House Painting Tips
Painting the interior or exterior of a home is an inexpensive way to change the looks of a home quickly. A fresh coat of paint makes dingy old walls look clean and new with just a little effort. If you have never undertaken a painting project, you may be surprised to learn that it is really not that difficult. Once you get organized and started on a new house painting project, you will have the job done in no time. Review these tips for house painting to get started.
Step 1
Before beginning a new house painting project inventory supplies. Whether you are painting interior walls or exterior surfaces, most of the basic tools needed for painting will be the same. If you are painting outdoors, you will most assuredly need a ladder to reach high places. Visit a hardware store, paint store or home improvement store for purchasing paint supplies. Basic items include paint, drop cloths, painter’s tape, plastic sheeting, paint brushes, paint trays, screw drivers, stirring sticks, cleaning solutions, paint rollers and paint pads. Some house painting projects may also require patching compound, spackle and sand paper for making minor repairs.
Step 2
Choose the proper type of paint for each house painting project. The key to selecting the right type of paint is the surface that will be painted and its location. Always use a top grade exterior paint for anything painted outdoors except for metal or masonry that may require special paint. Matte, flat and satin finish paints are used primarily on interior walls of the home such as game rooms, living rooms and family rooms. Areas of the home that have high moisture content or walls that may need scrubbing such as kitchens and bathrooms should be painted with durable semi-gloss and a high-gloss finish for trim. If you need recommendations about the proper type of paint to use for your house painting project, ask the sales people in a paint store or home improvement store.
Step 3
Always clean and prepare surfaces before you begin painting. Even the best quality paint will not adhere well to dust and grease. Cleaning surfaces is essential for a successful house painting project both indoors and outdoors. Well-prepared surfaces can help to reduce poor paint coverage, peeling and streaking. Some colors may require the application of a primer before painting. Repair holes or damage to all walls and surfaces, which may include patching, sanding and scraping.
Step 4
Before purchasing paint, you need to calculate how much paint is required for an individual room or the whole house. Determine the total square footage for painting. For example, to get the square footage of one wall, you measure the length of the wall and the height of the wall. Multiply these numbers together and you have the total square footage of the wall. Take the measurements of all the walls in a room and add the total square footage of each wall together to get the total square footage for the entire room. Buy about 10 percent extra paint over your calculations.
Step 5
Some of the simplest things in house painting cleanup are often overlooked and can result in wasting paint and ruining brushes. Clean paint out of brushes and paint trays at the end of each day of painting with water or paint thinner according to manufacturer's instructions. Leaving a paint brush in a paint tray or a can of paint ruins brushes and paint. Tamp paint can lids on tightly after each use.
Conclusion
Use a paint roller for better coverage and quicker application where possible. Expect to take a lot of extra time for painting trim work. Check the manufacturers can for square footage coverage to determine how many cans of paint to buy.
