Interior painting is a task that many homeowners take on without even realizing it. But if you’re ready to up your painting game, read on for tips on how to do it like a pro. From choosing the right paint to preparing your walls and ceilings, this guide has everything you need to get the job done right. So whether you’re a beginner or a pro, check it out!
Preparation
Before you start painting, you need to prepare it. The first thing you will need to do is remove any obstructions, including light switch covers to furniture. The more you can remove from the room, the more space you will have to move around and have a better paint job. Plus, that means that there is less of a chance of getting accidental paint splatters on things that you do not want to have paint on, like a bookcase or on your couch.
Make sure all large obstructions are removed. Moving things into the center of the room and covering them well with plastic sheets will help prevent them from falling.
Then pay attention to any smaller objects. Take the right size screwdriver and begin to remove outlet covers, light switch plates, hooks, clothes, towels, hanging hooks, and pictures. Remove the plates from the switches and outlets and tape them over to prevent paint from slopping on them.
Remaining and replacing some wall obstructions, such as trim, takes a lot of time and effort. Aside from that, removing the walls may damage them. Baseboards, crown moldings, and trim around windows and doors may be easier to mask off unless you’re remodeling an entire room.
Finding a professional painter without a set of work lights is rare. Painting walls with white light gives you an accurate and clear picture of how the paint is adhering. It’s not enough to have ceiling lights. At your local home center, you can find 4,000 lumens LED work lights that are quite inexpensive to purchase.
Now time to add your painter’s tape. You want to use uninterrupted strips and run them along adjacent walls, baseboards, walls, and ceilings. Protect the doors and windows on the wall from paint spatter by wrapping tape around them.
What You Will Need for Painting
Tools and Equipment:
- Screwdrivers to remove light switch plates
- Paint comb (option for paint cleanup)
- Work lights
- 6-foot ladder
- Cordless drill (optional)
- Metal spiral power mixer (optional)
- Extension pole for paint roller
Materials:
- Nitrile or latex gloves
- Wood paint stirring stick
- 2-inch angled paintbrush or edging paint tool
- Painters tape
- Paint tray and paint liners
- Plastic sheeting
- Drop fabric, cloth, or canvas
- Paint can pour spout
- Roller cover in the wanted size
- Roller frame in the wanted size
- Acrylic-latex interior paint
- Primer, preferably a primer that is tinted
Directions
Prime the surface with the primer
When painting a wall, you do not always need a primer. Especially if you are repainting the same color on a wall and the quality of the existing paint is good.
It would be best to use a drywall primer if you want to paint on top of bare drywall. In most cases, professional painters request that the primer be pre-tinted before applying it rather than leaving it stark white as it comes from the paint store. As a result, fewer colored paint coats are required.
Prepare the paint by mixing it
The paint would need to be remixed unless it was mixed at the store just before you started painting. You have two options to mix the paint. You can use it if you have an electric drill, then you can attach a metal spiral mixer attachment and mix the paint that way or use a wooden stirring stick for your paint.
The edges need to be painted
A 2-inch trim brush should be dipped lightly into the paint can then wiped off the excess and painted along the painter’s tape in a 4-inch wide swath.
Using the cutting-in technique, you should also paint the edges about 4 inches inward. It is recommended that you paint two coats with either method.
Painting with a roller
The inner part of the wall will now be painted. The roller should be dipped in the paint tray and thoroughly squeezed out by rolling it over. Apply paint to the wall as a “W” with the roller. Fill in the “W” by covering small sections about four feet high and four feet wide.
Move on to the next section after finishing the previous one. Be sure to work quickly to maintain a wet edge. It would be best to work off a wet edge to avoid streaking.
Paint a second coat after the paint has dried
Once the wall is finished, allow it to dry for at least two hours. Longer drying times are associated with glossier paints. It is possible to repaint flat paint in less than an hour in dry, warm conditions. Another coat of paint should be applied.
The work area needs to be cleaned
Ensure the brush is clean using warm water and a paint comb if you use acrylic-latex interior paint. Drop cloths should be removed, and let air dry outside over a fence. Plastic sheeting should be rolled up and thrown away. It would be best if you waited until the next day before removing the painter’s tape. Pull the tape straight back to cut the paint and create a sharp line.
Painting Interior Walls: Tips and Tricks
Make sure the primer is applied
You don’t always need to use a primer whenever you paint a wall. The same rule applies to repainting a wall with the same color if the existing paint is of good quality.
When needing to paint on bare drywall, it would be best to use a drywall primer. In most cases, professional painters request that the primer be pre-tinted before applying it rather than leaving it stark white as it comes from the paint store. As a result, there will be fewer colored coats required.
The paint must be mixed
You would need to remix the paint if it was not mixed in the store a couple of hours before painting. The paint can be stirred with a wooden stick or mixed with an electric drill attachment with a metal spiral.
Apply paint to the edges
With a 2-inch trim brush, paint a swath that is 4 inches wide by dipping the paintbrush lightly into the paint, wiping off any excess, and painting along the painter’s tape.
The edges of the cutting-in should also be painted about 4 inches inward if you use this method. It is recommended that you paint at least two coats using either method.
Paint the walls with rollers
Paint will now be rolled on the wall’s inner surface. After dipping the roller in the paint tray, roll it on it thoroughly to squeeze out the paint. Then, use the roller to paint a “W” pattern on the wall. After that, finish “filling in” the “W” by covering small sections approximately 4 feet by 4 feet.
Move on to the next section after finishing the previous one. Make sure you maintain a wet edge by working quickly. It is important to work off a wet edge to avoid streaks.
The second coat of paint should be applied after the first coat has dried
Once the wall is finished, allow it to dry for at least two hours. It will take longer for the paint to dry if it is glossier. Flat paint can be ready for painting within an hour if the conditions are dry and warm. Repeat the painting process.
Ensure that the work area is clean
Make sure you clean your brush thoroughly with warm water and a paint comb if you are using acrylic-latex interior paint. Drop cloths should be removed and dried outside over a fence. The plastic sheeting should be wadded up and thrown away. Wait until tomorrow before removing the painter’s tape. By pulling back the tape, you’ll be able to create a sharp cut in the paint.
That is it! All the information you need to start painting your walls like a pro. Follow these steps, and you will be an expert in no time.
With all these factors considered, we are sure you will not be able to resist the urge to start painting your home’s walls. If you’re still unsure, make sure that you hire a reliable painter who practices good quality services to avoid any mishap while working on such an important project!