DIY Painting Tips
Even if you love everything about your home, sometimes a little change is needed. The easiest and least expensive way to revamp your space is with a change of color. A coat or two of a fresh new shade of paint can provide a fresh take on a room, a hallway, or even the outside of your house. While painting can be messy and time-consuming, it is a rewarding process and one that can be mastered with a few tips and tricks.
Collect the Tools for Interior Painting
You will want approximately one gallon of paint per 400 square feet of wall. If you are painting a darker wall a lighter color or working on a textured surface, you will need approximately 10% more paint, and a primer would also be helpful. Each interior painting project is different, but these basic tools are necessary for any job:
- Drop cloths
- Paintbrushes
- Paint roller and extension pole
- Paint tray
- Painter’s tape
- Putty knife
- Rags (or paper towels)
- Sandpaper
Do the Prep Work
Push furniture to the center of the room and use drop cloths to protect your floors, countertops, cabinets, or anything else that might get splattered. Remove outlet and light switch covers and use painter’s tape to cover crown moldings, baseboards, and window and door casings. Perform drywall repair on any nicks or cracks in the walls before you get started with your interior painting. Finally, stir the paint well with a wooden paint stick to fully blend the ingredients and ensure a consistent color.
Apply the Paint
Be sure you have a solid interior painting strategy before you start. Best practice is to start with the ceiling. Do one wall at a time, using a brush to “cut in” and a roller (applied with long strokes) for the larger portion of the wall. For trim painting, wait for the walls to dry before taping them, then start with the highest trim and work your way down.
Exterior Painting Tips
Exterior painting techniques are very similar to interior painting, except you’re working outside so first be sure you have dry weather. Priming should include washing the exterior, scraping off loose paint, sanding the rough spots, filling and repairing holes and imperfections, applying primer, and caulking joints. Latex paint is a great choice for exterior paint jobs because it’s easy to apply, dries fast, and cleans up easily. A protective top coat is also needed.
Call the Pros for Interior Painting
Painting is not for everyone. If you decide your interior painting job is too complex, your exterior painting job is too big, or you just need an expert to touch up your work, give Jimenez Painting a call.
