Choosing paint
Pop along to your local home improvement centre, paint or hardware store and select the right paint for the job. There are many different types of paint, but here’s a quick list of the most popular paints used for home interiors:
– Flat, matt or suede
These types of paint are ideal for hiding imperfections on walls; those lumps and bumps in the plaster finish or brush strokes from previously painting, but the downside of this type of paint is that it isn’t washable. A flat, matt or suede paint is best left for a feature wall that won’t need wiping down on a regular basis.
– Satin, sheen or semi-gloss
While these paints may not hide imperfections as good as matt paints, they are still have a certain amount of hiding power. While flat paints don’t reflect light, satin or sheen paints do not have a high reflective finish but are washable, making them ideal for any walls in a home that need to be wiped clean from time to time.
– Gloss
Because gloss paints reflect light they also tend to show even the smallest imperfection, which is why gloss paints are best left for trim.
Painting equipment
Depending on the finish of the walls in your home you may need more than one paint roller and a selection of paintbrushes. Paint rollers are available in short or long pile. A short pile roller is used on a smooth wall, while a long pile roller on a textured wall.
You will need small paintbrushes for cramped areas or for detailed areas and medium paintbrushes for painting in corners and cutting in around the edge of a ceiling or skirting board.
Painting tips
– Put down drop cloths to protect floors and any furniture that cannot be removed.
– Mask off any fittings with masking tape to protect from drips and splashes. I prefer to cover light switches and plug points with tape rather than remove them.
– Open windows and doors for ventilation.
– Dress for the occasion! Cover your head with a headscarf or cap and protect footwear with plastic bags. Wear comfortable rubber-soled shoes if you need to climb up and down a stepladder. Or invest in an extension pole to make painting high up easier.
– Start from the top and work your way down. Painting the ceiling first means that you won’t get splashes and drips on previously painted walls. Leave painting trim, such as frames and skirting boards until last.
When using a paint roller you want to ensure that the pile is fluffed up for better paint application. Most paint trays have a section with raised bumps that help to lift the pile on a roller. Roll a flattened pile over this before coating with paint and then roll over the bumps again to even the spread of paint over the entire roller.
Paint corners with a paintbrush and then roll over this with the paint roller. This ensures an even finish right up to the corner.
Apply paint to walls in an overlapping ‘W’ motion. After applying the paint you can go back over this to spread any excess paint to the surrounding area. You want as much coverage as possible without having too much paint in one area, as this may run and spoil the finish.
Follow the guidelines above for an easy DIY painting project that will leave you feeling satisfied with a job well done.
Article courtesy of EasyDIY
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