Tips for Being a Professional Painting Do-It-Yourselfer

One of the easiest, but most impactful ways to transform and revitalize a room is to change the paint color. It only takes a couple gallons of paint and a little patience. However, it’s important for homeowners to follow some basic steps to ensure clean and professional job.

Always prep your work space. Move furniture, remove outlet covers, tape off trim, and lay out your drop cloths. Keeping things neat will save you from ruining your flooring or antique furniture, and will also give you a more professional finish.

Before painting, clean your walls. A lot of first time painters are excited and ready to go and they often skip this step. Even if the walls “look” clean, there is still a good chance they are covered in dust and dirt. Painting over dirty walls is not a good look and will result in dirt streaks and many visible imperfections. To clean your walls, simply wipe them with a damp cloth. Dirtier spaces may need more of a scrub and a rinse. Use white vinegar and water to get the best clean without leaving behind a residue. Never saturate your walls.

Do not start from the bottom. One of the biggest mistakes people make when taking on their own painting projects, is starting at the bottom and working their way up. No matter what interior area you are working on, you should always begin at the top of the space and work your way down from the ceiling. Starting at the bottom will result in paint dripping down onto areas you have already painted. This will create visible lines of running paint on your walls. An easy clue for showing it wasn’t done professionally.

Choosing the right type of paint is critical, especially in high-humidity rooms. Bathrooms and kitchens will need a high-gloss variety that is capable of withstanding the high moisture. Using the wrong kind of paint can be disastrous. It will look fine at first, but will eventually begin chipping, flaking, and warping. If you are unsure of what type of paint you will need, ask for assistance. Paint mixers should be able to guide and direct you on the proper type and reliable brands.

Take your time and do it right the first time. Try to rush the process and you may end up with drips and a streaky, uneven paint job. If you want it to look professional, you will need to take your time and pay attention to detail.

Be prepared to do multiple thinner coats rather than one really thick one. Applying too much paint on the wall in an effort to get it done in one coat will result in lots of drips and a sloppy looking end result. It will probably take you 2 -3 coats to get a nice, even coverage.

Follow these tips and you're well on your way to a professional looking paint job.

Article by Amber Burkhart

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   by  Keith Williamson