How to Paint Your Walls Like a Pro

There comes a point you just become sick and tired of the walls that surround you. Fortunately, painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to freshen a room and add some color, which makes it a great weekend DIY project! You can’t just slap some paint on the wall and expect it to look good, however. There are certain wall painting tips and tricks you need to follow to ensure that you get professional results.

1. Prepare before you paint. There are quite a few small but essential steps you need to take when getting ready to paint if you want your walls to look flawless. To begin, you’ll need to remove any wallpaper and scrape off peeling paint with a putty knife. That same knife can then be used to fill any holes more than ⅛-inch deep with patching spackle, after which the area will need to be sanded and touched up with primer. In most cases, it’s a good idea to apply primer to the entire wall before your first coat of paint, particularly if you’re going from dark-to-light or light-to-dark colors. For painting over oil-based paint, you should sand the surface before applying the appropriate primer. It’s also a good idea to cover windows, doors and any furniture with plastic to protect them from the little flecks of paint that tend to fly off of roller covers.
2. Prep the wall’s surface. For the smoothest wall possible, don’t forget to sand. Not only will sanding even out the surface, it will also allow the paint to adhere better. Use 120-grit sandpaper and sand from the top down, making sure to vacuum up the resulting dust and wipe down the walls and trim with a damp cloth.
3. Draw up your plan of attack. Depending on what type of paint you’re using, the paint fumes can get a little overwhelming. Make sure to plan for adequate ventilation while you’re working. As you begin the painting portion of your project, remember to start at the top: ceilings first, then one wall at a time from the top down. Apply two coats for optimal coverage and be sure to use a roller with the appropriate nap thickness. The more textured your wall, the thicker the nap needs to be to get into all the little nooks and crannies. When using a brush for detailed areas, remember to dip your brush no more than one-third of the way into the paint. You’ll use less paint this way, as well as prevent the paint from working its way into the upper bristles, where it’s harder to remove.
4. Finish up with the trim. After the walls dry completely, you can move on to painting the trim. Use painter’s tape to protect the wall-trim edge, pushing it down firmly with a putty knife to create a seal that will keep paint from seeping under the edge of the tape. Then get to painting! Once you’re done, carefully remove the painter’s tape. Don’t wait too long after painting to remove it, or the paint will start to dry and stick, peeling the paint off along with the tape.
5. Cleanup. You’ve now completed a professional-quality painting project on your own! Clean up by storing any remaining paint, removing the protective plastic you put up, and cleaning out your brushes and roller covers. Water-based latex paint cleans up easily with warm, soapy water, though it may take some time to work all the paint out of the bristles. Oil-based paints will require some kind of cleaning solvent, such as mineral spirits or paint thinner. Once clean, brushes should be reshaped and hung to dry, while roller covers should be dried in an upright position, then covered until the next use.

Call for Professional Handyman Painting Services

If painting isn’t your thing, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the handyman painting services in your area. A quick call to Handyman Connection at 1-800-88-HANDY will get you a FREE, no-obligation estimate and a handyman painter who will do the job right from start to finish!