Painting an Interior Wall

Here are some tips for anyone that is considering painting an interior wall space. Perhaps you have never painted or it has been quite some time and the bedroom needs a new coat of paint.

This is a basic primer and not intended for walls that have been patched or have water damage.

1. It never pays to buy cheap paint; it is a waste of money and effort. Get a proven brand, the best paint I have ever worked with is a bit pricey but a truly great paint to work with. It is called Auro and it is manufactured by Benjamin Moore. It retails for about 57.00 a gallon but it will cover in one coat, goes on slick, and dries like a pro applied it (no one paid me to say that). It is an easy clean up for brushes and rollers, a little soap and water will do the trick. There are many mediocre paints out there but Auro is a painter's pleasure and well worth the extra money.

2. Empty the room as much as possible. It will make the job easier and less frustrating. You won't have to navigate the step ladder into a possibly dangerous position. Your aggravation and safety factors should be considerations. Imagine how you would feel if the ladder kicked out from under you because of the latest slippery edition of a popular magazine. And just maybe it might be time to discard of the chair you had in your dorm room as freshman.

3. If painting from dark to light, consider a primer first so the finish paint covers better.

4. If you are painting over existing paint, wash your walls first. The paint will adhere better and if you are a smoker, simply painting won't cut it, grease and smoke seep through new paint. A good product for wall washing is TSP, most hardware stores and your local a Home Depot or Lowes will carry it. Never apply fresh paint to anything but a totally dry surface.

5. Buy the little sample cans. Firehouse red may not look as you imagined, do some samples on the wall, albeit small ones to judge the final color. While you're at it, decide what finish you want, flat, semi-gloss egg or satin. All are usually described as "scrubable" but semi gloss is usually the best for cleaning later. This is usually used in kitchens and bathrooms while eggshells and satins are good for less used rooms such as a bedroom.

6. Take the time to remove electrical plates and tape the edges of baseboards and trim (if they are different color and paint finish). Unless you are an excellent edge cutter, you will be glad you did when you look at the finished room.

7. Use drop cloths for anything that cannot be moved and also to protect your floors.

8. Take your time when cutting and do that first. Use a good brush, a 2 1/2" angled brush will work nicely. Purdy makes excellent brushes and they can be found just about anywhere good paint is sold.

9. Check for roller marks when rolling, if you see them feather them out gently with a light touch. Especially on "light walls," these are walls the light from the outside source and will pick up any noticeable roller marks. Look for walls where the daylight will hit the most through windows or glass doors.

10. Always check for "dog ears". These are areas where you applied to much paint and the paint runs because it is too thick. Check when you are painting and recheck about 15 minutes or so later. As long as you get them before they dry they should be fine.

All said and accomplished you should have a great looking room.

Source: 25 years in the construction business.