DIY Resources: Painting an Interior Room is all about Preparation

                                                                                         

Painting the walls of a room is one of the most inexpensive home improvement projects that will dramatically update the look of the room. Painting a room is also extremely easy, but doing a good job requires taking the proper steps to fully prepare the room. In fact, preparation often takes more time than the painting itself. Poor preparation for painting the walls of a room will show through in the final product, and is a common DIY mistake. Below are a few steps to take when preparing a room to be painted:

Have all of the necessary supplies before you begin. Making a trip to the hardware store in the middle of a painting project is not too convenient. Having all of the necessary supplies on hand to complete the job will make your painting project go smoother and help you achieve the quality results you want.

Start with a smooth surface. A uniform wall surface throughout the room will contribute to a professional looking, smooth finish. If there are holes or cracks in the wall, they should be repaired before paint is applied. Ensure that you are using the correct material for your wall surface, such as drywall compound if the surface is drywall. For larger holes you may use a drywall repair kit. Sand away any rough surfaces after the compound has completely dried, usually after 24 hours (refer to manufacturer documentation for application recommendations).

Mask the entire room with painter’s tape. Taping off surfaces that should not be painted is a very important step in the preparation process. Using tape made for painting will yield the best results and facilitate easier tape removal. Tape completely around window frames, door frames, baseboards, ceiling surfaces, banisters, light fixtures and any other surface you do not want paint to touch. Be sure the tape does not leave gaps for paint to seep onto the surfaces you do not want painted.

Cover the floor and furniture. The best way to protect furniture when you paint is to remove it from the room. If that’s not an option, move all of the furniture away from the walls and cover it thoroughly with plastic. The floor should also be covered with protective plastic.

Use primer for a uniform appearance. Especially important if you are painting the room a lighter hue, priming seals the wall surface to create a smooth canvas. It also helps seal any repairs you may have made and helps the paint adhere for a long-lasting finish. Most experts advise priming before painting interior walls.

If you take the time to properly prepare for painting, you can achieve a high quality paint job that will drastically transform the look of the room.

About the author:
Maria Polidoro is the Founder of Ace Tool Online, an authorized distributor for virtually all major power tool manufacturers. Please visit Ace Tool Online to browse the latest Milwaukee cordless tool products as well as Champion tools and 70+ more brands.

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