Interior
painting With
the right preparation, painting a room can be easy and fun. Here
are a few steps to help make your room look perfect.
Select your paint carefully.
Flat latex? Oil-based semi-gloss? When choosing a paint, there
are two basic categories to choose from: the kind of paint you
want (oil vs. latex), and the finish you want.
Oil vs. latex
Choosing between oil-based and latex paints often depends on the
paint job at hand. Latex paint is easy to work with, dries
quickly, cleans up with soap and water, and is forgiving of
surface irregularities, but it is more sensitive to changing
temperatures and less durable for high-traffic areas. Oil-based
paint is harder to work with, has a stronger smell, takes longer
to dry, and requires a solvent to clean spills, but it is better
for sealing stains and in high-traffic areas. Oil-based paint is
best used for trim or other specialized projects, while latex is
recommended for larger surfaces.
Finish
Finish is determined by how much shine you want. Finishes range
from flat or matte to high gloss. A flat paint helps to hide
imperfections and calls less attention to color and walls, while
a high gloss is easier to clean. If you’re looking for a
compromise of shine and usability, satin and semi-gloss are both
good choices: they are not too difficult to work with and hold
up against frequent cleaning. Paint manufacturers name their
finishes differently, but a well-informed salesperson at any
home décor store can help you choose the right finish. Bring
the dimensions of your room to make sure you buy enough paint.
A perfect match
When choosing colors, consider the impact of the shade with the
size of the room ?a sunny yellow may brighten up a small
kitchen, but be overwhelming in a large living room. If bold
colors catch your eye, consider painting one wall as an accent,
with the rest of the room a more subdued complementary shade.
Also find a complementary color for your trim. For ceilings,
it’s best to choose white, but if you have chosen a pale
neutral color for the walls ?such as ivory, beige or a light
pastel ?you may consider painting the ceiling in the same
shade. Most importantly, choose a color that you will want to
live with!
Give your walls some attention.
Preparation is key to a successful paint job. A few days before
you paint, examine your walls carefully. Remove any nails or
other hardware. Apply spackle to any cracks, holes or gouges.
Use a low-grit sandpaper to smooth out rough spots on your wall.
Sandpaper will also help to reduce the gloss of existing paint,
making it easier to paint over. When your walls and trim are
fully prepped, wash them thoroughly with Trisodium Phosphate
(TSP) to remove grease, rinse and allow them to dry completely.
On your designated painting day, cover all surfaces you won’t
be painting with drop cloths and tape off edges with a wide
masking tape. Remove light switches, outlets and light fixtures.
Cover fixtures that can't be removed with plastic.
To prime or not to prime?
The decision to prime is based on the quality of the walls or
previous paint job. If your walls are in great condition and are
well painted, a simple cleaning and sanding to reduce gloss will
suffice. If the existing paint is in poor condition, or you have
uncoated walls made of a porous material such as wood or
drywall, you should consider using a primer or sealer. Also use
a primer if you are using a latex paint to paint over oil-based
paint. If you are unsure whether the existing paint is
oil-based, apply some nail-polish remover to a small surface ?
if it becomes shiny, the paint is oil-based. One final reason to
prime is when you are painting over a bright color with a
lighter shade. A primer will help reduce show-through.
Painting in the right order
To achieve the best results, begin with the edges. Use a
3?4?brush to cut in along ceiling and wall edges, around
windows, and in oddly shaped corners where a roller will not
fit. Choose your roller according to the surface that you are
painting: smooth walls need a smooth roller, while rougher
surfaces need a thicker roller.
Paint the ceiling first, working in strips from one end of the
room to the other. When painting walls, begin by applying light
pressure in W formations. Follow this with horizontal stripes,
applying more pressure to the roller, and finish up with careful
stripes from floor to ceiling. Allow the first coat to dry
completely before applying a second coat. When the paint is dry,
remove tape carefully. Tape off trim, and paint it carefully and
evenly. With latex paints, use a synthetic bristle brush for
trim, and with oil-based paints, use a natural bristle brush.
Clean-up
Clean any spills with warm water (for latex) or paint thinner
(for oil-based). Clean brushes and rollers thoroughly and store
them for future use. Don’t forget to dispose of your paint
cans properly ?contact your city to find out about hazardous
waste disposal programs in your area. Finally, remove all drop
cloths, and enjoy your beautiful room!
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