the roller at any one time.
You can also use an extension pole to cover more area with your roller, even the ceiling. This is easier and safer than using a ladder.
Top Down
While it may seem easier to start painting eye level to you, you should actually start at the top and work your way down. The exception to this is the baseboard edges, which you should do early in a room painting process.
Think about it: any drips run down. By painting down, you can fix these drips as you go rather than having a lot of clean-up to do at the end.
Clean
Before you begin painting, clean any dirty or oily areas. This will help ensure that the paint will adhere well to the wall and not paint off or chip easily. You can use a deglosser or heavy-duty cleaner to do this.
Sanding
You should sand any chips in the walls before you even begin to apply your primer. This will help make sure the wall is perfectly level and fix any issues in your wall. And if you are using a glossy paint, sanding the painted wall will help the paint dry and adhere to the wall.
