Refresh Your Home for Spring with Paint

Painting is the most popular DIY home improvement project, and there's no better time to add a fresh coat of paint than spring. It's the perfect time to paint, as the days are longer, allowing for ample work time. Plus, the windows can be opened to let in fresh air (and let paint fumes out). Moreover, it's the time of year when most of us are feeling the itch to clean and renew our home. If you're looking for a quick way to refresh your home, paint is the perfect solution!

We've provided 10 painting tips that will make your paint job look professional, and last an extended period of time. Do it right the first time, even if it takes a little more effort, and you'll save money (and labor time) in the future.

Wash before painting

During cold winter months, it is likely that your home remained closed up for a majority of the time. What happens during this period of hibernation is dust and dirt build up on wall surfaces, therefore they need to be thoroughly cleaned before painting. Wash them down with a mixture of warm water and white vinegar. This will remove any debris and trace amounts of mildew.

Strip off flaking paint

You positively cannot paint over surfaces that are chipped or flaked. This is damage that is commonly seen along baseboards, door frames, and on high-traffic areas, and it should not be ignored. Strip off the flaking paint with a metal putty knife and then sand the area to a smooth consistency with a medium-grit sandpaper.

Fill in cracks and holes

Sure, paint is made of a somewhat thick consistency, but that does not mean it will adequately fill in visible cracks and holes. Before you refresh your home with paint, fill in any nail holes, wall cracks, or plaster damage. Small nail holes can be filled in with patching compound and then sanded with low-grit sandpaper when dry. Learn how to repair larger holes or gaping cracks by reading, 'How to Repair a Plaster Hole'.

Take everything off the walls

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, should be taken off the walls before you paint. This includes pictures, wall art, hanging light fixtures, and any nails that stick in the walls. Remove light switches, electrical outlets, and anything else that can possibly be taken down. This will not only protect these fixtures, but will also give your finished paint job a more professional look.

Tape and protect

Many people don't want to take the time to tape off windows, door frames, baseboards, and so on, so they attempt to skip this step and count on their precise ability to apply paint. And then, when there are done painting the room, they have to go back and attempt to repair the many mistakes they made. One of the most commonly overlooked painting tips is this one, yet it's also one of the most important. Purchase a few rolls of painter's tape and protect surfaces that you want to remain unpainted. In addition, lay down drop cloths to protect flooring and furniture.

Have the best tools

Before you begin to refresh your home with paint, be sure to have all the right tools on hand. This should include a paint tray, paint roller(s), extra roller heads, paint roller extension rod, drop cloths, painter's tape, long handled paint brush (for reaching behind fixtures that cannot be removed), and large and small paint brushes.

Prime the surface

Applying a primer before painting will help paint to adhere to the surface, and keep it from flaking or chipping over time. Not all primers are created equal, however. The type of primer you'll need will depend on the surface you plan on painting. Will you need an oil-based primer, a latex primer, or one made specifically for masonry or drywall? Your local paint specialist will be able to direct you to the right primer for your particular job. Look over the Sherwin Williams website to view the different primers available for various jobs.

Choose the right paint

To ensure the best coverage, you'll need to examine the surface and area you plan on painting. High-traffic areas will require a more durable paint than, say, an entryway that is rarely used. Learn more about selecting the right paint type by reading, 'Choosing the Right Paint Sheen'.

Working with damaged walls

What if you want to refresh your home with paint, but your wall surfaces are damaged? Perhaps they're rough, bumpy, uneven, or stained. In this case, you'll want to use a textured paint or use faux finishing to conceal damaged walls. From personal experience, I can tell you that this is the only solution I've found that works. My preference is Ralph Lauren Suede Paint, which is infused with bits of texture that give the surface a rough feeling, but soft looking, appearance. This type of paint can be applied as-is right out of the can, or used in faux finishing to give the appearance of soft suede on the walls. It blends out uneven wall surfaces and provides a very durable finish.

Clean & Save Paint Supplies

Chances are, once you see how beautiful your finished DIY home improvement project looks, you'll want to refresh your home by painting even more! Save yourself a bundle by properly cleaning your paint supplies when you're done with them so they can be reused. To learn more, read 'How to Clean Paint Brushes and Rollers'.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Beginner's Guide: How to Paint a Room

Create a Mood with Color

Suede Paint Technique

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network

Sherwin Williams