In recent years, painting has become somewhat of a pet project for many people who like to do stuff themselves.
Apart from being a very affordable option, doing a fresh coat of paint provides a crisp look to your room at an affordable cost.
Though most people tend to hire professional painting services to do this kind of work, there’s no harm in trying to learn and do it yourself.
However, like any skill, painting also requires you to learn certain things before practically doing it.
So, in this article, we as a company that provides both interior and exterior house painting services present you with some tips to help you paint like a pro.
1- Remove Light Switch & Outlet Covers
After you have decided the room which you are going to paint, start by unscrewing any and all outlet covers and the electrical switches from the walls.
Always remember to put the light switch or outlet screws in a plastic bag so that they don’t get lost.
Also, if the outlet covers or screws are not of the same size then make sure the similar ones are in separate bags.
To quickly install the covers after you are done painting, you can write down the location of the outlets on the front of the plastic bag.
This is the first thing that we at Total Care Painting do when people use our painting services.
2- Always Go For Large Scale Paint Swatches
Rather than choosing a sample size paint for swatching, always go for large scale paint swatches.
Why?
For a simple reason, i.e. visualization.
To explain in detail, let me put it this way.
A large scale paint swatch will allow you to visualize and see what the paint would look like on the wall.
It will give you the freedom to move it around the room, and if you don’t like it, simply take it off the walls. You don’t get this option with painted swatches.
A part of our high-quality painting services here at Total Care Painting is to always choose large scale paint swatches as they are truly the best option.
3- Room Protection
An overlooked yet important aspect of painting your room are the measures that you need to take to protect it.
Drop cloths are a must and should be used to cover the furniture and the floor from the paint.
In addition to that, a painter’s tape should also be used around the window frames and moldings.
As a provider of painting services, our number one tip to you would be to apply firm pressure on the tape.
Why?
Because it will ensure that the paint doesn’t get under the tape.
4- Prepping The Walls
It is essential to do some prepping of your walls before you start to paint. A good practice is to fill all the holes in the wall with a paste (spackling) with the help of a putty knife.
After the paste has dried, use sandpaper to make the area smooth. Then take a damp cloth and wipe down the walls to remove any dust from sanding.
5- Lining Your Paint Tray
Plastic tray liners, plastic bags, or a piece of tin foil can be used to line your paint tray. This will help you clean your paint tray easily, rather than spending time on scrubbing it after you’re done painting the room.
6- Cut In Walls & Ceilings
As a company providing professional painting services, we cannot overstate the importance of this step enough. It is advised that you mark or cover the areas that cannot be easily painted with a paintbrush.
When you paint close to the ceiling use a narrow paintbrush, as it will help in preventing the paint from splattering on the ceiling.
7- Extending Your Reach While Painting
Our last and final pro tip to you is to purchase an extendable paint roller. Alternatively, find a paint roller that has an option to add a handle to the base to extend its reach. This will help you in painting your ceiling and large walls without climbing.
Common Questions Beginners May Ask:
1) Can I just paint over old paint?
The short answer is ‘it depends’. For some people painting over an old painted wall might be an easier and time-saving option, for others not so much.
However, if you do want to paint over an old wall, I suggest priming. A primer will gel with the old paint in the best manner. For ideal results, using one coat of paint along with one coat of primer would suffice.
2) What is the correct order to paint a room?
It is a common practice for painters, or companies providing professional painting services, to paint a room in a pre-planned order. A great method in this regard is to paint the ceilings first and then move on to the walls.
Normally, the best practice is to paint large areas like walls before actually repainting the trim. The reason for it is that you will be able to work in a well-mannered and quick way when painting open areas.
This will also lessen the occurrence of roller spatters or errant brush strokes depending on the accuracy and professional experience of the painter.
3) Are paint pads any good?
Yes! Not only do they give good coverage, but they also provide an even and smooth finish. In comparison to rollers, they are much cleaner due to the non-existence of spray.
They also need reloading, however, they make up for it by completing the job faster than rollers. The best place to use a paint pad is for your ceiling due to its smooth finish.
Final Words
We hope that you found these tips useful and will implement them once you start painting your room.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a company that provides professional painting services, simply search for ‘professional painting services near me’. Or contact us and we will do the job for you at affordable rates.