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5 Easy Steps to Apply Primer and Paint

Painting your home could be both fun and rewarding, if you know what you are doing. Otherwise it could be a real paintfull experience, yes paintfull. Nobody likes paint peeling off, uneven wall surfaces, careless painted trims, paint stained carpets, doorknobs and door hinges. I am sure you also want to avoid any mess, get the job right from the first time in the most efficient way, and obtain excellent results.

Here are the typical steps for applying primer and paint:

Priming

prime all uncoated surfaces, patched and repaired areas, stained areas
prime all areas previously painted with oil-paint
apply a tinted primer when you make a dramatic color change

Painting Ceilings

use a roller for flat ceilings
for popcorn type ceilings use a paint sprayer
reaply if necessary after allowing the paint to dry
allow it to dry before masking the edges

Painting Walls

mask the edges
alternately you can skip masking if you are planning to use a paint edger
start in a top corner
use a brush cut in a 4 inch wide area around the perimeter
alternately, use a paint edger
using the roller apply paint on 3′ by 3′ areas
make sure you overlap the edges of the areas to get a smooth finish
reaply if necessary after allowing the paint to dry

Painting Trims

using masking tape or painters tape, mask the floor and the area of the wall near the trim
start to brush at the corner of the trim
alternately you can use a small paint roller
reaply if necessary after allowing the paint to dry

Clean Up

for water-based paint clean with water and soap
for oil-based paint clean with mineral spirits
remove all protective covers
re-install all the removed items such as switch plates and door knobs

Tips

paint room surfaces in this order: ceiling, walls, windows, doors, trims, floors
to find out if a paint coating is oil-based rub the coat with alcohol using a clean white cloth
if the acohol cleans the surface without softening the coat, the paint is oil-based
if the paint transfers onto the coat, the paint is water-based
use high quality nylon or polyester brushes for latex finishes

Now it is really the time to step back and take a look. You should be proud of the work well done. It is also the time to ask for a kiss for your loved one and perhaps for some help to move back all the furniture, re-install all the doorknobs, paintings, switch plates and so on.

Category DIY, How to, Painting