Are you ready to Paint? You’ve got all the tools and prepared them. You’ve selected the color. You’ve chosen a good quality paint. So, lets get started and paint. Right?
No, not so fast. There’s still a few things that must be done before you dip that brush in and make that first stroke. I know your ready and willing to get started and you think everything is done, but what about the surface that your going to paint? Have you done all the prep work needed for that? This step is a major one and you don’t want to compromise your job by leaving any of the following step not done.
First: Fix Things
Check all the walls for cracks and holes. Where the pictures were hanging there usually is a hole that need to be filled. Also look over the window and door frame for cracks in the drywall. Don’t forget the ceiling. There is usually a crack in the ceiling over a walk area from one room to another. All of these cracks and holes can be filled with paint putty or a fiberglass putty. After you fill them in, wait till they dry and then sand them till the whole area is flat. You should be able to find the right filler at the paint store or the home improvement store where you buy your paint.
After you do the sanding, make sure you wipe the surface clean with a tack cloth that will pick up all the left over dust that you couldn’t get with a regular cloth. If you have an air compressor you could blow the surface off with that, but you should still use a tack cloth to wipe the surface clean.
Second: Clean Up
The clean up discussed above is only the start. Make sure you sweep and mop the floor, or vacuum the carpet. Do this step at least twice to get all the dust that came from the sanding. Remember any dust that gets into the paint will not only change the color (especially if it’s a light color) but it will give the paint a texture that you don’t want. So don’t skimp on the clean up. If your doing a room that has a closet you will want to paint in there also so clear out all the clothes from there and make sure they are covered up.
Third: Final Preparations
Now your just about there. The final Prep work is to remove all of the wall switch covers, light fixture bases that fit up close to the wall and ceiling and then start your masking. Make sure you take extra pains to do a good job masking. This is really where the X in expert is shown. If you fail to mask close to the edge you will see the other paint where you don’t want it.
Last but not least, cover everything that doesn’t move or talk back to you with drop cloths. Everything! This will save you hours in clean up time.
Now, stir that paint, grab that brush and lets get going!
Warren Bensinger has been writing articles like this for about 2 years and would like to invite you to his website, House-Painting for more information.
You can find the website at http://house-painting.beehavensite.com/
