Painting can be a daunting task. Whether you're painting a room or your whole house, obtaining the right tools and doing some groundwork before you start can make the experience a whole lot easier, not to mention quicker.
Here are some tips for how to prepare yourself and your space for painting.
Start with the right tools
When preparing to paint a space, be sure to obtain the right tools to make the job as easy and efficient as possible. Aside from your paint colour, this can include:
- Brushes - a roller brush for large areas and a small angled brush for corners and edges.
- Extension poll - for your roller brush if you need to reach high up places.
- Roller grid and bucket or paint tray - a roller grid or tray will help to ensure your brush is coated with an even application of paint and minimise dripping. Just make sure you purchase one that fits the size of your roller brush.
- Tape - to secure drop sheets and cover frames, power sockets and skirting board.
- Old cloths, rags or drop sheets - to cover furniture and keep on hand to wipe up drips as you go.
Cover up your floors and furniture
If you're unable to remove your furniture or other items from the space you're about to paint, cover them with plastic, an old bed sheet or even a shower curtain. Try to use thicker materials to minimise tearing and secure the sheet with tape.
It's also a good idea to cover the floors, particularly carpet where stains are hard to remove, and tape up your skirting boards, window/door frames and power sockets. Make sure to remove the tape carefully and immediately after you have painted, otherwise it may stick to the paint and cause peeling when you attempt to remove it later.
Patch up holes and clean the walls
Before you start painting, fill any chips or holes in your walls and sand down uneven surfaces. This will help to create a level base for your paint.
It's also recommended you wash away any marks, dust and dirt from the walls with water and a mild dishwashing soap so you can start with a clean surface and ensure any blemishes do not peek through the paint. Be sure to let the walls dry however, before you start painting.
Prime first
When painting new, bare or exposed surfaces, or painting a light colour over a previously dark shade, it's a good idea to use a primer first. The primer coat will provide a smooth application for your paint and better colour accuracy.
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