How to properly prep for Interior Painting

The easiest rooms to paint are in good condition needing only minor wall preparation for painting. Covering and protecting non-painted surfaces is always a good place to begin. This includes moving the furniture away from the walls toward the center of the room. If possible, remove as much furniture from the room. The less obsticles the easier the room is to paint. Repair can be pulling a few nails no longer needed for hanging pictures and filling small holes with light weight spackle. Minor cracks in the walls can be filled with the same spackle. Now is a good time to check the caulking around windows and where the trim meets the wall, this includes all of the base and casing. If the trim is painted recaulk with a good Elastomeric. Minor stains on the surfaces needing paint should be washed with mild soap and water or primed with a stain blocking primer if they can’t be removed by washing. Now the Interior can start. Apply the same type of paint that is on the surface or choose a good Interior primer that is compatible with the finish paint. Now it’s time to examine all the walls and ceilings for paint problems, such as stains, holes, cracks, peeling and other imperfections. Interior paint preparation is providing a perfect background for the finish paint. Stains; water, rust, or mildew stains are an indication of bigger problems- a leaking room, plumbing problems, or poor ventilation. It’s critical that the cause of the stain be addressed; otherwise, the problem will recur and ruin your new paint job. Clean off any mold or mildew, then prime the area with a stain-killing primer. For difficult stains, like nicotine, smoke damage, permanent marker, or makeup, you may need two coats of primer to keep the damage from showing through the new paint. Peeling paint must be scraped or sanded smooth before the project can proceed. This is common in older homes; it’s important, if your home was built before 1978, to practice lead paint safety and call for a lead test. Patch any holes in the drywall; small imperfections can be sealed with spackle, but for large openings, a drywall patch may be necessary. If corners are cracking, apply a paintable caulking to smooth the area. Paintable caulking should also be applied along the painted base and casing. Prime all repairs and any raw wood before painting. All repairs need to be fully accomplished and primed before proceeding with the application of the finish paint. Priming drywall repairs or raw wood is necessary before painting. Whatever your situation, make sure that you use high quality materials, and don’t be afraid to take your time with prep work. After all, doing it right will save you time and hassle in the long run- and produce more beautiful results!