Never Break these House Painting Rules

There are few home improvement jobs that are less intimidating than painting. It can easily update your house with a new look, or take a quick turn to disaster. Going into the job with knowledge will give you the best opportunity for a great finished product. To get it, never break these house painting rules from our pros.

Skimping

Quality materials cost more. They will also provide you the best outcome and longest lasting paint job. The more costly paints carry lifetime warranties against defects, and for a reason. They are made with the highest quality ingredients that are sure to last. By purchasing a lessor paint, you’re putting the entire paint job at risk. Expect to pay about $35 per gallon, but up to $70.

Preparation

Another area not to skimp on is the prep work. A professional painter will tell you that ⅔ of the time on a job should be preparation. Scraping, sanding, cleaning and repairing all take time and directly affect the look of the project when it’s done. All of these steps take time to complete. Plan to spend a lot of time doing preparation before you ever crack open a can of paint.

Avoid Lead

Lead paint is not sold today, but that doesn’t mean you might not run into on your walls during preparation. If your home was painted before 1978, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with lead paint. Sanding or working on projects with this can be hazardous to you and your family’s health. If there is any question about the contents of the paint, consult a professional before you begin. There are tests that can be performed to alert you to the substance.

Coats

One problem with paint jobs our pros see over and over is skimping on the coats of paint. It’s best to use a primer as your first coat on the walls and at least two coats after that. Use bright lights to look for areas that were missed before you start to clean up. Touch up now. Nothing mocks you more than a scantily covered spot on the wall once your room has been put back together.

Tools

As with the quality paint, having the right tools for the job will make a big difference in the outcome. Lower quality brushes and rollers tend to leave lint and bristles behind in your wet paint. By purchasing middle to high quality tools, you will spend less time fishing a stray fuzz from your painted wall.

Expectations

Painting a room or a house is not an easy task. It takes work and time. Going into the project expecting to bang it out in a couple of hours is sure to lead you to disappointment. If you don’t think you’re up to the climbing, taping, painting and moving, bring in some help. You’ll be glad you did.

<Weather

Mother Nature has made a fool of many painters. Painting in the hot is bad for the paint, the house and your health. The same goes for cold. Ideally, you’ll want to paint when it’s between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Too hot or cold can affect the viscosity of the paint and impact the dry times negatively. Humidity should be avoided since the dampness can cause bubbles in finished surfaces.

Cover everything

Even the cleanest painter will tell you that the splatter zone on a roller or brush is surprisingly large. Use some preparation time to cover flooring, hardware, plant life, or anything else you don’t want spots on. Cleaning dried paint is really difficult, so it’s best to head off the problem before it happens. If you’re utilizing a sprayer, beware. The wind can carry paint spots a really shocking distance.

Hiring pros

After reading this, if you’ve decided painting yourself might not be for you, call in the pros. Get bids from several providers. Once you’ve found a provider you’re happy with, ask for their licensing, insurance and references. Reputable companies won’t hesitate to hand over any of this information.

CertaPro Painters is available to help you achieve the look you want in your painting. Call us today to get a free, in-home estimate.