When the time has come for the walls of your house to be repainted, you may be tempted to paint them right away. However, before you do, it's important to know some basics about painting that can save you valuable time and effort. The key to getting a smooth, silky finish is preparation. After cleaning the walls and applying primer, you can focus on the outer edges of the walls and continue painting the interior using a color that makes the room pleasing to the eye.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Setting up the Work Area
Step 1. Remove all accessories attached to the wall
Begin preparing the walls by removing knobs, wall outlet covers, light switch cover plates, thermostats (automatic temperature controllers), and other objects that are along the wall. With a clean wall surface without obstructions, the painting process can be carried out more efficiently.
- Most accessories can be unscrew and removed. Be sure to save all small parts such as cover plates and separators, and return them to their respective places.
- If there are objects that cannot be removed, you can cover them with tape.
Step 2. Remove the furniture from the room
Provide a place to store furniture, tools, and other items until the painting project is complete. If you don't have other room for temporary storage, move things away from the wall you're painting. Make sure you cover the remaining furniture with a drop cloth or plastic sheet to protect it from paint.
- When painting, it is almost impossible to prevent the paint from hitting the upholstery of the furniture. So, it's best to keep the furniture covered even if you've moved it away from the wall.
- Unplug all electronic devices and move them to another location that is safe and does not damage them.
Step 3. Spread the drop cloth
Spread a drop cloth from canvas or plastic sheeting to catch paint spills and splatters as you work. For maximum protection, you should spread the drop cloth all the way to the bottom of the wall.
- Do not use thin coverings, such as sheets or newspapers. These materials are too thin for paint to penetrate.
- You don't need to cover the entire floor. Slide the drop cloth where it is needed as you paint from one part of the wall to another.
Step 4. Gently clean the wall surface
Dip a clean cloth or sponge in warm soapy water, then squeeze out the excess water. Rub the cloth against the wall from top to bottom to remove dust and other debris that might interfere with the paint sticking.
- Do this lightly as you only need to clean the walls, not to wet them.
- A small amount of diluted TSP (trisodium phosphate) can be useful for removing dust and dirt in areas that get dirty easily, such as the kitchen or basement.
Step 5. Cover the surface near the wall with paint tape
This tape can be used to protect the trim on the bottom and top of walls, as well as around doors. Tape is also useful for protecting objects that are difficult to remove, such as light switches. Make sure you align the edges of the tape properly so the paint doesn't slant.
- Paint tape can be found in hardware stores, supermarkets, or pharmacies.
- Purchase several tapes of different sizes. This can give you more options for pasting, and provide more coverage to prevent paint from hitting the rest of the wall.
Part 2 of 3: Applying Base Paint
Step 1. Purchase a primer
For most painting projects, the best option is a standard white primer. With this color, the new paint can display the color clearly. Four liters of primer may be enough to handle painting the walls.
- Always use a primer when you paint the interior walls. In addition to helping the main paint to stick well, the primer can also reduce the number of layers of paint that must be applied to get the same color depth.
- Base paint is very useful if you want to change your paint from a dark color to a lighter color.
Step 2. Apply the base paint on the wall using a roller brush
Apply the primer evenly from floor to ceiling, covering the largest area in the center of the wall. This base layer need not be thick. As long as you apply it smoothly and evenly, the main wall paint will stick to the wall easily.
Try not to miss any part of the wall because it can affect the color after painting is complete
Step 3. Use a brush to apply primer to the gaps
Apply primer to small, hard-to-reach crevices with a brush. Pay special attention to corners, niches, and areas around trim and wall accessories. Try to match the thickness with the base paint you applied using a roller brush.
- Apply the base paint in long, smooth strokes, then smooth it by sweeping it in various directions.
- Use paint tape to get more precise lines and angles.
Step 4. Let the primer dry completely
Allow the primer to dry and stick to the wall for about 4 hours. The paint should be dry to the touch before you apply the main coat of paint. It's a good idea to apply the primer in the afternoon or evening, then wait the next day to apply the main paint.
- Applying primary paint to a base that is still wet can cause wrinkles and stains, which will damage the paint finish.
- Keep the room ventilated by opening windows or turning on a fan or air conditioner to speed up the drying of the primer.
Part 3 of 3: Painting the Walls
Step 1. Choose the right paint
There are many options for indoor paint. In addition to color, consider also the desired texture and finish. For example, pastel colors can be used to brighten up a living room or bathroom, while a slightly darker color can add size and dimension to a common area, such as a kitchen.
Buy enough paint so you can finish painting without running out of paint. Four liters of paint is usually enough to handle a wall with an area of 120 square meters
Step 2. Mix the paint evenly
Use an electric paint mixer or a manual paint mixer to mix the paint until it reaches an even consistency, even if the paint was mixed when you bought it. This is to prevent oil and pigment from separating in order to produce a wider coverage and smoother finish. When the texture of the paint is uniform, you're good to go.
- To prevent the paint from spilling and splashing, use a large bucket to mix it up.
- It's important to mix the paints before you paint, whether you're using a recently purchased paint or one you've had for a long time.
Step 3. Start painting the trim (lines) by hand
Dip the tip of the brush about 5 cm deep into the paint, and let the excess paint drip off. Next, apply paint to the wall using the tip of the brush, starting at one of the upper corners of the room. Follow the line along the tape and work your way down in smooth, straight strokes until you've finished painting the outer wall border.
- By painting about 5-8 cm away from the outline, you can paint the remaining wall with a roller brush more easily.
- Dip the brush back into the paint when the paint you've applied starts to fade.
Step 4. Paint the inside of the wall
After you've painted the outer edges of the wall, paint the center of the wall using a wide roller brush. The best method of painting using a roller brush is to apply paint in a pattern such as the letters "M" or "W" alternately, back and forth over the same area until the area is completely covered with paint. After that, you can move on to another section, using the same pattern.
- The roller brush's extendable handle is especially useful for reaching the top wall near the ceiling. Be sure to cover the edges of the wall when you paint.
- Use an appropriate amount of paint to cover the base coat. Applying too much paint on a roller brush can make the paint melt on the top coat and be unsightly.
Step 5. Apply another coat of paint
Depending on the depth of color desired, you can apply a second or even third coat. Do the painting with the same method, starting from the outer edge of the wall towards the inside. Make sure you wait about 2-4 hours before applying a new coat to allow the previous coat to dry completely.
- Most walls don't need more than two coats of paint. However, you may need to apply more paint if the walls are rough, or if you want to change the dark paint color to a lighter color.
- To avoid the appearance of visible wrinkles, inspect the entire wall, including the area around the edge of the wall.
Step 6. Let the paint soak for one night
Look again at the walls to check for small spots, lumps, melted paint, or other problems before you stop the painting process. Allow the main paint to dry in 2 times longer than the base paint. At the same time, resist the urge to touch the paint to prevent unwanted stains from forming.
- Indoor wall paint usually takes 24 to 48 hours to dry.
- Be sure to remove the paint tape when you are satisfied with the look of the walls.
Tips
- You'll have to spend a lot of time on this project, from applying the primer, to painting and drying. Do this task on weekends or holidays so you have plenty of time and are not rushed.
- Fill in any holes and smooth out any uneven areas around trim, corners, or putty marks using fine sandpaper before applying the primer.
- Multiply the length by the width of the room to find the amount of paint needed to complete the painting.
- To get a more suitable color, try coloring the base paint by adding a little paint that you want to use as the main paint.
- Remove the tape while the paint is still wet to prevent the paint from cracking or peeling.
- When painting the walls, also consider painting the doors while you're finishing the painting project.
- If you can't finish painting in one go, rest between sections of the wall. Instead of always cleaning your brushes every time you take a break, you can keep them wet, which will save time and water.
Warning
- Do not allow children and pets to approach freshly painted and not yet dry walls.
- Be careful when climbing benches or stairs. Accidents usually happen because someone acts carelessly.
- If there are exposed, electrocuted wires in the power outlet or light switch, don't touch them while painting.
