Want to start a DIY House painting project?
Here are some painting tips to get you started.
It's time for a fresh new look for your home and you want to take a crack at DIY (Do-It-Yourself) house painting. You've watched all the home improvement shows; you've got your sweatpants and stained T-shirt on. It's time! With your best paint brush in hand you are about to dip into that freshly popped can of creamy paint. But wait! You forgot that you don't know how to paint. Here are the first steps for the aspiring house painter to get you started on your DIY painting journey.
Step One: Get Prepped
Ideally, painting one room at a time is the most effective, because it gives you time to focus on doing it right the first time and it gives you space to navigate without making a mess. Don't forget to strap on your safety goggles.
-Empty your room of furniture, valuables, artwork and any mounted technology like televisions or sound systems
-Protect your floors and remaining furniture with drop cloths and plastic sheets
-Clean/ dust walls with a vacuum or a towel; paint doesn't still well to dirt
-Scrape any flaking or cracked paint with a scraper
-Smooth bumps with sandpaper or an electric sander
-Protect your trims and sconces with painters tape
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
Now that you're prepped for painting, gather high quality materials that will help you get the job done right. Home Depot is a great source for all of these tools. Check out our previous post on Do-It-Yourself Home Painting Tools.
Painting Tools:
Stir sticks
Paint can opener
Various paint brushes
Paint trays
GlovesDrop cloths
Paint brushes/roller/ painting pads
Painting Materials:
High Quality Primer
Paint
If you aren't sure what kind of paint to get, read this article to know more about how to choose proper paint for your home like a professional house painter.
Step 3: Get Painting
You've got your materials and tools; it's time to get to painting house. The first job is to make sure that all of the high detail areas are nice and crisp.
Professional painters use a technique called "Cutting In" that allows them to make precise lines, protecting the trim and baseboards of the room.
To do the cutting in the process, take a small brush with the correct color of paint on it and go very carefully along the lines of the baseboards, trim, ceiling and corners. It may look weird to start off with, but once you get the colour on the walls, you will be happy you did it. Nothing says sloppy paint job more than wavy lines and splotchy baseboards.
Filling in the rest of the wall is best accomplished by using a "W" pattern about 3 * 3 feet which will prevent any ugly, unwanted lines.
DIY home painting can be a fun project if you have the time and skills required to do it, though many people experience frustration after a couple of days of painting and need additional help from house painting contractors.
Here are some painting tips to get you started.
It's time for a fresh new look for your home and you want to take a crack at DIY (Do-It-Yourself) house painting. You've watched all the home improvement shows; you've got your sweatpants and stained T-shirt on. It's time! With your best paint brush in hand you are about to dip into that freshly popped can of creamy paint. But wait! You forgot that you don't know how to paint. Here are the first steps for the aspiring house painter to get you started on your DIY painting journey.
Step One: Get Prepped
Ideally, painting one room at a time is the most effective, because it gives you time to focus on doing it right the first time and it gives you space to navigate without making a mess. Don't forget to strap on your safety goggles.
-Empty your room of furniture, valuables, artwork and any mounted technology like televisions or sound systems
-Protect your floors and remaining furniture with drop cloths and plastic sheets
-Clean/ dust walls with a vacuum or a towel; paint doesn't still well to dirt
-Scrape any flaking or cracked paint with a scraper
-Smooth bumps with sandpaper or an electric sander
-Protect your trims and sconces with painters tape
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
Now that you're prepped for painting, gather high quality materials that will help you get the job done right. Home Depot is a great source for all of these tools. Check out our previous post on Do-It-Yourself Home Painting Tools.
Painting Tools:
Stir sticks
Paint can opener
Various paint brushes
Paint trays
GlovesDrop cloths
Paint brushes/roller/ painting pads
Painting Materials:
High Quality Primer
Paint
If you aren't sure what kind of paint to get, read this article to know more about how to choose proper paint for your home like a professional house painter.
Step 3: Get Painting
You've got your materials and tools; it's time to get to painting house. The first job is to make sure that all of the high detail areas are nice and crisp.
Professional painters use a technique called "Cutting In" that allows them to make precise lines, protecting the trim and baseboards of the room.
To do the cutting in the process, take a small brush with the correct color of paint on it and go very carefully along the lines of the baseboards, trim, ceiling and corners. It may look weird to start off with, but once you get the colour on the walls, you will be happy you did it. Nothing says sloppy paint job more than wavy lines and splotchy baseboards.
Filling in the rest of the wall is best accomplished by using a "W" pattern about 3 * 3 feet which will prevent any ugly, unwanted lines.
DIY home painting can be a fun project if you have the time and skills required to do it, though many people experience frustration after a couple of days of painting and need additional help from house painting contractors.