Many homeowners attempt to paint the interior of their home. If you haven’t painted before, it may seem like an easy job. Tape, paint, remove tape… It’s that easy, right? Not exactly!
Interior painting requires patience and precision to achieve high-quality results. Before you start, it is important to know the basic interior painting tips to get the job done right. For the best results, contact a professional home painter
Tips from an Interior Painting Pro
Preparation Is Key
Preparation is key to the success of your project. If you don’t prepare well, the paint job will look messy. The first step is to wash your walls. This will remove any dust, dirt, or hair that could be on your wall’s surface. If you don’t remove the grime, your paint can turn out bumpy.
After washing your walls, you will tape the surfaces that are not being painted. This could be trim or the ceiling. Take your time while you tape to make sure you are placing it correctly. For the best results, pull tape about 6” off roll. Place on surface. Use a putty knife to apply pressure. Repeat the process.
Prime Your Walls First
You can never go wrong with priming your walls first. Using primer ensures a more even, smooth surface with superior adhesion between the wall and paint. Some situations require primer. This includes;
- You are painting over drywall
- You are painting a lighter color
- You are painting over plastic
- You are painting over blemishes
- You are painting over wallpaper
While primer is essentially doubling the work, it creates more professional results that is worth the extra time.
Applying the Paint
Applying paint shouldn’t be sporadic. If paint is applied sporadically, you will create lap marks which are the uneven layers of paint buildup that occur when you roll over paint that is partly dry. Maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks. A wet edge is when you roll over the edge of the previous stoke before the paint can dry. This will make the paint appear even. A few more tips for applying paint are;
- Don’t let the roller dry. Reload it often so that it is always at least half loaded.
- Keep the open side of the roller facing the wall.
- Move backwards where necessary to even out spots.
Paint the Trim Before the Walls
The trim is easier and faster to paint. If you paint the trim first, you don’t have to tape twice. Don’t worry about getting the trim paint on the walls. You will be painting the walls next.
Use a Cotton Drop Cloth Rather than Plastic
Splatters are inevitable during your painting project. You will need a drop cloth to protect your floors. A plastic drop cloth can get slippery and needs to be taped down. Instead, use a canvas drop cloth. The heavier material stays in place. It also does not get slippery, creating a safer work environment.
Educating yourself on proper painting techniques can help improve your interior painting project. To achieve the best results, hire an interior painting professional. Mark Powers Painting has over 30 years of experience in home painting. Contact Mark Powers Painting in Beaverton, Tigard, or Portland, Oregon.