apapaintersdecorators

Are you dreaming of adding extra comfort to your place by escaping from these pale, unwelcoming walls you see every day? If that’s the case, you probably think about refreshing your home by painting the rooms in beautiful, modern shades. Simple as the task may seem, it requires that you deal with a few things before grabbing the brush and start with the real job. Don’t rush into painting without completing these important steps. You can achieve great results and be proud of your amazing interior, as soon as you are ready with:

• Protecting the furniture – in a painting job you will encounter a lot of mess. Even if you can work cleanly, little drops of paint are still a threat to your furniture. Keep it safe by relocating lighter objects to another room and cover heavy furniture like your couch with plastic. The simplest way to protect huge furniture is to push all items to the centre of the room and then use the plastic to encase them. Being placed away from the walls guarantees that your furniture will be intact while painting lasts. Don’t forget to unhook and remove items like frames and mirrors from the walls too.

• Protecting yourself – as you already discovered, painting can stain your furniture and it needs to be protected. The same threat concerns you as well, that’s why you should take care of your protection. While painting, wear clothes that you wouldn’t regret damaging. You should also benefit from protective goggles that can keep your eyes safe from paint drops. In case you decide on sanding the walls, you will need a face mask as additional protection against dust particles entering your lungs. 

• Fixing the walls – for a flawless painting job you should get the walls ready for being renewed. Inspect them for nail holes and other imperfections that need to be corrected before paint is applied. A professional painting approach has a lot to do with perfectly smooth walls. If the surface has uneven spots, this is the first thing that will draw your attention when walls are exposed to direct sunlight. So if you find any cracks or old bumps and you are not certain that you can fix them the right way, look for an expert company to deal with the issue.

• Washing the walls – cleaning the walls before painting is a step that first-time painters often unintentionally skip. Yet that action is as important as the rest of your preparation. Get the vacuum cleaner and make sure that the walls are absolutely dust-free so that the paint can stick better. While vacuuming, look for old spots and contaminated areas that can be washed before painting. If you find any, don’t hesitate whether you should get rid of them. Clean stains the same way you eliminate regular spots- use a cloth or a rag and a proper cleaning solution. Laundry detergent, mixed with water is also an alternative, in case you run out of a store-bought cleanser.

• Applying tape – one of the most valued qualities expert painters have is their ability to draw straight lines. Since you are not a pro, you can’t be sure that your walls will end up with ideal lining. That’s why you should take advantage of a special tape that can guide you while you paint. Besides, this tape protects areas like window frames and light fixtures that you don’t want to interact with the paint. Completing this step may take more time than you have expected, but it is a preparation phase any no-pro painter should go through with.

All of these five steps are equally crucial for a rewarding painting job. Follow them in the exact order for an outstanding home interior. 

© APA Painters & Decorators