10 Interior Home Painting Tips & Techniques for the Perfect Paint Job
It is important to equip yourself with good tips that enable you to paint your home interior as per your expectations. To achieve the perfect painting job and achieve a smashing success, implement the following interior house painting tips.
Wait for dry weather
Humidity is associated with slow drying and drips. Avoid rainy days. If you must paint, then take your time and use a slow drying paint as it enables you to correct any errors as you wait for the next coat. However, do not overwork as the imperfection you create during that time will show when you finish the job.
Do a thorough prep and visual inspection
Cracks peeling or flaking areas require light sanding or scraping before you apply any new primer or paint. The reasons are because the weight of a new paint coat can pull the old coat loose. This can waste your money and time if you do not tackle it first.
Greasy spots need a little washing with some soap then rinsing with clean water. It removes dust from the surface and makes it clean for painting.
Use high-quality roller covers, brushes and painter’s tape
You do not want to pinch pennies on your application. High-quality brushes and roller covers offer excellent coverage and ensure you do not waste time or reapply paint. The high-quality painter’s tape helps you seal out drips or blurs.
Know your nap
Walls with more texture require thicker nap on the roller cover to enable the paint to reach into any crevices and offer complete coverage. However, do not go too thick as you may create texture in places you do not want. Be ready to give your salesperson details on your interior home painting needs.
Protect anything you do not want to paint
You can never regret the time you spend in covering the floors, hardware, and furniture before starting your painting project. Drop cloths are compulsory. Use small plastic sandwich bags secured with a tape to protect your door knobs.
Remove outlet covers and light switch.
You need the patience to go through this tip. However, it is good to follow it if you want to achieve your goal.
Use a primer
Paint and primer combinations are good if you have a clean and smooth surface. In case there are issues with the surface, or it has been years since you last painted, then you can go with a separate primer. Cover all challenging surfaces using a bonding primer.
Box your paint
Enlist the help of your salesperson to assist you with making a realistic estimate of the amount of paint you need to buy it all at once. Combine all the paint into one large container and mix them thoroughly. The process is known as boxing the paint, and it helps keep the color consistent from the start to the end.
Let your roller do the work.
Premium paints flow easily. Choose a good roller cover so that you do not need to apply more pressure. Use an extension pole to help you reach more area with less effort and without straining your back.
Paint from top to bottom
After cutting the edges at the baseboard and ceiling using your brush, use a roller to apply paint from your ceiling downwards. Amateurs sometimes use telltale drips or spatter at the end of a paint job. However, pros paint right over the mistakes and work their way down the walls. When an area starts to dry, leave it alone. Do not go over it as it can leave color streaks and marks on the paint surface.
Mistakes to avoid
Skipping prep time
Lack of proper preparation makes a big difference between an amateur project and a perfect job. Most homeowners want to jump into the project because of excitement to see the new color on their walls. It is an emotional reaction.
Remember, professional painters, spend more time on prep. They properly clean the walls and scrap off any cracks and peaks then apply the painter’s tape carefully. Besides, professionals allow patching compounds to dry before they begin painting.
Do not skimp on roller covers and brushes to save money.
Even if you have the best paint in the world, the paint will not perform if you choose to use cheap applicators. High-quality brushes and roller covers offer better coverage and save your paint in the long-run. The brushes are durable meaning that you can use them again later.