How to Properly Prep Before Painting

The holidays are right around the corner and now is the perfect time to give your home a fresh, new look. Before you break out the paint brushes and rollers, be sure you have properly prepared the area.

Clear the Area First

Any painting project can be messy and the last thing you want is to accidentally spill paint on one of your favorite pieces of furniture or throw rugs. Before you begin to paint any room, be sure to clear out as much furniture and accessories as possible. For large items that can not be removed, such as a couch or large bookshelf, Flowers Painting recommends pulling them to the center of the room and covering with plastic. That way they are out of the way and plastic will work to keep them safe and paint free.

Clean the Area

Dust, dirt and debris can ruin any paint job. Before painting, dust and vacuum every surface using a dry towel and vacuum cleaner. Be sure to get into all those nooks and crannies. Walls, moldings and trim may need a good scrubbing to remove built up grime. The cleaner the surface, the better the paint will adhere.

Repair Damaged Areas

Before painting, fix any cracks, scratches and holes. Even the slightest imperfection left on a wall will show once a fresh coat of paint is applied. Sand down any rough spots and patch imperfections with spackle. Also scrape off any peeling or cracked paint that is already on the walls or trim.

Prime the Space

Always adhere a high-quality primer to the wall first. This will help the new color adhere well and will stop older colors from bleeding through. If you are not sure which primer is best, here is what Flowers Painting recommends:

• New Drywall – Water-based primer
• Smoke Stained Walls – Oil-based primer
• Paneling – Oil-based primer
• Repainting Walls – You can simply use paint that already contains a primer. Once a wall has been painted, the undercoat works as a type of primer, so buying paint with a primer in it works well.

Tape Off Certain Areas

You may think that painting around moldings, windows and doorframes is easy, but the chances are your painting skills may leave you with crooked lines and small blotches. A painting job is a lot easier and faster, when you apply painter’s tape around light fixtures, switch plates and moldings. Taping off is one step you don’t want to skip!

Call a Professional

Painting is a wonderful way to make a space look new again. While painting is a good DIY project for someone who wants to do it on their own, painting properly does require a certain level of knowledge, skill, time and patience. If you are not ready to tackle the job alone, call Flowers Painting to schedule a FREE in-home estimate (704) 445-7750. Our skilled crews of painting professionals know how to make every room in your home look new again. Call today to schedule your appointment.