There is nothing better than getting compliments on the appearance of the home. Painting the walls of any room will give the area a fresh new look. Here is a painting 101 lesson that will allow even the most inexperienced painters to give their walls a new appearance.
You will need:
- Paint
- 2 ½ inch angled sash paintbrush
- Paint roller and roller handle
- Paint tray
- Quart-sized bucket
- Tarps, plastic sheeting, cloths to cover furniture
- Plastic drop cloth or craft paper
- Masking tape
- Putty knife
- Spackling paste
- Fine-grit sandpaper
Step 1: Purchase the desired color and finish of paint. Finishes include semi-gloss, satin, and flat. Semi-gloss has a shiny appearance and it is easy to wash. This is the finish of choice for most kitchens, bathrooms, doors, and moldings. Satin paint has a bit less sheen and is washable, so it is usually chosen for high traffic areas. Flat has no sheen and is usually selected for uneven or rough textured walls.
Step 2: Remove all wall hangings, lamps, and small furniture from the room. Move the larger furniture into the center of the room and cover it with plastic sheeting, a cloth, or a tarp.
Step 3: Use a plastic drop cloth or craft paper to cover the floor. Tape this down using masking tape.
Step 4: Wipe the walls with a damp sponge and let them dry. Using the putty knife, apply spackling paste to any holes or cracks in the wall and smooth it out. After the spackle dries, use the sandpaper to even out the surface and then wipe away excess dust.
Step 5: Remove light switches, electrical outlet covers, and vent grates for heating and air-conditioning. Cover or unscrew any lighting fixtures that are mounted to the wall or cover them with plastic. Adequately light and vent the room.
Step 6: If more than one gallon of the same color paint will be used, pour all the paint into a larger bucket and blend it together.
Step 7: Paint surfaces in the following order: ceiling, walls, baseboards, doors, window trim. Cut in from the edges by holding the brush like a pencil and then angle it against the edge of the trim and drag down. Paint along all trim and corners in this manner.
Step 8: Use the roller to fill in the larger surfaces. Make sure that the roller is saturated with paint, but not dripping with it.
Step 9: Once the paint has dried, move the furniture back in and reinstall the wall outlets, light fixtures, and wall hangings.
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