6 Ways To Plan To Paint & The Supplies You Might Need

The paint color is picked and you have bought the paint. Now what? Let us look at a few things or steps you can prepare to paint. A paint supply store such as Dye Home Improvement in Monticello and Monon can help with your questions on processes and supplies to get you fully and rightly prepared for the project.

 

6 Approaches to Get Ready for Painting:

Initially, pull out all nails, electrical covers, and picture hangers from the walls you wish to paint. Dust and clean the walls and ceiling earnestly with a damp mop, except in the bath or kitchen, where grease or steamed on dirt tends to compile on walls…these walls should be cleaned with detergent or a household cleaner that removes oil ahead of re-painting. Allow the walls to dry totally.

  

Second, check the walls and ceiling for blemishes and cracks. Thouroughly fill hairline cracks with spackling material or caulk, using a putty knife. If you don’t have one, you can use a kitchen knife, or even your fingers to flatten it out. Larger holes or cracks should be filled with certain patching plaster, that you can ourchase from your local Dye Home Improvement location. A Reminder to verify that there isn’t any joint separation on the moldings around the windows, doors, and walls. Correct it by re-setting the strips or filling in the cracks with spackle.

Note: To provide proper adhesion of the plaster filler, sculpt out a triangular channel in the wall, narrow on the surface and wider inside. Then fill the plaster into the channel through the small opening. Remind yourself to remove excess spackling with a putty knife or flat knife. When the patching material has thoroughly dried, sand the surface smooth with sand paper or a sanding sponge. Then apply undercoating or primer to the patched areas as needed.

 

Four primary types of scrapers you can use:

Hook scraper: This is suitable for scraping down uneven surfaces and can be used with paint remover or a blowtorch. Hook scrapers consist of a steel blade, with a hook at one end. Some hook scrapers have removable and reversible blades.

Razorblade scraper: Specifically handy for scraping paint from glass or smooth surfaces. May come in different styles.

Wall scraper: Knife-type wall scrapers are for clearing away paint and common scraping. Available in lots of sizes. It can have both flexible and/or a stiff blade. Normally a 2” to 4” width with a stiff blade works best, depending on the project.

Putty knife: A knife with a flexible steel blade used for implementing putty. This is also used for filling, scraping, and cleaning other things as well.

2. Remove Hardware/Fixtures & Apply Painter’s Tape

 

Tip: Wait at least one hour after painting until you remove the masking tape. Run a razor blade along the edge of the tape first, so when you pull the tape up – it doesn’t pull any dry paint with it.

3. “Cut in” and Paint the Outlines of the Room with Primer

After removing hardware and preparing the room…paint around and by the painter’s tape and edges next. Use an angled or flat brush for accuracy. Paint 2” or 3” bands around edges, corners, and frames. Try to do one wall at a time so the paint matches when you fill in while rolling the paint on.

 

4. Prime the Walls

Primers are produced to help seal and close the wall and help prevent mold. It is the most needed part of the painting, chiefly if going from a darker color to a lighter color. Some of our paints offer a paint and primer in one. See our store for details and questions on primer.

  

5. Sand the Primer

Once the primer has completely dried, go back over it with sandpaper or a sandpaper sponge. This will help get rid of any undesirable bumps and ridges that you didn’t see before and “seal the deal” before getting the “real” paint on. Be sure to clean the walls again with a wet towel or sponge before moving on to “the paint”. 

 

6. “Cut in” and Paint

Finally, working from top to bottom, take the tips from above on “cutting in” and then fill in by rolling on the paint. Using a “V” or “W” stroke pattern until each section is covered. Wait a couple hours to completely dry before applying a second coat.

Time to get to painting!

Got questions? Visit our local Dye Home Improvement location in Monticello and Monon to talk to one of our paint associates. Have a unique project and don’t know which paint to choose? Our employees can help with that too! While you are here – find out if we have any special paint or paint supply sales going on to help you save.