Interior painting basics

Interior painting

When painting a room, it is best to paint the ceiling first, followed by the walls, with the trim, cabinets, and doors painted last. Work from top to bottom. To maintain a wet edge, only cut one wall at a time before you begin roller painting.

Brushes are used to cut around the ceiling, trim, windows and doors before using a roller. They are also used to paint trim, window frames and doors. Various brush sizes are available in both straight edge and angled blade. Your choice depends on the size of the area you are painting and whether you prefer an angled ruler or blade. Rollers save a lot of time for painting larger flat surfaces such as ceilings and walls. Roller covers come in various pile lengths. Your choice depends on whether the surface to be painted is smooth or more textured. The more textured the surface, the longer the lint needs to be to allow the fibers to push the paint into the cracks in the surface.

High-quality applicators will provide the best painting results. Cheap or poor quality applicators can make better quality paint look and perform poorly. Inexpensive roller covers don’t spread paint evenly over the surface and often leave roller lint on the wall. Inexpensive brushes are more difficult to use because they don’t spread paint evenly and leave unsightly brush marks. High-quality applicators can be cleaned and reused.

When painting, always work from the dry area to the adjoining wet paint area. Use the “N” technique when using a roller. Fully load the roller. Apply paint in an “N” shape in a 2¹ x 2¹ area. Fill the center of the “N” with horizontal strokes from side to side. Lightly smooth the painted area with vertical strokes from top to bottom. Continue using the “N” pattern with a newly loaded roller directly under the first “N”, working your way to the bottom of the wall.

Time Saving Tip: If you take a short break from painting, you can wrap the applicators tightly in a plastic bag or aluminum foil instead of washing them.

Always be sure to stir paint well before use and do not thin paint. If you are using more than one gallon of the same color, mix them together to ensure color consistency. Paint when room and surface temperatures are 50 ° F or higher. Avoid touching, cleaning, or wetting a freshly painted surface for 30 days to allow the paint to fully cure. After 30 days, the painted surface can be cleaned with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner and water. Do not place or hang objects on the surface until the paint is completely dry.

Remember: it is important to follow the instructions on the back of the paint label. It contains the most important information you need for your painting project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *