A fresh coat of paint is a great way to update any room, but it’s not always as easy as people think. Specific steps need to be followed to get that professional finish.
Here, Dylan Ritter, owner, along with his wife, Scout Turner, of CertaPro Painters of Nashville and Middle TN, provides some expert tips to achieve that perfect look.
TOOLS
Determine the right rollers and brushes needed. If you have textured drywall, you'll need a heavier nap roller to fill in the paint and achieve a uniform finish in the texture. If it's a smooth wall, you’ll want a very low nap roller.
Brushes can be synthetic or horse hair, and if there are a lot of angles in the trim, you’re going to need an angled brush.
Other tools include a ladder, putty knives, a level, drop clothes, paint stirrers, roller pans, and a pencil. Lasers are great for trimming out lines.
PREPARATION
First, inspect the room to see what items need to be removed. Items that cannot be removed need to be adequately covered.
Then, determine which floor covering will be best. Carpet would need a drop cloth, while hardwood would need a thicker type of board covering.
Next, to make sure the paint will adhere properly, clean any debris on the walls or trim. For cobwebs, a simple towel will do, but if you have any greasy stains, you’re going to need an effective cleaner, such as TSP.
Once that’s done, sand areas with failing paint, and caulk any exposed or failing joints in baseboards, crown molding, or windows. Use drywall mud to fill in any nail holes and skim coat uneven walls.
While that’s drying, use painter’s tape to tape off the trim.
PAINTING
Even though many paints now include primer, you should still prime raw wood areas, high-traffic areas, water stains, mildew, and anything else that could potentially bleed through the newly applied paint.
There are many different types and brands of paints. It’s essential to determine whether the room you’re painting is a high or low traffic area, and to also know the aesthetic you’re looking for. For example, do you want a high sheen or a low sheen? As far as brands, we use Sherwin-Williams®.
Before pouring the paint into the roller pan, attach a spout to the can, preferably one with a filter. We also use a bucket grid. It captures any debris that you may have picked up from transferring paint to the pan, then from the pan to the roller. While professionals typically don’t use them, pan liners make clean-up a lot easier.
Before pouring, also make sure the paint is thoroughly mixed. If you bought the paint that day or the day before, you can just stir it with a wooden stick. But if you bought it, say, a month ago, I would recommend bringing it back to the store and having it shaken in the machine.
The order in which to paint would be ceilings first, then walls, and lastly, trim. If you cannot finish a room in one day, ensure you complete one wall corner to corner so there’s no visible transition.
Also, be sure to put the paint back into the original can and hammer down the lid. Clean all of the brushes so you can reuse them, and wrap the rollers in plastic.
CLEAN UP
When finished with the entire job, thoroughly clean the brushes and rollers.
Remove floor coverings and wait at least four to six hours before moving furniture back in. Before hanging anything on the walls, wait 24 to 48 hours.
Then, sit back and enjoy your beautifully refreshed room.
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When finished with the entire job, thoroughly clean the brushes and rollers.