Today we are going to give you a simple step-by-step tutorial on how to paint a home like a professional. Every year, thousands of homeowners decide to take on the responsibility of painting their homes themselves because it may seem easy enough and could save them some bucks in the process. However, when they wake up the next day with all their furniture stacked by the wall and drop sheets covering every square inch of the floor from the door to their furniture, they realize that this was not such a good idea after all. Even though many have been through this scenario before, for some reason they keep coming back for more.
Well, if you want an easier way out – hire a professional handyman! There is nothing wrong with delegating tasks especially when it comes to getting a professional painter like us to do the job right. You can trust us to take care of everything and oversee every step and detail within the process making sure each product we use does exactly what it is supposed to do.
Before you start
Before getting started, consider the size and scope of this job. If it is just for one room or part of a room, then preparing everything will be significantly less than if an entire house was getting a fresh coat of paint. Also, consider your skill level and whether you want to spend money on professional painters or do the job yourself. It is important to remember that not all paints are created equally, so make sure you know what kind of paint will be used when considering how long the job may take and how much preparation needs to be done beforehand.
Preparation
When it comes to actually painting the wall with the chosen colour, most people do not think about prep work. Before applying anything to the wall itself, however, there are three things that should be done before getting started:
- Fill holes Fill nail holes and small divots by using spackle, putty, or joint compound.
- Sweep/vacuum dust off the walls with a broom or vacuum before painting to prevent any dust from falling onto the wet paint and creating small “pock” marks on the surface.
- Clean the wall by washing it down with water and soap (or whatever cleaner is best for your specific type of wall material) to remove any dirt or oil that could keep paint from adhering properly. If you are using oil-based primer, be sure to wait until it dries before priming over it so you do not “muddy” your new colour on top of an older layer of dark brown.
Prime
If your walls are previously painted (e.g. some older houses), you may be able to skip this step altogether, as some primers (called “paint + primer”) can work as both a primer and as the first coat of paint. If your walls are bare wood, however, use an oil-based primer before painting to ensure that your colour coat adheres properly. Oil-based primers are typically thought to provide better coverage in less time than water-based ones.
Paint
When choosing which paint or combination of paints will lead you to the best results, consider what kind of finish you want for your walls. Flat finishes cause less light reflection and absorb more heat from sunlight, while semi-gloss finishes have a shiny but not mirror-like look, and high-gloss finishes reflect light extremely well. If you want a shiny finish but don’t want to spend the money on expensive paints, consider mixing flat paint with gloss at a ratio of one part flat/matte to two parts gloss. This will give your walls a medium-shine finish that isn’t as shiny as using all high-gloss paint would be.
When it comes time to actually apply the paint, make sure you have either a brush or roller for smooth surfaces and another for textured ones (e.g. if you can see ridges in your current paint job). Make sure you choose brushes or rollers that are appropriate for your desired finishing texture – for instance, spackling requires a more plastic-like brush with a finer tip, while a roller with a thick nap is needed for textured walls. If you are covering up any existing paint on your walls, be sure to use the same brand of primer and paint that your previous colour was. Using different products can cause discolouration or peeling in the future! A good rule of thumb when it comes to choosing between brands is to always go from cheaper products to pricier ones – for instance, if you have an old wall that needs touch-ups but do not wish to make a big purchase right now, buy “inexpensive” (whatever price range you set) paints first; only spend more if they don’t work out. This will save you money in the long run since you won’t have to repurchase more paint if your less-expensive colours do not work.
In conclusion
With all that said, there is no “right way” of painting walls – some people prefer free handing the entire surface with a brush, while others like using rollers for large areas and brushes for cutting in around corners or textured surfaces. If you are new to painting, it may be best to seek advice before beginning the project.
