Indoor House Painting
When one talks of indoor house painting, what usually comes to mind is how difficult it can be. What some people don’t know is that painting can actually be fun and easy. Here are some tips on how to do it.
Prep It!
Before starting any painting project, you should first prepare the area. See if there are any holes or cracks that need repair. Cover holes with spackle or plaster and remove the excess with a spackle blade or sandpaper. Resin deposits in wood knots must also be removed, as these may mess up with the paint. Then wash the surface using heavy-duty detergent.
Move all furniture to the center and cover them with a plastic drop. The floor must also be covered with plastic drop. Make sure that these covers are secured. If painting is confined to the walls, you can use a drop cloth. Other parts like light fixtures, curtain rods or door knobs which are not to be painted must likewise be covered and masked well.
When these are done, primer may now be applied. Take note that the primer must be compatible with the paint that you shall be using.
Choose the Right Paint
There are many kinds of paint that are available in the market today. There are two basic types – latex and alkyd. Latex is water-based, while alkyd is that which is solvent-thinned. Then you would have to choose between gloss, semi-gloss, satin and flat finishes.
When you’ve decided on the kind of paint, the next question shall be the paint color. Choose a color that would blend well with the theme of the room and would best accentuate the furniture and other room details.
Paint it!
There are ways to apply paint. You can use a brush, roller or spray. Rollers and sprays are advised for large areas. For smaller areas like windows, use a brush. For trims, a trim guide is advised. Remember to mix the paint thoroughly prior to application, as it tends to separate when left unmoved. It is important that the paint be of the same consistency when used.
If you are to paint an entire room, paint the ceiling first. For rollers with short handles, you might need a step ladder. Otherwise, the roller handle should be long enough to reach the ceiling. Work from the edge moving in towards the center. If you wish to use a sprayer, wear protective gear like goggles and hat. Make sure that you cover areas that are not to be included.
When you are done with the ceiling, the next areas to work on are the walls. But if there is a trim between the ceiling and wall, paint the trim first before the wall. Move the roller in one direction for a smooth finish. If you want to finish faster, you can spray paint the wall. But the spray may be a bit difficult to control.
Once the walls are done, paint the windows and door. For flat doors, you can use a roller. For paneled doors, start with the panels first, then with the horizontals, and finally with the verticals.
Indoor house painting is not difficult to do. Just make sure to have all the necessary tools and observe all precautionary measures before starting any painting project. So if you are thinking of repainting your walls, why not do it yourself. Not only have you saved a lot of money. You also had a lot of fun!
Under House Painting Tips