Is this your first time painting your home? Here are some tips to help you do that!
There are many reasons why people choose to repaint rooms. In some cases, paintwork that has cracked, peeled off, and other signs of age will ease the need for repainting. In other cases, homeowners are just in the mood for a change. Regardless of your reason for applying a coat of paint, there are a number of things you need to do before, during, and after work. These measures are especially important for homeowners who have little to no experience with interior painting. So if you are about to break out of the colors and reels, take these pointers to heart.
Buy the right color
As with any type of product, you basically get what you pay for when you buy paint. While it's always nice to save a few dollars, it's generally recommended that you choose quality options when looking for the right house color. Given how long you expect a paint job to last and how good you want it to look, it is in your best interest to avoid getting paint on the house cheaper. If you are unsure which brands are the best quality, start your preferred search engine or contact an expert at your local hardware store. For best results, make sure you are using good quality paint rollers and roller covers. Quality paint and quality rollers are a winning combination. When you see how well the job went, you'll be glad you spared no expense.
Don't let your paint dry out
As any skilled painter can attest, paint is very prone to dehydration, and nothing is as frustrating as discovering that the paint has dried out just before painting a room. Paint that is stored in cans that are only partially full is particularly prone to drying. Fortunately, preventing dehydration is far from an uphill battle. If you have golf balls on hand, place them in partially empty paint cans to fill the air space. Placing plastic wrap under the lid is another simple and effective way to prevent drying. Finally, you should close all partially empty paint cans tightly and store them upside down.
Thoroughly clean the surface that you want to paint
To make sure that dust, dirt, or grime doesn't mix with fresh paint, thoroughly clean the surface you plan to paint before repainting it. If the surface to be painted is smaller, a good handkerchief can be an invaluable cleaning tool. If, on the other hand, you are working with a larger surface, a sponge or washcloth soaked in warm water should be sufficient. Just make sure you give your sponge or washcloth a good wring before bringing it into contact with the surface.
Secure anything you don't want to paint on
It should come as no surprise that painting can be a pretty messy endeavor. So, in addition to being careful to wear clothes that you don't want to ruin, make sure that you securely cover any items that you don't want to put paint on. Fall cloths and plastic sandwich bags can be particularly helpful. This may seem like a cumbersome task to you at first, but when you examine how much paint is falling on the towels and bags, you'll be glad you took the time to properly prepare. While covering important items can take some of the time, stains of paint can last forever. In addition to covering important items, you need to take care of any surfaces that you don't want to paint. These surfaces must be covered with high quality painter's tape. Make sure you always have a supply of painter's tape on hand before you start work and don't be afraid to use it. When it comes to protecting surfaces, too much tape is not preferable enough.
A brand new coat of paint can make even the most iconic room look fresh and exciting. However, if your experience with interior painting leaves something to be desired, consider educating yourself before undertaking such a venture. As you will find, a little knowledge can mean the difference between a bad, amateur paint job and a professional paint job.
