Everything you need for a smooth, even, and lasting home paint job.
One of the least expensive methods of refurbishing a space is by painting the house. One new coat of paint alters the outlook and feel of the room in days. Good tools and techniques impart the walls, ceilings, trim, or even the furniture with the finishing of the pros after years. To attain the best result, follow this complete house painting checklist.
Choose the Right Paint
Start with the paint itself. How long the job will last and how smooth the look will turn out depends on the quality of the paint. Good quality paint is costly, but it covers better, has better colour hold, and wears better. This also needs fewer coats, which is less labour and less time.
Think of the sheen on the paint. Non-reflective but hides all the flaws on the wall, but stings easily, is it flat or matte? Ultra-soft sheen is best for the living room and bedroom.
There is the satin that has some extra sheen but holds up pretty well to marking, so it is best used on the passages and the high-traffic areas.
Semi-gloss withstands dampness best, so it's best used on the trim, on the doors, and in the bathrooms. There is a high gloss that is shiny, easy to wipe, but spots all the wrinkles.
Choose the Right Type of Paint
The most popular Canadian house type is the water-based type, which is referred to as the latex or acrylic. They dry quickly, have a low smell, and clean up with water. Acrylic paints have longer durability than the vinyl combination paints, with better temperature flexibility.
There are oil-based paints, also referred to as the alkyd or the enamel paints. They are long-drying but obtain a strong, durable finish. These are best for the trim, cupboards, and furniture. They do, however, need solvent for cleanup, but it causes strong fumes, so ventilation is most imperative.
Special effect paints obtain distinctive finishes. There's the chalk type for the non-reflective, matte, aged appearance of the furniture. There's the milk type with the rustic finish and the environmentally friendly property. There's the strong epoxy type best for garage floors, countertops, and resistant to all stains.
Basic Tools and Supplies
Paint requires the right tools. Good brushes smooth the paint and non-flea bristles. You will want most jobs with the three-inch brush. Rollers quickly cover ceilings and walls. Use short-nap rollers on smooth surfaces, long-nap rollers on textured surfaces.
Primers prime the surface and improve adhesion. Primers are a must when you change colours or stain bare wood. Most newer primers are water-based, but stain-blocking primers help with wood knots and stains.
Other tools make the job easier. Drop cloths conceal floors and furniture. Extension poles let you reach high points without strain. Ladders give safe access to ceilings. Painter's tape gives sharp edges. Paint trays, liner, sandpaper, putty knife, and spackling are all the tools.
Preparing Surfaces Before You Paint
This will require time to prepare, but the outcome will be excellent. You have to clean all the surfaces before commencing to paint. The paint does not adhere to dirt, grease or grime. Wipe the inside surfaces with detergents and water. Exteriors will help with power washing.
Fill all holes and breaks with filler or spackling. After drying, sand patches are smooth. Remove peeling finishes, and rough up shiny surfaces so the new coat has something to hold onto. If you rent an old home, check for lead before sanding.
The next job is to prime the surfaces. Prime the bare wood, patched spots, or spots that you stain. Primers help with colour variances and give better coverage. Let the primer dry thoroughly before you start to paint.
Prepare the Room for Painting
Spend much time before painting on the proper preparation of the room. Take away hardware outlet covers, light fixtures, or the doorknob. Take all the screws and parts and put them together in case you are going to restore them. Clear the furniture or wrap it with plastic.
Lay drop cloths or rosin paper over the floors. Tape the windows, the baseboards and the trim. Cover the glass windows with aerosol liquid masking agent. Sand trim, doors, and windows, and apply more paint that way. Sweep up the dust and wipe with a cloth.
Painting the Ceiling
Begin always at the ceiling. This eliminates drips that destroy newly painted walls. Paint a border with an angled brush on the edges. Then roll the ceiling with an extension pole in even overlapping strokes. Work in sections and maintain a wet edge to avoid streaks.
Painting the Walls
When the ceiling is dry, move on to the walls. Cut in along the trim, windows, and corners with a brush. Then use a roller to fill large sections. Roll in the form of "W" to even out the paint. Paint squares of approximately one square metre each, and overlap lines to blend the areas.
Use the paint in at least two layers. Allow the first coating to dry off first, then add the second. Whatever the paint manufacturer says, paint drying takes longer in cold or wet weather.
Painting Trim and Details
Trim must be patient and also accurate. Apply with a good, slick brush and smooth, even strokes. Crown moulding should be painted first, followed by the windows, then doors and lastly baseboards. Load your brush lightly to prevent drips.
In the case of the doors, take them off the hinges where possible. Coat each side on a flat surface with sand, prime and paint to achieve a smoother surface. Allow the paint to dry before sticking again.
Exterior Painting
It requires additional preparation to paint the exterior of a house. Clean siding, scrape off peeling paint and repair damaged sections. Apply primer to bare spots. Whenever you are painting, always paint at the top so as not to have drips. Clean with brushes on trim and large flat areas with a roller or sprayer.
There are also decks and fences to attend to. Wood should be cleaned and sanded before being painted or stained. Use a preservative where necessary. Select a product that is used with outdoor wood. Roll/brush and allow to dry before heavy usage.
Special Painting Projects
Some projects require special attention. Before painting furniture, it is to be sanded and primed. Rustic appearance is good with chalk or milk paint. Before painting with good cabinet paint, cabinets must be cleaned and sanded, and the bonding coat must be applied.
Accent walls create contrast in a room. Select a bright colour and draw edges with tape. Extra interest is provided by stencils or textured paint.
The rust on metal surfaces should be scraped with a wire brush or sandpaper. Use a metal primer before painting. With brick or masonry, clean, apply masonry primer, and paint which adheres to porous surfaces.
Health and Safety Considerations
Select low-volatile organic compounds or zero-volatile organic compounds paints. VOCs lead to health issues, irritation and headaches. Low-VOC paints enhance indoor air quality, which is significant in homes in Canada when doors remain closed through the long winters.
Wear protective equipment at all times during sanding or painting. Make the room airy. When you apply oil paint or solvent-based primers, open windows and keep the air moving with fans.
Painting Techniques for a Smooth Finish
You can use the cutting-in method to paint straight edges where the walls meet the trim or ceilings. Use a long, angled brush with a steady hand and long strokes. Next, roll over the area with a roller to prevent the appearance of lines.
Roll the walls downwards and upwards with uniform force. Do not press too hard, or streaks will appear. Work with even coats instead of trying to stretch the paint.
Most walls need a second coat. Wait until the first coat is dry before starting. Peeling or uneven colour will be caused by rushing.
Final Touches and Cleanup
Once the paint is put on, it must dry completely. Latex paint can require two weeks to dry fully, so be careful of surfaces until then. Do not scrub until the paint is hardened.
Do not take off painter's tape when the painting is completely dry, as it will peel off. Circle the edges with a knife and then remove the tape. Install hardware and light fixtures after the paint is dry.
Wipe brushes, rollers and trays immediately. Paints that are made using water can be washed using soap and water. Oil-based paints require a solvent. Put leftover paint in a container with a lid to use for touch-up.
Check if the walls are drip-free or not. Touch up with a small brush. Imperfections are detected with good lighting.
Conclusion
Home painting is an undertaking that pays off in planning and time. The correct paint, right tools, and right steps will produce a finish that seems professional and durable. With the full house painting checklist, you can turn your area into a place full of colour, secure your surfaces, and increase the value of your home.