Interior house painting seems easier than exterior house painting. Still this might not be a piece of cake. There are a number of steps to take to properly paint your walls on your own. The steps below will help you put your enthusiasm on the right track.
- Prep your walls Begin preparing your walls by removing any electrical outlet covers. Inspect your walls for any defects like cracks, dents, or holes. Then fill them with caulk or spackling compound. Once dry, smooth them down with sandpaper and then wipe the walls with a damp sponge.
- Taping and spreading drop cloths To prevent making a mess of other fixtures when painting, tape your windows, doorframes, ceiling perimeter, and moldings with painter’s tape. Make sure the tape is flat and even so the paint does not bleed through. Now cover all your furniture and floor with drop cloths to protect it from paint drips.
- Prime and sand Priming ensures better adhesion of paint to the surface, increases paint durability, and provides additional protection for the wall being painted. For this process, a handheld brush is the best choice. Paint the primer from top to bottom. Here, you can use a roller and paint in V or W-shaped strokes. When the primer has dried, lightly sand down bumps and wipe the wall with a damp sponge.
- Cut in and paint walls Now, the wall is ready for your chosen paint. You have to follow the same process as the primer. For best results, paint one wall at a time as wet paint is easier to spread. Work from top to bottom. Let the first coat dry for atleast 2-4 hours. Then proceed with the second coat using the same process as the first coat.
- Clean When you are done painting, make sure that all paint cans are tightly sealed. Wash off all the brushes and rollers with warm water. Remove all the painter’s tape and double check that there is no tape is left behind. Remove all the drop cloths and enjoy the new look of your room.
