How to Prep for Painting Like the Pros

House painting can be a complicated process, at least if you want to do the job right. However, with some patience and practice, it is possible to do home interior painting yourself. So, if you would like some tips from the pros for quality painting, here we go! Any house painting company in Indiana will tell you that one of the biggest differences between a mediocre paint job and a great one is the preparation. Professional painters spend a great deal of time carefully planning and preparing so that when they actually apply the paint, it goes on quickly and smoothly. How do they do it? Plan, Clean, Protect, Repair, Prime!

Prepping for a Paint Job: Plan it!

You can’t launch into a home interior painting project without a plan, or you will end up with a messy project and unsatisfactory results. One of the first steps is deciding on your house paint colors, which should be done carefully and thoughtfully. Once the colors are chosen, think through the painting process and what parts should be painted before or after others. For example, ceiling paint should be done before wall paint. If you have baseboards, crown molding, and window/door trim, paint these before you do the walls. Also, if you will have to move furniture from one room to another, or you have certain rooms that can’t remain inaccessible for long, you need to have a good plan for what rooms you paint when. Finally, create a list of all the paint supplies you will need, including brushes and rollers, painter’s tape, plastic drop cloths, and the paint. Then, head to the store and get it!

Clean Walls = Better Paint Performance

When you are aiming for quality painting, you can’t spread paint on dirty surfaces. Use a damp sponge with a little bit of soap to lightly clean the walls that you plan to paint. You want any grease, dirt, or other contaminants removed so that the new paint can adhere properly to the surface. Be careful not to leave soap residue on the walls; you may want to swipe them a second time with only water in the sponge.

Protect All Non-Painted Surfaces

No one wants ceiling paint dripping on their carpets, and no matter how much you like your paint colors, there’s no way you want them on your couch! That’s why your paint supplies include tape and plastic. Before you do any repairing or painting, use the tape and plastic to cover the floors and furniture. Remove light switch and outlet covers. Remove door knobs or protect them with tape. Any wall-mounted light fixtures should be taped or temporarily removed. Don’t skimp on this stage of painting preparation, or you could end up with major regrets!

Repair and Prepare the Walls

The trickiest part of preparing your home for interior painting is making the walls as smooth as possible. This means repairing any holes, dents, nicks, gouges, or other irregularities on the surface. For small spots, use quick-drying spackle paste applied in thin layers. Once the repairs are dry, gently sand the spots with light sandpaper to smooth them back out. Larger damaged areas must be patched, which is a lengthier, more difficult process. Once the walls are smooth, any repaired areas need to be primed. The primer seals the pores in the spackle or drywall compound and creates a surface the paint can bond to. One coat is usually enough.

All Ready for Interior Painting!

Once the plan is made, the walls are clean, the rooms are protected, and the walls are smooth and primed, you are ready to paint! Go slow and have fun, and watch the transformation begin!

Interior House Painting in the Indianapolis Area

If the do-it-yourself option sounds like more than you want to attempt, All-IN Painting would be delighted to serve you. Our professional house painters do this kind of prep work all the time, and they can have your walls looking fantastic in a fraction of the time it would take most homeowners. Serving Plainfield, Avon, Carmel, Fishers, Greenwood, and more of the surrounding communities, All-IN Painting is your Indianapolis area painting company.