Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a first-time painter, one thing remains true: proper preparation is the key to a flawless painting project!
Taking the time to prep your room may seem tedious, but it is just as crucial to the result as the actual painting. In this blog post provided by expert painters and decorators working with Fantastic Services, we’ll guide you through the crucial steps and expert tips on how to achieve a smooth and professional finish that will leave you with a masterpiece on your walls.
Protection and Painting Tools You’ll Need
What painting tools do you need to prepare the area? It is quite simple actually, and you may even have most of those in your home already!
- Soap – Dirt, grime, and oil can prevent paint from adhering properly to any surface. Make sure to thoroughly clean the area with soap to remove all contaminants before you commence.
- Sponge, gloves, and a bucket – This one is self-explanatory. A skilled handyman always wears gloves to protect his hands, and so should you. Get yourself a bucket to mix in the soap with water and, of course, a sponge to better prepare the surface.
- Protective sheets – You can use protective sheets or drop cloths. Both will allow you to protect the floors, furniture, and other objects you can not remove before you begin.
- Sandpaper – Uneven or damaged areas can cause the new paint to crack or peel. Use sandpaper to smooth rough surfaces, remove old paint or wallpaper, and create a nice, even surface for your DIY painting project.
- Painter’s tape – You can mask off areas you do not want to paint or achieve certain forms. Make sure to properly stick it to the wall so that it stays put once you start the paint job.
Preparing a Room for DIY Painting
Now that you have your tools ready let’s look at what steps you need to take to ensure the best possible results.
Clear the Space
The most important piece of advice that any professional painter will offer you is to make sure you have adequate area in the room. Once you start painting, it will feel like everything gets in your way.
Remove the furniture pieces and wall decorations. If a particular furniture piece is too heavy or big to get out of the room, move it to its centre and cover it up with the protective sheets you got.
Inspect the Walls for Damage
After you’ve prepared your workspace, the following step is to check the area you’ll be painting over. Make sure you complete a thorough examination since this will have an impact on the final outcome of your project. If you spot any holes, cracks, or other damages, fill them in. Once done, use the sandpaper to even out the wall’s surface.
Clean the Walls
Now that you have fixed any minor or major damages you may have had, it is time to get the soap, sponge, and bucket! Mix in the soap with some warm water, put on your gloves, and go through the walls carefully, making sure you clean every inch of them. It is important to note that you should not be using sugar soap.
Protect the Floors and Other Areas
Use protective sheets or drop cloths to carefully cover the entire floor and any remaining items. Ensure you have covered everything, as you don’t want to move sheets around once you start.
Preparing Different Wall Surfaces for DIY Painting
If you have followed through up until now, that is great! You need to cover one final step before starting your project’s fun part! There are a few things to consider depending on the current state of the wall you want to paint.
Plaster Walls
What is important to know about plaster walls is that they have a high absorbance level. What does that mean? Simply put, the first coat of paint you place will get heavily, potentially unevenly, absorbed. This will not only impact the overall appearance of the output but will also significantly increase the expense of the entire procedure. When it comes to plaster walls, professional painters recommend using a primer before you begin the paint job. It will provide the smooth surface you need and protect your colours.
Gloss Wall Surface
We are not going to lie. This is probably the most challenging surface to paint. To get a gloss wall ready for painting, you need to ensure that the paint will actually adhere. To do that, you must thoroughly sand the wall, removing all the sheen/gloss. Once done, carefully clean the wall again using a warm damp cloth, and leave it to dry. Apply a primer once the surface has dried fully. Now your gloss wall surface is ready to be painted!
Wallpaper Walls
Have you decided to change the wallpapers and apply fresh new paint? If you previously opted for peelable wallpapers, you should pat yourself on the back. However, if you hang them with paste, it may be slightly trickier to get rid of them.
In such a situation, you should reach out for your tools for painting and get your stripping knife. It will be a lengthy procedure, but be certain that the wallpaper is thoroughly removed from the wall. Of course, be careful not to damage the plaster underneath. If scraps of wallpaper do not wish to come off, try soaking them with a sponge and hot water. That should soften it and make it easier to strip.
Brick Walls
Brick walls allow you to be more creative with the paint. You can use both interior, as well as exterior shades to achieve the desired result. Similar to plastered walls, you should expect the first coat to be primarily absorbed. You should apply a mist coat. To prepare a mist coat, you should take some water and mix it with the paint. It should be a seven-to-three ratio, with 70% water and 30% paint. Apply the coat, let it dry and go wild the paint afterwards.
Consider Hiring Professional Painters
If this is your first DIY project, then perhaps it is a good idea to reach out to some professional painters and companies. Even if you know all the tips and tricks, painting is challenging, especially if you plan to renovate more than one wall. Not only will the handyman company send out people who will get the job done quickly and efficiently, but you will also be able to “steal” some painting techniques from them, which you can further apply when you are ready to paint by yourself.
Conclusion
Regardless of what paint job you plan on doing, always remember that preparation is vital. The better and more detailed the prep job, the easier the rest will be. Ensure that your walls are thoroughly cleaned. Fix any damage and apply the necessary undercoat. Place enough protective sheets to protect everything in the area, and you are good to go!
