Preparation for Painting Your Interior Walls
The key to any good painting job is preparation. Its also the least fun
part of the job. Your all ready to get that new color of paint on the
walls, but before you rush in, here are a few things you might want to do.
Clean Your Walls
Take a damp cloth and wipe of dust, crayon and other marks from your
walls. If you have a much older home you may need to mix a little soap and
water and wipe them down. Don't soak them, just clean them up a bit.
Cover Your Floors and Furnishings
Cover everything. Don't count on just being neat. Some way, and some
how paint will drip on your brand new carpet or couch. Use plastic
sheeting or heavy duty painters tarps. Sheets don't work well since paint
spills will quickly soak thru them and onto your flooring.
Fill Holes and Gaps
Now is the time to take some spackle and fill in all of those old nail
holes and cracks. Also fill in any gaps between the woodwork and the wall
with paintable caulk.
Scrape and Sand Your Woodwork
Scrape off any chipped or peeling paint. Lightly sand your trim if
necessary to remove gloss and to even the surface.
Primer
You need to prime any exposed woodwork or areas where you have done
patches. You may also want to prime or apply a sealant to any marks that
you could not clean off. Some professionals will go as priming every
surface before you paint. It will assure a longer lasting paint job.
Remember that painting is a lot of work. Without the proper prep work,
you are simply wasting your time and money. If you have any doubts about
your ability, consider hiring a professional painter to do the work. |