Home Remodeling Guide To Paint
Ahh, paint—the dependable fix for anything old and drab. It really is a home remodeler’s best friend. It offers such a simple and achievable solution to those feeling like their home needs attention. With being a simple fix, there are many details that can make sure a home painting project achieves this goal smoothly.
Pick the Right Paint for the Room
Color and Lighting
The kind of space being painted will determine most factors when it comes to choosing a color. A smaller room with less natural light should not be painted in dark shades. Remember that any color or hue is intensified over larger spaces, which essentially makes them look darker than they are.
Keep darker shades for feature walls or larger, more open rooms or areas.
Paint Quality
You may be on a budget, but look out for cheap paint. The catch is that it often the cheaper the paint, the more coats you will need. This will mean you need to buy more which can actually cause you to spend more in the long-run. Use as many resources as you can, like reviews and professional (contractor, not salesperson) for advice on the best paint products to use.
Type of Paint and Project
There are a multitude of options when it comes to types of paint. Some paints are more versatile and can perform more functions; as a result, it might seem more expensive upfront, but if the surface needs any kind of preparation then that will also add to the cost.
Equipment
Brushes
High quality brushes can make the most meaningful difference to your project. Better brushes will create more even blended areas and have fewer obvious stroke lines. It will also mean that you don’t have annoying pieces of brush left behind drying under a coat of paint.
While we are on the subject of brushes, turpentine, or thinners will lengthen the life of these decent brushes you pay extra for. Make sure you’re cleaning your brushes properly to get the most use out of them.
Tape
There is a list of little things that can make a paint job look shoddy. Overlapping edges of the door frames, window frames, ceiling, handle, or whatever edges in the painted surface is a huge issue. Painting is easy and anyone can do it until the realization of all the fine detailed little tasks become a realized reality.
Secure the edges of the tape properly so paint doesn’t end up running underneath it. This is not uncommon, especially on things like tiles where there are gaps.
Drop Sheets
If you are renovating everything, do them in the right order. Ceilings first, then walls, then floors. Otherwise, lay drop sheets beforehand to catch spills.
If there is furniture or fittings to be painted around, tape the drop sheets to these objects for a much neater finish and far less clean-up work.
Preparation
There are pre-paint rituals. Be thoroughly educated here as this is the first place that things can start going wrong. Paint hides a lot, but a poorly prepped surface cannot look good for long. You’re not doing all this work to simply create more things to cover up down the line.
Primer
Depending on the surface, you may have options. Some paints, and some surface types, do not require a primer. This is not common though. There is a different primer for every situation. And before you ask, yes, it is advisable to prime your surfaces, and no, it is not a step you want to skip without being sure first.
It is rare that primer can be avoided. For example, milk paint does not need primer and sometimes chalk paint does not need to go over a primed surface. These are interesting alternatives and could be fun for creative projects but avoid using any method that has not been tried and tested for the same needs as yours.
Cleaning
The most important thing to do before you paint is to ensure a clean surface. This will keep a paint job looking fresh and neat and help it to last.
All surfaces should be cleaned and some might need to be smoothed. A painted surface may have holes that need to be filled, and these areas will need to be sanded smooth afterwards. Wood surfaces might need to be sanded before anything else can be done. Be sure to clean away the dust after doing this.
Any dust or dirt can lead to paint flaking or bubbling, aside from just not going on smooth.
Area Protection
Once paint or primer is on, measures must be in place so that this surface is not interfered with until it has to be. More than anything, allow the surface to dry properly between cleaning and coats of everything. This may be the most valuable piece of advice you can take.
Paint Project Process
Method and Patience
Brush strokes matter. Be patient and offer time to dry between coats. Assess how many coats on a test patch so you can better estimate if you have enough paint before starting out. Oh, and while you’re getting started, stir the paint as thoroughly as possible to ensure an even cover.
Doing Each Step Right
Different surfaces require different treatment. If it has been sanded and primed, don’t rush the process; it takes time to get through each step. Of course, the last thing you want is a mess that needs redoing instead of taking a bit longer in the process.
That being said, find out what products are out there to help cut some steps out. All-in-one products that remove rust or strip varnish on previous layers do exist and could be beneficial to your project. Contractors with field experience will also be able to offer you guidance about these products.
Product Care
Whatever surface you are painting, do some research or ask a professional for guidance. Starting the job with the right tools, paint, and materials is always the most desirable outcome. As paint dries, it can become hard to match the color again perfectly and so having enough of everything ahead of time will facilitate a smooth painting operation.
When choosing your paint, make sure to understand what kind of treatment will make it last the longest. Some paints, or surface types, may find certain chemicals abrasive.
Depending on your needs, there are creative ways to go about using paint for different projects. We often get stuck on the regular methods and forget that just looking at a different kind of paint (like milk paint or chalk paint) might be worth looking into. We also forget all the ways that paint has evolved for different uses and surfaces. Getting in touch with our consultants at Miller Construction & Design might shed new light on a lingering home paint project.
