Victoria Home Repairs: 4 DIY Painting Mistakes

Since interior painting seems relatively straightforward, many homeowners take the do-it-yourself approach rather than hiring painting services in Victoria. However, painting can get messy and complicated, especially if you have chandeliers, oddly shaped rooms and a lot of square footage. Eventually, amateurs may struggle with a project and wish they’d left it to the professionals. If you want beautiful results without the headache, avoid these four DIY mistakes.

1. Using Too Much Paint

The more paint you put on your roller, the fewer times you have to reload it. As a result, you can get through the job faster — right?

While this idea seems logical, overloading your roller creates all sorts of problems. For example, excess paint may drip off your roller and leave streaks. If you move too quickly, the paint may fly off the roller and land somewhere it shouldn’t be. In a nutshell, overloading paint makes it difficult to control.

For optimal control, just dip the roller in the paint tray. The bottom half will absorb the perfect amount of paint, and even rolling motions will gradually spread the pigment across the roller and wall.

2. Not Preparing the Room

You may be tempted to start painting the moment you purchase your preferred colour, but it’s better to prepare first. Making the necessary preparations means less time cleaning up afterward and a more precise paint job.

To prepare a room for painting, remove all furniture — you don’t want paint splattered on your nice couch. If items are too heavy to move, cover them with plastic sheeting. Once the room is clear, lay plastic sheeting or drop cloths over the floors. Next, apply painter’s tape to the edges, such as the top of the baseboards. Painter’s tape has a weak adhesive, so you don’t have to worry about damaging objects it sticks to. Take your time laying the tape and smoothing it out, as perfect application means fewer touch-ups afterward. Finally, peel off the tape while the paint is still wet to reveal a clean line.

3. Skipping Primer

Before you start applying your chosen paint, you need primer. Some paints already contain primer, but you may need a separate layer if the old colour is very dark, the surface has stains or the walls are textured. A primer may also be necessary if the old paint is oil-based and you’re covering it with a latex-based formula.

Fortunately, applying primer is similar to painting. You can think of it as the first layer. However, ensure you let the primer dry before breaking out your new colour, as wet primer may make paint wrinkle.

4. Choosing the Cheapest Tools

Do you need expensive brushes to get a fantastic finish? No, but you shouldn’t reach for the cheapest tools, either. Poorly made equipment means more work, as you may have to redo patchy or streaky sections several times. There’s also the risk of a tool breaking mid-project, necessitating another trip to the store.

Brushes, rollers and trays are givens, but you may also need putty and a scraper tool when painting. If you have holes in your walls from hanging decor, you’ll need to fill them with putty before you can paint. Putty is a fast-drying substance that’s easy to apply and creates an even surface. Scraper tools are the best equipment for the application, as they allow you to create a thin coat. You may need to sand the putty down after it dries to ensure a perfectly smooth wall.

Whether you want to paint your house or require home repair services, Handyman Connection can help. Our team is quick, experienced and dedicated to high-quality results. To learn more or get an estimate for your latest renovation, give us a call or contact us online.