subject: Interior Painting And Decorating Suggestions: Getting A Smooth Ending [print this page] The key reason as to why people paint their interior walls is to brighten up the design in the room. A fresh paint job can give new life to a dull room. To get a smooth finish you will require to first take some time to prepare the walls. People like to chop corners to save lots of money and time, but doing this can make your work look awful.
Follow these steps for a smooth application:
The first step is to use a paint scraper to get rid of all the old chipped paint. Scrape as much of the old paint off as you possibly can. Sand the chipped areas with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block. Attempt to smooth the sides as much as possible in order not to be noticeable under the fresh paint.
Wipe down the parts to be painted. Wash walls and woodwork to remove dust and grease from the surfaces. Grease will keep the paint from adhering to the surface properly and dirt or dust will attach itself to the newly painted wall. Wash with a mild soap and water solution and allow the area to dry before prepping.
Tape off the parts you do not want painted like baseboards and mouldings. Cover lighting fixtures and wall sockets, and put plastic sheets over household furniture to guard from drips. You will probably also want to put plastic or an old sheet down on the carpet in to the spot that you are painting. Paint rollers can sometimes slip and hit where you dont want them to.
Fill in any holes or cracks with putty and smooth out. Also fill in any holes left from where you scraped the old paint. If theres the smallest amount of an impression on the wall it can show through the paint as an uneven spot so be sure you fill it as well. When you have filled in all of the areas, smooth the puttied areas using a damp sponge and let it dry. When dry, sand the area with the sanding block to smooth out any rough edges left.
Choose a high quality make of paint. You dont have to spend a fortune on a gallon of paint, but you ought to buy a high quality product. Call around to some general contractors close to you and ask them what brand of paint they suggest. Once you've got a name you'll be able to call or visit some home improvement stores to try out and compare prices. This really is an important step because should you choose a less expensive brand of paint it may well not cover as the area as well. Getting a primer is definitely an option, but it is not required. A quality brand of paint should cover in one coat. Sometimes you may need a second coat to provide a more polished look.
One final tip: After your new paint has dried, check if there are any bubbled or uneven spots. If you see bubbles, lightly scrape the surface, fill and retouch. You can buy a tiny pot of the same colour paint for touch ups. If you are not really a do-it-yourself sort, or you do not have the time for such a job you can hire a professional to do the job for you.
