It seems that nothing refreshes an interior as much as a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Painting walls is a simple and easy way to bring change, beautify your home, and remove traces of wear and tear. Many people think painting is an easy job, believing that anyone can simply buy paint from the store and repaint a room. However, if you decide to paint on your own, mistakes such as choosing the wrong type of paint or using improper techniques can backfire. Why is it better to hire a professional painter rather than beautify your home by yourself?
Painting is not just about applying paint to walls; it involves much more. It includes proper and professional wall preparation, protecting furniture and floors, selecting the right paint (which is far from simple), and using the appropriate tools and techniques.
How to Prepare for Painting
Before starting to paint, it is essential to protect furniture and floors to prevent paint from getting on these surfaces. This is an important step because proper preparation of the space and its protection will save you time and money that would otherwise be spent on cleaning or replacing stained furniture or flooring.
To protect these surfaces, you can use plastic sheets, nylon, or thicker cardboard. Around the room’s perimeter, close to the walls to be painted, lay old rags, paper, or newspapers. Do not use plastic bags for this purpose, as they do not absorb paint, which will only spread. Additionally, do not forget to protect light switches and door frames.
If you are painting a new, uninhabited space or renovating a room where all the furniture has been removed or relocated, cover the floor with a layer of thick nylon and secure it with adhesive tape.
The next step is thoroughly preparing the walls for painting. If walls are not properly prepared, they may remain uneven, or the paint may peel off.
Start by cleaning the walls of dirt, such as pencil marks, grease stains, or insect marks. This is especially important if you plan to paint the walls with a lighter color. Stains on the walls prevent the paint from adhering properly. After cleaning, allow the walls to dry completely. If there are wallpapers on the walls, they must be removed.
The most crucial part of wall preparation is smoothing, or filling cracks and imperfections in the wall’s surface. For larger cracks, use reinforcing tape. Smoothing is an additional expense but necessary. It is done in two layers. For the first layer, the smoothing compound should be thicker, especially for large cracks and uneven surfaces. Once the first layer is dry, sand it down to ensure a smooth surface. Then, apply the second layer of the smoothing compound.
Do Not Skimp on Painting Tools
Today, a wide variety of paints and shades are available on the market. However, a small sample in a catalog often does not accurately reflect the final look of the color when applied to a wall. Most paint stores offer small sample containers so you can test how a particular shade will look under the room’s lighting and how it complements the interior design.
When choosing a paint, consider how it will coordinate with the furniture, the room’s dimensions, its purpose, and your personal preferences. Each color evokes specific feelings and moods. For small spaces, light colors are recommended, as they visually enlarge the space. A home office benefits from green, which enhances focus and productivity. Blue, associated with mental calmness, is perfect for rooms intended for relaxation, as it has a soothing effect.
High-quality painting tools are essential. Poor tools can lead to uneven coats and thick paint layers. Brushes with natural bristles are better for oil-based paints, while synthetic brushes work well with water-based paints. For large surfaces, a roller is ideal, while smaller brushes or mini rollers are better for corners and edges. When dipping a roller into paint, be sure to drain the excess paint well; otherwise, the surface may become oversaturated with paint.
Quality painting tools designed for the task are often expensive. If you are uncertain about your painting skills, it may be best to leave the job to professionals. Painters bring experience, skill, the right tools, and knowledge of different paint types and can recommend the most suitable shade based on the space itself.
Proper Painting Techniques
Begin painting by creating a “frame” with a smaller roller or brush. Paint the edges of the walls, around windows, doors, light switches, and outlets. Avoid taking long breaks between framing and painting the walls, as the paint could dry completely.
For perfect results, apply two to three coats of paint to ensure full coverage and achieve the desired depth of color. Let each coat dry completely before applying the next one. If a coat is not completely dry, bubbles may form, and the paint may peel off.