If you’ve never painted before, updating your room with a new color may seem to be a bit of a daunting task. But there’s really nothing to worry about. Follow these 10 steps to achieve a smooth painting project with professional results.
1. Remove furniture
Paint is messy. No paint job runs perfectly clean and spatter tends to get in places where we don’t want it to. Remove all furniture from your room so it stays clean. If something is too big to remove, move it to the middle and cover with plastic.
2. Gather your supplies before you start
Save time and added stress by making sure you have the right supplies for your job before you start painting. Items you’ll need:
A brush – For cutting in, a firm 2 ½” Angle Sash works best
1 4” Roller – You’ll want to back roll your cut in to avoid “picture-framing”
A small plastic cut in bucket – for your 4” roller
Dropcloths
Tape
9” Roller Cover
9” Roller Pan
Spackle and spackling knife – If you need to make wall repairs
Screwdriver – so you can remove switch covers
Plastic to cover items in the room
Synthetic Sponge
Ladder
Extension Pole
Paint
Caulk and Caulk Gun
Clothes that you don’t mind getting messy
3. Remove outlet covers
This is much easier and quicker than taping over them. Most have a few screws that can be easily removed with a screwdriver.
4. Tape over trim, door frames, and window frames
Blue painters tape works best to keep unwanted paint from going where you don't want it to go.
5. Cut in and roll your ceilings first
Paint ceilings before walls. If any paint drips down to the walls you can easily paint them over when doing your walls in the next step.
6. Cut in before rolling
Cutting in after rolling out the walls usually leads to unwanted "picture framing."
7. Roll your walls with an extension pole, working all the way from top to bottom
Stay away from the “W” method (working in squares). Going all the way from top to bottom in a linear fashion results in a much more uniform finish.
8. Use the correct brush for cutting in and painting trim
A firm bristle brush offers much more control and a sharper line on cut ins
A softer brush results in a smoother finish on trim
You get what you pay for -- nicer brushes last longer and lead to better results.
9. Remove tape before your paint dries
A common problem is the tape removes some of the paint as well when removed. This leaves a jagged edge. Removing the tape while your paint is still wet keeps your lines sharp.
10. Unless you’re repainting over the exact same or very similar color, plan on 2 coats
Many products are marketed as “Paint and Primer in One.” And are guaranteed to cover in one coat. These paints, and even cheaper paints will cover new drywall or a different color in one coat. However, small spots always get missed on the first coat and doing a second results in a much nicer, more even finish.
These are just a handful of commonly forgotten tips to help your project go as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 636-946-7850 in St Charles or 636-240-5220 in O’ Fallon, or stop by either one of our stores.
Recommended products
Wall paints
PPG Hi-Hide Interior Latex
PPG Manor Hall Interior Latex
Trim paints
PPG Hi-Hide Interior Latex
PPG Manor Hall Interior Latex
PPG Advantage 900
Primers
PPG Speedhide Interior Primer/Sealer=
PPG Seal Grip Interior/Exterior Primer/Sealer
1. Remove furniture
Paint is messy. No paint job runs perfectly clean and spatter tends to get in places where we don’t want it to. Remove all furniture from your room so it stays clean. If something is too big to remove, move it to the middle and cover with plastic.
2. Gather your supplies before you start
Save time and added stress by making sure you have the right supplies for your job before you start painting. Items you’ll need:
A brush – For cutting in, a firm 2 ½” Angle Sash works best
1 4” Roller – You’ll want to back roll your cut in to avoid “picture-framing”
A small plastic cut in bucket – for your 4” roller
Dropcloths
Tape
9” Roller Cover
9” Roller Pan
Spackle and spackling knife – If you need to make wall repairs
Screwdriver – so you can remove switch covers
Plastic to cover items in the room
Synthetic Sponge
Ladder
Extension Pole
Paint
Caulk and Caulk Gun
Clothes that you don’t mind getting messy
3. Remove outlet covers
This is much easier and quicker than taping over them. Most have a few screws that can be easily removed with a screwdriver.
4. Tape over trim, door frames, and window frames
Blue painters tape works best to keep unwanted paint from going where you don't want it to go.
5. Cut in and roll your ceilings first
Paint ceilings before walls. If any paint drips down to the walls you can easily paint them over when doing your walls in the next step.
6. Cut in before rolling
Cutting in after rolling out the walls usually leads to unwanted "picture framing."
7. Roll your walls with an extension pole, working all the way from top to bottom
Stay away from the “W” method (working in squares). Going all the way from top to bottom in a linear fashion results in a much more uniform finish.
8. Use the correct brush for cutting in and painting trim
A firm bristle brush offers much more control and a sharper line on cut ins
A softer brush results in a smoother finish on trim
You get what you pay for -- nicer brushes last longer and lead to better results.
9. Remove tape before your paint dries
A common problem is the tape removes some of the paint as well when removed. This leaves a jagged edge. Removing the tape while your paint is still wet keeps your lines sharp.
10. Unless you’re repainting over the exact same or very similar color, plan on 2 coats
Many products are marketed as “Paint and Primer in One.” And are guaranteed to cover in one coat. These paints, and even cheaper paints will cover new drywall or a different color in one coat. However, small spots always get missed on the first coat and doing a second results in a much nicer, more even finish.
These are just a handful of commonly forgotten tips to help your project go as smoothly as possible. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 636-946-7850 in St Charles or 636-240-5220 in O’ Fallon, or stop by either one of our stores.
Recommended products
Wall paints
PPG Hi-Hide Interior Latex
PPG Manor Hall Interior Latex
Trim paints
PPG Hi-Hide Interior Latex
PPG Manor Hall Interior Latex
PPG Advantage 900
Primers
PPG Speedhide Interior Primer/Sealer=
PPG Seal Grip Interior/Exterior Primer/Sealer