Painting is one of the easiest ways to transform a room. Changing the colors of the walls may seem simple, but it can drastically change how your room looks and feels. As we’re picking up our painting tools, many of us hope to change our rooms for the better. Nevertheless, in many cases, we actually change it for the worst. Painting is more complicated than just slapping one coat onto the walls and calling it a day. There are several steps that you need to take, steps that many people often forget about or don’t bother taking.
So, if you’re planning on repainting one of your rooms, here are some common mistakes that you ought to avoid.
You aren’t repairing your walls beforehand
Overtime, your walls are going to take some damage. Holes, dings, and scratches are all a part of everyday use, and these problem areas can become quite the eyesore. However, a few coats of paint aren’t going to cover them up. You’ll have to repair these spots first before you start painting your walls.
You don’t clean the walls
In addition to those holes and scratches, your walls will also get quite dirty over time. This is especially the case for kitchens which will likely be caked in grease from years of cooking. All you’ll need is a damp cloth and some diluted dish soap to clean off the dirt and grime from over the years. If you find that’s not enough, then use trisodium phosphate, a tough cleaner meant specifically for painting prep.
You’re skipping the primer
Primer is essential to a good paint job. It will not only cover up dents and other flaws in the wall, but it also helps the paint adhere to the wall much better than it would without. There are two options when priming a wall: using primer and paint, or a single paint-and-primer-in-one mix. Either option can be used for normal walls, but if you’re painting wood, concrete, or plaster, then you should opt for stand-alone primer.
You’re misusing your painter’s tape
Painter’s tape is a must, especially if you don’t have as steady of a hand as you would like. However, if you use painter’s tape incorrectly, you could end up ruining the painting job you spent so much time on. Be sure to remove the painter’s tape before the paint fully dries or else you may be ripping away part of your paint job with the tape.
You’re painting right out of the can
It may seem like a hassle to pour your paint out onto a tray, but it’ll save you in the long run. By painting straight from the can, you’re contaminating the entire batch with dirt or dust from your brush or the air. If you can’t finish your job in one sitting, then wrap your paint tray up in a plastic bag to keep it from drying out.
There’s too much paint on your roller
When it comes to painting, you may think “the more the merrier,” but in reality, it’s actually the opposite. If there’s too much paint on your roller, it can drip on other surfaces and spread unevenly. A little goes a long way, so just lightly dip your roller into the paint and apply enough pressure to spread it evenly.
There’s no doubt about it, painting can be tough and there are a lot of mistakes that can be made if you don’t know what you’re doing. So, why risk it? Instead, hire a professional painter who will know how to avoid all of these mistakes and will make your room look like new. At Richard Stewart Painting, we specialize in painting residential and commercial buildings. Give us a call at 1-818-951-1181 to learn more.
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