If you’re thinking about taking on a home painting project yourself, you may be wondering where to start. After all, we can’t all be professional interior painters! But that doesn’t mean that you can’t paint the interior of your home like a pro. With these tips and tricks, your Jacksonville, FL home will be one step closer to matching the expert vision that you have in your mind. And you’ll be able to tackle the project yourself - from choosing a paint color to ensuring that you’re using paint correctly, and everything in between.
Pay attention to the weather before you paint
If you’re painting the interior of your home, it may not seem immediately apparent that the weather can make a difference. But humidity can really affect the way the painting job ultimately turns out. In fact, humidity means your paint will dry more slowly - and be more susceptible to drips. It’s best to avoid painting the interior of your home on a rainy day. But we know that time is valuable - so what if the day you dedicated to painting is a rainy one? It’s still do-able, but it’s a good idea to take your time. One of the benefits of a slower drying paint is that you can correct your errors before moving on to the next coat. Be careful not to over-work the paint, though.
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Inspect the walls and drywall
If there are peeling, cracked, or flaking areas on the wall, they need to be addressed before you can paint. The best way to do this is to lightly sand or scrape them, and then rinse them. If you fail to address problem areas in your wall or drywall before painting, you run the risk of the new paint flaking off, as well. Ultimately, this will end up being a waste of time and money. You may also need to handle greasy or stained spots on the walls - they can be fairly easily cleaned with a little bit of washing soap and a rinse. Either way, before you paint, make sure you give the walls a wipe-down with a damp cloth to ensure that you have a dust-free surface for your interior paint.
Don’t skimp on the painting tools
The right painting tools can really make or break a DIY interior painting project. If you skimp on painting tools, you may end up less than satisfied with the end result. Why spend money on high-quality paint and then apply it with inferior tools? Quality brushes and rollers will give you the coverage that you’re looking for. This also prevents you from having to waste time and paint on an unnecessary re-application.
Pay attention to textured walls
We’ve talked here about textured walls - and how they can definitely be a challenge when you’re looking to upgrade or paint the interior of your home. While you don’t necessarily need to go through the messy process of removing your textured walls, you do need to be mindful that painting them comes with its own set of challenges. The more texture that your walls have, the thicker the nap you will need on your paint roller cover. This will allow the painting tool to reach into the crevices of the textured walls and give you a more complete paint coverage.
Paint primer goes a long way in getting the job done right
While there are many paint-and-primer combinations on the market today, it may not be the best choice for painting your Jacksonville, FL home. These two-in-one options are great if you already have a smooth, clean surface for painting - but that’s often not the case, especially if it’s been a few years since you’ve updated your interior paint. A separate primer will help to ensure that you get the expert interior paint coverage you’re looking for. It’s also a good idea to discuss your needs with a paint professional to determine whether or not you need a bonding primer for the job.
Get consistent paint color throughout by boxing it
We don’t mean to take your paint into the ring and throw a few punches! Boxing your paint is a great way to ensure consistent color from beginning to end. Work with your paint store professional to figure out a realistic estimate for how much paint you’ll need to complete the job. Then buy all of the paint at once. Why? This way, you have a higher likelihood of achieving an even tone. This is where “boxing” comes in. Instead of going gallon by the gallon - where you can run the risk of slight color variance - combine all of your paint into a large container and give it a good mix. If you’re a champion “boxer,” you’re sure to achieve the perfect interior paint finish.
Start at the top and paint to the bottom
Let gravity do some of the work for you. It’s often easy to see when an amateur has painted the walls - there are some telltale drips in the finish. But if you start at the top, you can roll right over any mistakes immediately as you work your way down the wall.
And there you have it! If you follow these tips and the rest of our DIY painting guides, you should be well on your way to an interior paint finish that looks completely expert.