How to paint a room professionally
Painting a room is something that most people can do. A professional can do a great job. Pros have more experience than average homeowners, but they also know the techniques and tricks that will make them better painters.
Six professional painters were asked to share their secrets. The secrets of professional painters’ paint rooms will help you get better results and work more efficiently. You might be surprised at some of the things you read. Their secrets, for instance, won’t cut down on painting time.
What is the average time it takes to paint a room?
An average-sized room takes two to four days for a painter. This is how long it takes for a room to be properly prepped, primed and painted. Although it is more work, once you look at the finished product, you will agree that it was worth the effort.
7 Tips from Professional Painters
How to get started
1.Take everything out of the room
Move everything out of your room to begin. Each painter we talked to had a horror story about the times he didn’t follow Rule No. 1. Sometimes larger pieces of furniture can be left in the middle of larger rooms. But Chris Span of Span’s Quality Painting Mobile, Alabama says that you should “take everything out” if you are repairing drywall. Drywall dust can be found everywhere.
Take out all hardware and doors. Label everything with masking tape. Also, invest in drop cloths. Rich Maceyunas of Maceyunas Painting and Wallpaper, Waterbury, Connecticut, says, “It’s amazing how well a few drops paint can cover a flooring.” High-quality drop cloths such as canvas and paper-backed plastic are recommended. Paint can penetrate lightweight fabrics and bedsheets, so be aware of this. Plastic sheeting is a good option, but it can be slippery and won’t absorb drips.
2.Find and Fix Cracks and Dents
Even an old lamp, with a bare bulb, held close to a wall can cause minor cracks and bumps. C. Toto & Sons, Madison, New Jersey owner Carmen Toto uses painter’s putty for minor cracks or dents. For dents deeper than 1/8 inches, he uses plaster from Paris.
Instead of the standard tape-and-spackle method for bridging over recurring stress cracks, Maceyunas uses a rubberized spray-on primer called Good-Bye Crack. A slightly different approach is required for wood that has been damaged. Toto says, “Don’t apply spackle to wood,” because it won’t stick.”
For damaged trim, he uses painter’s putty or a two-part wood filler, such as Minwax’s High Performance Filler. Use a drywall pole to sand any bumps or nibs. Our pros will sand any wall that has been previously painted to achieve smoother walls and better adhesion.
3.Do the Sanding Two Steps
Sanding is a great way to remove chipped paint and also gives you “tooth” for your next coat. Use sandpaper for glossy trim. The sponge molds to the trim shape and lasts longer than paper.
Brian Doherty is a Richmond painter who applies latex to alkyd paint. He also follows the liquid sandpaper hand-sanding method to ensure that the surface is fully deglossed. This prevents incompatibility issues. Doherty says that he has seen latex used on oil-painted trim in homes and it started peeling within a year.
4.Sponge-Bath Walls
Paint over dust is not recommended unless you prefer textured walls. Wash the walls with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a mild cleaner, like Jasco’s Zinsser’s Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or Kilz’s Total One.
5.Roller Rules
The ideal roller would hold enough paint to cover a large area, not spray or fuzz, and be easy to clean. These are some tips to help you choose the right roller. The longer the nap, not only will it hold more paint, but also will create more texture. Dixon. Dixon says that a 1/2-inch nap lambswool roller can hold enough paint without creating too much texture. Span says that even the most expensive rollers can be used. To remove any fibers, wash the rollers in dishwashing detergent.
We spoke to many professionals who prefer 9-inch rollers to 18-inch models. They are lighter, more affordable, and easier for them to use. Maceyunas still believes in the larger roller despite these limitations. He says that the roller can complete a wall in just a few up-and-down strokes, instead of several W and M strokes.
6.Use a bucket
Pros prefer 5-gallon buckets that have a roller grid over roller pans. They can hold more paint than pans, and it’s easier to tip over a bucket, according to Doherty. To avoid color differences, a bucket can be used to box or mix two or three paint cans. Use a bucket with a grid to dip your roller about a quarter into the paint. Then, run the roller over the ramp to mix the House Painters Covington.
7.Work with a Painter’s Rod
You can paint ceilings faster with a painter’s pole or rod. No need to climb up ladders. You don’t have to stand directly under the area you’re painting so that you don’t get any splatter. You can also use a pole to paint walls or floors. Although the pros disagreed on whether a 4-foot or 8-foot pole was the best, they all agreed that a Telescoping Rod is the best choice for everyday use.
