Interior Painting Tips for House Painting in the Bay Area
You may have painted your home a few times already. Still, you might be looking for some interior house painting in the Bay Area hacks to make the job less of a chore while arriving at a clean, flawless finish.
Incorporate these tips below for your next interior paint project:
1. Don’t let your paint dry out.
To prevent your half-empty can of paint from drying out, drop some golf balls into the can to fill the air space. Another method is to place a plastic wrap under the lid and seal it tightly. Then store the can of paint upside down.
2. Mix all the same color paint in a large bucket to get a consistent color.
Even though you may use the same color and brand of paint, it may look slightly different from one can to the next. Opening another can of paint of the same color may also look somewhat different from the one on the wall.
Mix the paints in a five-gallon bucket to get a consistent color to eliminate this problem. When you have a problem estimating the coverage, add more paint rather than less when painting interior walls. Use the bucket and roller screen instead of a roller tray for bigger painting jobs. Dunk your roller into the paint bucket, then roll it along with the screen until the dripping stops.
3. Avoid ugly lap marks
Lap marks are the unsightly marks caused by rolling over paint that has already begun to dry. To avoid those lap marks, maintain a wet edge by painting the full height of the wall and then moving over slightly so that you can overlap the last roll with the next.
4. Add texture, if desired
If you plan to texture your walls, go for a roller with a longer ¾-inch nap, which holds more paint. Longer naps create more surface stippling due to how their fibers distribute the paint.
5. Use latex gloves
Latex gloves will keep your hands cleaner and protect them while painting. Latex paints are easy to clean off since they are water-based, but if you’re using oil-based or enamel paints, cleaning can be a challenge. If you are allergic to latex gloves or do not like them, use a similar type of gloves, such as nitrile.
6. Painting techniques: where to paint first?
If you had previously hired professional painters to paint your homes, you might have observed their painting techniques. Pros follow a specific order when painting interior walls: trim first, then the ceiling, and lastly, the walls. It’s easier to tape off the trim than tape off the walls.
When painting the trim, don’t worry if you cannot do it neatly. Instead, concentrate on getting a smooth finish on the trim itself. Some of the paint may get onto the walls, which you’ll cover later when you paint them.
7. Know the type and condition of your surface before using primer
If you’re painting new drywall, choose a latex primer to hide imperfections, prevent the fresh paint from getting absorbed by the drywall, and provide a smooth and even base. If you’re painting paneling and surfaces damaged by moisture or smoke, use an oil-based primer.
8. Use a modified paint stirrer
Before stirring your paint, punch or drill holes in the stirrer to help mix the paint more thoroughly. The paint will flow through the holes in the stirrer, giving it air like a whisk and mixing it evenly.
9. Wrap the brush or roller after a day’s use
You’ve just finished painting for the day, and you know you’ll be returning to your work tomorrow or the next day. If you’re using latex paint, don’t wash your brushes or rollers. Instead, wrap your brushes or rollers in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the fridge. After removing them from the refrigerator, allow them to warm up before using them again. But if you don’t like putting them in the refrigerator alongside foodstuff, wrap them and store them at room temperature. Just make sure that the plastic is air-tight. Wrapping them like this should preserve the brushes or rollers for the rest of the day.
10. Invest in a touch-up paint pen
After painting, you may have noticed some areas that need to be touched up. Buy a paint pen that allows you to load with a bit of the new paint to make minor touch-ups. Once you load the pen with paint, the paint stays fresh for about a year; make sure you shake it well before use so that the paint comes out neatly and evenly.
If you’re looking for more expert house painting in the Bay Area advice on how to get the best finish the next time you paint your home, reach out to Custom Painting, Inc. We’re happy to help!