Prepping Basics before you Paint

Painting successfully entails good prepping. Hence, if you are a budding painter or interior designer, the handy painting tips below is sure to lead you into becoming a pro. Because paint will not be able to conceal cracks as well as other flaws in your walls, preparing well before painting is advisable. Through this, you can have a long-lasting foundation and outcome. First things first, you need to transfer your fixtures somewhere farther and then cover them. If some of them cannot be moved, you just have to ensure that they are well-covered. You may also use a drop cloth (preferably out of heavy canvas and sealed back) to ensure lasting protection. This can also be reused throughout the years. If receptacles, radiators, and other electrical devices are present around the room, you may use masking tape and even sheets out of plastic. After this, you may now prep the walls. In doing so, first dust it. Then, you can use an all-around household cleaner to remove spots or those that can affect the paint later. In performing this, be sure that you wear rubber gloves. Do a down-up motion so as to prevent staining. Next, rinse them using sponge with clean water. You may also spackle these blemishes, then allowing them to dry. Spackling means filling holes, as well as cracks and other defects using spackling paste. Following it, you can then sand and patch. To sand, utilize 120 to 150 grit. This will enable you to take off the sheen or gloss from the recent paint coat. Once the surfaces are glossier when touched, you will now prime the walls. In priming, you are covering the imperfections in there. More so, this is a great way to under-coat. However, if you want to paint above the primer, you may opt using a primer that is intended for finish paints. If you will be applying wallpapers, utilize a primer that has “sizing.” This will enable the wallpaper to stick onto the wall as well as aid you when you want to remove it later faster. Next, by using a painter’s tape, fasten on the trim. A cutting brush (2-1/2”) really intended for trimming will then allow you to do this. Half the length of the bristles, dip it then paint through the trim evenly as you keep the paint wet. Then, prior to loading the roller as you prepare to paint, immerse the roller through the water then squeeze until it is damp. This water coat will allow spreading the paint without difficulty onto the surface of the wall. Begin at the top going down using the roller. Paint following a W shape, again making sure that you keep the roller wet as you paint. Coat it evenly and make sure that you do not pull it against the wall. Painting now becomes more efficient!