Brush up on your skills: House Painting Tips from Professionals

Want to DIY your house painting project? We have the inside scoop on how to achieve a flawless result. From start to finish, we will guide you on the best way to prepare, the tools to buy, and the most effective techniques to use.

Secrets for a Fantastic Makeover: Learn how to paint like a pro!

Preparation is Key!

Decide “weather” it is the right time to paint. Work on rain-free days so humidity does not keep the paint from drying. Regarding the timing of your project, painting should be ⅔ prep to ⅓ painting.

Smooth Sailing:

Create a smooth surface and prepare your walls properly to achieve an even finish. Be sure to protect your floor and furniture with proper covering. Use a canvas or paper-backed plastic cloth to prevent leakage into your floor.

The list below will guide you with your prep, and our Fairfield County house painters have highlighted key materials you’ll need for painting a room.

Remove any hardware, fixtures, decor, and outlet covers.

• Caulk: Seal gaps or cracks in various surfaces using a flexible material called caulk. For the cleanest results, use a “dripless” caulk.
• Use spackle to fill in nail holes, small cracks, or dents in drywall. Spackle dries fast and works in high-moisture areas.
• Use wood filler to fill in damage to wooden areas.
• Sandpaper your walls with 120 or 150-grit paper.
  
  

First, coat your walls with a primer to even out the surface and help the paint to stick correctly.

Use a bonding primer if you are painting over glossy surfaces, difficult-to-paint materials like glass, places where you made repairs, and any area that are stained that might bleed through.

Safety first!

Before beginning any painting work, properly ventilate your space. Open windows and doors where possible. If necessary, wear a respirator to filter the air you breathe.

Clean the surface for optimal results.

Your surface needs to be immaculate to allow for the best paint adhesion. For cleaning the walls, we suggest:

• Vacuuming and dusting the areas to be painted
• Using TSP solution: Trisodium Phosphate removes dirt, grease, and residue.
• Using bleach to sanitize and for stubborn stains like smoke and other contaminants.
  
  

Setting up for success: The right tools of the trade:

1. Choice of Paint:

Choose a high-quality paint and consider the type you will need. Also, consider the lighting, maintenance, and appearance of the paint you’ll be using. Keep in mind the level of traffic and moisture in the room you are painting, too.

Glossy paints resist stains but show any imperfection in your painting method.

Semi-gloss paint has a noticeable sheen, is highly reflective of light, and has a smooth, shiny texture. It is easy to clean and ideal for high-traffic areas like baseboards, trim, bathrooms, and front doors. It also stands up to moisture and humidity, making it a good option for bathrooms and easy to clean.

• Eggshell is highly durable and often used in lower-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms. It hides imperfections well and is highly resistant to stains and dirt, making it easy to clean.
• Satin is an excellent choice for painting moderate to high-traffic areas with low moisture content.
• Be sure to “box” your paint. This term refers to putting your various cans of paint into one large bucket to ensure consistency of hue for the whole job.
  
  

2. Brushes:

A quality paintbrush lasts longer, holds more paint, and applies paint evenly without leaving brush marks or shedding bristles. When shopping, consider:

Flexibility: A good brush flexes at the tips and springs back into shape.

• Flagged Bristles: Machine-distressed tips are a different color, providing a more even finish.
• No Gaps: Quality bristles will not expose the handle when pulled apart.
• Handle Preference: Professional painters prefer unfinished wooden handles for better grip.
• Ferrule Quality: Look for firmly attached copper or stainless-steel ferrules that resist rust.
• Size: Brushes range from 1-6 inches, and your choice will depend on how tight the space is. Wide open spaces can take a larger brush instead of a smaller one, requiring more precision.
  
  

3. Roller/Nap selection

The “nap” of a roller refers to the length of the cover’s fibers. Each roller works differently and is best for a specific surface.

Short Nap 1/4-inch

Short rollers are perfect for smooth surfaces, offering excellent coverage without texture. They can be used for cabinets, doors, and smooth drywall.

Medium Nap ⅜ inch

3/8-inch rollers work on semi-smooth, slightly textured surfaces, ideal for ceilings, lightly textured walls, and painted concrete.

Long Nap ¾ -1 inch

3/4 to 1-inch rollers are meant for highly textured surfaces, holding more paint for brick walls, concrete blocks, and stucco.

4. Painter’s Tape: Painter’s tape is essential for achieving clean, sharp lines when painting. It allows for clean edges and prevents paint from bleeding onto adjacent surfaces for crisp lines. It protects trim, windows, and floors from splatters and drips. Finally, it saves time by reducing the need for touch-ups and cleanup after painting.
   
   

5. Additional tools:

Extension poles for hard-to-reach areas

Use a bright light to find and circle imperfections.

Use a “box grid” inside your bucket to reduce spills, achieve the right amount of paint, and eliminate the need for a messy roller pan.

What is the plan?

Before you get to work, make an overall plan for how and when you will paint. Here is how professional house painters tackle their projects:

1. Paint ceilings first so that if any paint drips down, you will paint over it later.
2. Next, paint the walls using a roller for larger areas.
3. After the walls dry, paint the trim, baseboards, and molding.
4. Finish with doors and window frames for a polished look.
5. Touch-Up: Finally, inspect for missed spots or imperfections and touch up as needed.
6. Apply one coat of primer and two coats of paint. Allow enough time for the paint to dry between coats.
   
   

Brush choice and technique:

1. Select a brush appropriate for the type of paint and surface (e.g., synthetic bristles for water-based paint, natural bristles for oil-based paint).
2. Prep Your Brush: Before painting, dip the Brush in water (for latex paints) or solvent (for oil paints) to help the paint flow smoothly.
3. Load the Brush Properly: Dip the bristles about a third of the way into the paint and tap off excess on the side of the container.
4. Cutting In: For edges, hold the Brush at a slight angle and use short, even strokes to create clean lines.
5. Filling in: Use long, smooth strokes to fill in larger areas—work from wet to dry to avoid visible lines.
6. Maintain a Wet Edge: Work in sections and keep a wet edge to avoid lap marks. Do not let painted areas dry before blending in new strokes.
7. Feathering: To blend strokes, lightly drag the Brush over the edge of the wet paint to soften transitions.
   
   

Roller technique:

1. Use a grid approach and paint in 3-4 ft sections.
2. Use a W pattern: using the roller, create a W shape on the wall, filling the empty spaces. Repeat until the wall is covered.
3. Avoid “lap marks” by keeping a wet edge. Apply paint a short distance away from the portion you just painted and roll or brush back into that wet area to prevent lap marks.
   
   

Take care of your tools:

1-Store brushes in a bucket of clean water

2-Wash roller and its cover in warm water

3- Cover brushes and rollers in plastic wrap to store

Transform your space like the pros with the right preparation, tools, and techniques. Happy painting! If you do not have the time, patience, or energy to DIY, consider hiring our team of house painters.

At Kevin Roberts Painting & Design, we are meticulous on all our projects. In fact, we are obsessed with delivering top-notch customer service throughout Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties. Call us on 914-741-2791 or schedule an appointment to get a free estimate.