Every DIYer tackling the project of house painting in Danville wants nothing less than the best result possible. All they have to do is to take heed of some of these excellent tips to achieve them.
Of course, you want to get the job done all at once, but in reality this is impossible especially when you have a big task at hand. Don’t attempt to get everything done in one day; plan a day for the preparation and then another day for painting. You will also need to allow the paint to dry completely if you plan to add a second coat. The project may take days, depending on how large your project is.
Devote one day to preparing the surface. Move the furniture out of the room; for things that can’t be moved out of the room, place them in the center or cover them with drop cloth. Fabric drop cloths are better than plastic because plastic can make slipping more likely. Take everything — pictures and photo frames as well as curtains — off the walls and windows. Remove the light fixture covers, doorknobs, and electrical plates. Clean the walls with regular soap and water; for more stubborn stains, use a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) with water. TSP is also an excellent degreaser which will help remove oil and grime.
Fill any surface flaws (cracks, gaps, nail grooves) with paintable, quick-drying spackling paste, caulk, or filler. Allow the filler to dry, and sand off any excess dried filler to smoothen the surface.
Use a primer when necessary or desired. Primer is a tremendous help for the topcoat to adhere better to the surface. If you are about to use light-colored paint over an old dark color, a primer will be also useful. Primer can also hide stains.
If you want or have to use tape — whether for decorative effect or for protecting areas (e.g., trim and frames) you don’t want to paint — cover them with masking tape or painter’s tape.
After letting the primer completely dry and everything’s prepped, then it’s time to paint the surface. It’s important to stir the paint in the can before you begin painting. Don’t paint straight from the can, however; pour some of the paint into a paint tray. If you decide to use rollers as well as a 5-gallon bucket, use a roller screen inserted into the bucket. Fill the bucket halfway with paint, and dip your roller into the bucket. Roll and squeeze the roller against the screen to drain any excess paint.
Aside from the rollers, you may need an angled paint brush for cutting in corners or painting trim. For rooms with high walls and ceilings, you may also need to use an extension pole to save you from having to use a ladder.
If your room is of average size, you will likely use primarily brushes. Apart from the regular paint brush, you may also need to use an angled paint brush or a paint pad for cutting in corners. Know which kind of paint you will use so that you will never make a mistake buying the wrong type of brushes. Brushes with natural bristles are best for oil-based alkyd paints, while brushes with synthetic bristles are recommended for water-based latex paints.
When buying paints, you know you want to get the best value for your money. Don’t try to cut corners by buying cheaper paints, however. Chances are the cheaper paints won’t last long and can even damage your walls. Get the best quality paint you can afford from reputable paint brands such as Kelly Moore, Dutch Boy, Sherwin-Williams, or Behr. If you are concerned about your health and the environment, buy paints that have low levels of VOC or no VOC at all. Other commercially-available “green” paints derived from natural sources (milk, plant juices, citrus fruits) are also safe.
It is also important to know which type of finish is suitable for the room you are painting. People generally use matte or flat finishes. For accents, you may also want to use glossy paint (for example, semi-gloss for trim and baseboards). For high-traffic, moisture-prone areas like the kitchen and bathroom, the most recommended finish is the eggshell, though you may also want to use semi-gloss or even glossy paint.
Using the roller, apply paint to the surface with a large “W” pattern, about 3×3 feet. Then paint over the “W” to ensure that no empty space is left, without lifting the roller. Continue painting in the same area until it is completely covered. Repeat this process until the whole area is entirely painted. Let the paint dry, and apply a second coat when needed. If you’re using a paintbrush, begin at the top of the wall and make long, downward strokes to the middle. Or start with a horizontal stroke along the ceiling or baseboard. Then erase brush marks by gently sweeping brush back over the painted area. To cut in corners, use a paint pad or an angled brush. Repeat until the whole area is covered.
Remove painter’s tape while the paint isn’t completely dried yet. You don’t want dried paint to be pulled off with the tape. When the paint is dried, remove the drop cloths and put back the furniture back into the room and replace the fixture covers. You will also want to replace the curtains or shades you removed while painting.
Sure, it takes time and patience to achieve great results, but there are tools and products available that will at least ease your job. Consult your professional painting contractor to do house painting Danville if you are not sure of your skill or you want to be sure to achieve the great results you want.
