How to Paint Your Walls
Painting is the one job that the home
handyperson is more likely to tackle than any other job around the
home. It’s the one where the least amount of things can go wrong,
right? But there are some things that can go wrong and you won’t
know it until a few months have passed. Imagine your shock and
horror when those layers of paint come flaking off, just a few
months after all that hard work. How could this be? It’s simple; you
didn’t wash the wall down properly first. There is mostly a layer of
grease or scum that builds up on walls, particularly kitchen and
bathroom, so paint will not adhere properly to the wall unless it is
removed. Washing down with the proper ingredients may seem
unnecessary, especially if the walls look clean, but it is one of
the most important tasks.
But wait! First you must buy the proper paint. External paint for
all outside painting including the covered-in veranda or deck and
windowsills that get lots of sunlight; special paint for wet/steamy
areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Ceiling paint for ceilings – it’s
thicker and doesn’t splatter as much. Keep away from cheap paints.
This is hard work and you want it to last as long as possible.
So scrub, then rinse if necessary. Allow to dry, and then fill any
cracks or holes with putty. Sand the putty smooth when it is dry.
Also sand back anywhere there is loose paint. If there are patches
where there is no paint, daub those spots with a sealer/undercoat
combo along with the putty spots. Place masking tape along edges
where the paint is to finish and along light switches and
window/door frames. If this takes all day, don’t sweat it, just do
it. Many people prefer to remove the light fixtures and doorknobs
completely.
Only when everything is properly prepared can you start to paint.
Make sure there is plenty of air in the room; leave the doors and
window open. Set the can of paint and the tray on layers of
newspaper. Of course, you will have removed all the adornments such
as pictures before you started. Cover all furniture that cannot be
removed from the room with plastic or cotton sheets. Cover the
flooring with plastic sheets. Bring in the ladder if you need it.
Use a roller for large areas and a brush for the edges. Buy a good
quality brush or you’ll end up with hairs throughout your paint.
Leave the first coat to dry. If you are using a water-based paint
this will only be a couple of hours, but an oil-based paint requires
longer drying time.
If the original paint was in fairly good condition, you may only
need one or two coats of paint, depending on the color. If you are
changing the color scheme from dark to light, you may need more.
Allow the paint to dry before removing the tape and replacing
furniture and bric-a-brac.
Tip: If you’ve used the ladder for outside jobs, the feet may have a
build-up of dried mud or dirt. Clean it off before you take it
inside.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
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