DIY and Crafts

How to: Paint a room

Article by Homes to Love

Before you read on, always start with the ceiling, to learn how to paint a ceiling click here.

paint-can-brush-and-roller

Now you’re ready to start painting the room:

What You Need

  • Quick release painter’s tape
  • Sealer/Primer
  • Paint
  • Paint tray
  • Paint-roller
  • Roller sleeve, depending on the desired finished there are different types of roller sleeves
  • Two-inch angled paintbrush
  • Ladder

Step 1: Are your walls ready?
Use the light test to check for imperfections, dents and uneven plaster work.  The light test is easy, simply hold up a bright light against the walls, if you find dents fill these in, then lightly sand until smooth, the same goes with uneven plaster work lightly sand, once again use the light test to make sure the walls are looking even and ready for the next step.

Step 2: Prep your walls by cleaning the walls
Whether you’re renovating, building new or redecorating, this process is important as it removes dust, and dirt, use water and a little mild dishwashing detergent, along with a soft clothe or sponge. After you’ve cleaned the walls wipe the walls down with clean water to remove the soap residue.  Alternatively use a smooth non scratch broom to lightly dust off any dirt and dust.

Step 3: Tape the trim, window, and doorframes
Use a quick release tape, once you’ve painted the walls remove the tape immediately after painting, before the wall dries, this will ensure you don’t peel off any paint with the tape.

Step 4: Prime the walls
Even walls that have been painted many times need to be primed. In fact, primer helps maximise the coverage of paint and gives the finished coat a more uniform appearance.  On older surfaces a pigmented sealer might be required.

Step 5: Brush where you can’t roll
Brush on paint around trims and in the corners of walls, where your roller can’t reach, with a two-inch angled brush. Extend out two to three inches from windows, doors, and moldings.

Step 6: Technique use your roller vertically from top to bottom
Try to paint using one consistent stroke overlapping the next line without lifting the roller, this will remove the visible run. Continue in sections until you’re finished. Paint one wall at a time.  Most experts recommend two coats, for darker shades 3 coats may be required.

Step 7: Paint the trim – How to: Paint skirting’s, trims and archtrives
When the walls are completely dry, tape where the trim meets the wall. Paint the moldings/finishing lines, the door and window frames with a two-inch angled brush.

GOLDEN PAINTERS TIPS:

Painting tips:

  • Hold the brush like a pencil
  • Don’t have too much or two little paint on your brush, coat the bristles only about a third of the way up the brush.
  • Paint with the edge of your brush, the slimest side

3 steps to rolling like a super star:

Dip your roller into the primer, rolling it back and forth across the tray’s ridges a few times to remove any excess paint which will prevent drips. Make sure the roller gets evenly coated.

  • First roll – Get the paint on the wall
  • Second roll – Smooth out the paint
  • Final roll – Lightly roll over the painted area

Cutting in:

  • Start away from the edge and slowly work your way in, this way you can see how much paint you have on the brush, and can eliminate paint drips and runs

Achieving the perfect finish:

  • Always sand in between coats, yes we know this is tedeious but this is what the pros do

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