How To Paint a House

Preparing and cleaning the surface is one of the most important parts of the painting process. Follow these simple steps to ensure your job looks great and lasts for years to come. Before prepping the surface repair or replace any loose or broken boards and gutters. Remove or re nail any boards that may be loose. If nails or screws are needed use none rusting galvanized nails or screws. When the walls of your home are in desperate need of a new color palette you might be tempted to just pick up a brush and go. But before you do it will be helpful to be aware of a few painting fundamentals that can save you valuable time and effort. The key to achieving a smooth seamless finish lies in the preparation after cleaning the wall and applying a base coat of primer you can direct your attention to the outer edges of the wall and work your way inward using a color that makes the room irresistible to the eye. Locate any knobs outlet covers light switch faceplates thermostats and other items along the wall and take them off. Starting with a smooth surface with no obstructions will help the project proceed much more efficiently. Find a place to store nearby furniture appliances and other belongings until you’ve wrapped up your project. If space is an issue you can also simply scoot these items away from the wall you'll be painting. Be sure to cover any remaining furniture with a drop cloth or sheet of plastic to keep it protected. Stretch out a canvas drop cloth or plastic tarp that will help catch spills and splatters once you begin working. For maximum protection the drop cloth should extend all the way to the base of the wall. Wet a clean cloth or sponge with warm water and a mild liquid detergent and then wring out the excess moisture. Run the cloth over the walls from top to bottom to clear away dust and other debris that can interfere with the paint’s ability to set up properly. Painter’s tape can be used to protect the trim at the top and bottom of the wall and around doorways. It will also come in handy for putting over accents that are a pain to remove, like dimmer switches. Make sure to line up the edges of the tape precisely or you could end up with a lopsided paint job. For most jobs a standard white primer will be your best bet. The new paint color will be able to stand out. A gallon of primer should be enough to take care of most painting projects. Apply an even coat from the floor to the ceiling covering the broadest areas near the center of the wall. The base coat doesn’t need to be too thick as long as it's smooth and consistent the paint will sit easily on top of it. Work the primer into tight crevices and other hard to reach areas with the tip of the brush. Pay particular attention to corners alcoves and the spaces around the trim and wall fixtures. Try to match the thickness of the rolled sections as best you can. Give the base coat a few hours to set up. It should be dry to the touch before you begin applying subsequent coats of paint. It may be more convenient to apply the primer in the afternoon or evening and then wait until the following day to tackle the paint. Consider not only color but also the desired texture and finish you want for the wall. Pastels for instance can be used to brighten up the half bath or sitting room whereas darker shades can add a sense of size and dimension to communal areas like the kitchen. Use an electric paint mixer or handheld stirrer to blend the paint to an even consistency. This will prevent the oils and pigments from separating, result in better coverage and a smoother finish. Once the paint reaches a uniform texture throughout it will be ready to go. Dip the tip of your paintbrush about 2 into the paint letting the excess drip off. Then brush the paint onto the wall with the angled edge of the brush starting at one of the room’s upper corners. Follow along the painter’s tape and work your way down using smooth linear strokes until you’ve completed the outer perimeter of the wall. After you’ve painted the wall’s outer edges use a wide roller to take care of the middle. The best method for painting with a roller is to apply it in alternating M or W pattern working back and forth over the same section until it’s completely filled in. You can then move onto another section, repeating the same pattern. Depending on how deep you want the new color to come out you can roll on a second or even 3rd coat of paint. Paint these follow up coats the same way starting with the outer edges of the wall and working your way inward. Be sure to wait about 1-3 hours between coats to give the fresh paint time to dry. Take one last look over the wall to check for thin spots, lumps, drips or other problem areas before calling it a day. Be prepared to give the top coat of paint at least twice as long to dry as you did the primer. In the meantime try to resist the urge to touch the paint in order to prevent accidental smudges.