Painting your home is an exciting endeavor. Maybe you’re changing up the colors in your living room for a fresh new vibe, or perhaps you want to redo your exterior paint to enhance your home’s curb appeal. No matter what your vision is, you probably can’t wait to see the final results! However, there is more to your project than slapping on a new coat of paint. Prepping before painting is an important part of the overall process, and without the proper prep work, your final result might be disappointing.
Preparation is key to a great paint job. Adequately preparing your surface before painting will:
- allow the paint to adhere to your walls better for a smoother application
- lessen the likelihood of peeling, blistering, or flaking paint
- help your paint job last longer
- improve the overall finish and color
- protect your surrounding surfaces and possessions
In this post, we’re going to go over some steps you need to take – before you pick up that paintbrush!
1. Clean the Surface
It’s important to clean your walls before painting to remove any dust, grime, cobwebs, or stains. This allows the paint to adhere to the surface better. Cleaning walls before painting helps the paint to last longer, so you’ll need fewer touch-ups in the future.
To clean before painting, you can wipe your walls with a sponge or damp cloth dipped in a solution of warm water, vinegar, and mild detergent. Rinse with clean water and a clean cloth and allow the walls to dry completely before painting. If you’re painting your exterior, you may want to consider using a pressure washer or high-pressure hose to rid your walls of excess dirt, grime, mold, or mildew.
2. Repair Any Imperfections
Addressing any imperfections on your walls before painting will ensure a smooth, quality final result. Scrape away any debris and fill any small holes or cracks with a spackling compound. Professional house painters recommend allowing the spackling compound to dry fully before continuing with your project to achieve the best results.
3. Sand Surfaces
Sanding might not be required for every paint job, but some areas may need attention before you paint your interior. This includes spots where you’ve added spackle, rough patches, dull or uneven surfaces, high-gloss finishes, or areas with cracked or flaking paint. Sanding these sections removes imperfections and ensures the paint adheres properly for a smooth finish.
The grit of the sandpaper you choose will depend on the type of paint previously used. For walls, sandpaper with a grit of 150-200 is generally ideal. Avoid using a grit lower than 100, as it may be too coarse and could damage your surface. If you’re preparing to paint your interior, using an electric sander can also make the process quicker and more efficient.
4. Use Painter’s Tape
Painter’s tape helps protect surfaces that aren’t going to be painted (like door frames, baseboards, adjacent walls, or window frames), allowing you to achieve straight, clean lines. Applying painter’s tape around your edges might seem tedious, but in the end, it will save you a lot of time compared to slowly painting around trims and edges. Painter’s tape is specially formulated to adhere to your wall without leaving behind any residue.
When applying painter’s tape you can use small sections ranging anywhere from 6 inches to an arm’s length at a time. Lay the tape against your trims, pressing firmly as you go to seal the edge.
5. Protect Your Furnishings
Before painting, you’ll need to protect your furniture, decor, and floors from drips or splatters. Whenever possible, remove furnishings from the room or move them to the center of the space. Use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to cover heavy furniture that can’t be moved, securing it with tape or straps to prevent slipping. This preparation is especially important for specialized projects, such as Stucco Painting and Repair Services, where extra care may be needed to protect surfaces. Don’t forget to use drop cloths to safeguard your floors from paint spills!
6. Use Paint Primer
Primer is used as a base coat to help treat your surface before applying your paint. Paint primer creates a smooth, uniform surface for the paint to stick to, resulting in better paint adhesion which will look better and last longer. Primer helps to conceal imperfections and stains and may reduce the overall number of coats of paint you’ll need, saving time and money. Don’t skip out on the primer! In some cases, you can use a 2-in-1 paint and primer, also known as self-priming paint.
Prepping before painting might seem like a lot of work and effort, but trust us, it will be well worth it in the long run. However, if you’d like to save yourself some time, consider hiring a professional painter. They can take care of every step of your project, from prep work to painting to clean up, freeing up your time for other things. Plus, when you hire a professional, you know the final result will be stunning! For more information on our interior and exterior painting services, contact us at Perry Wellington.