7 June 2018
 Categories: , Blog

When you are ready to paint the interior of your home, there are some recommendations you can implement to make painting easier and a bit more professional looking. Here are some important tips to help you successfully paint the inside of your home like a professional.

Choose Your Paint

Before you can begin painting you will need to not only select the color of your paint but also the type of paint you want to use in your home. If you are painting over a surface that has been painted by a previous owner, you will need to check if it is an oil-based paint before you paint over it with acrylic paint. Before you apply an acrylic paint over an oil-based paint you will need to apply a primer to help the paints adhere. Otherwise, your acrylic paint will peel and run off the oil-based paint's surface.

Test an area of your paint with a cotton swab saturated with rubbing alcohol. Rub the cotton swab over the paint; if the paint begins to dissolve it is acrylic and if it does not dissolve it is oil-based paint and will need an appropriate primer.

Also make sure to select the right type of paint for the area you will be covering. For example, a semi-gloss paint is perfect for areas that will get dirty frequently, such as hallways, trims, doors, and kitchens. This type of paint cleans well with a wet cloth. For areas that have a lot of bumps and dents, you can use a flat finish, which will hide any imperfections in your walls.

Prepare the Walls

Preparing the walls is equally important before applying any new paint. Be sure you wipe off the walls of any dust, dirt, and greasy fingerprints. Use a solution of warm water and several squirts of dish detergent to clean the walls of any debris that will prevent your paint from adhering. For cleaning the walls in your kitchen, which can accumulate greasy build-up from cooking, use a stronger cleaning solution containing trisodium phosphate (TSP).

Apply the Paint

After applying drop cloths around the perimeter of the room you will be painting, select a quality angled brush to paint inside the corners of the walls and ceiling. This type of brush will help you paint into the edge of your trim so you don't have to apply and rely on masking tape.

Select a roller brush with the appropriately-sized nap to paint either smooth or bumpy surfaces. Keep a damp cloth next to you to wipe up any paint drops or mistakes immediately after they happen.

If you aren't comfortable painting on your own, reach out to a professional at a place like Yu1 Painting Company.