Re-Painting Walls? Here’s What You Must Do Before Painting

The first thing you notice about any place is its wall colours. Based on that, you perceive how you feel about it — pale, striking, luxurious, common, etc. That’s how important painting is for a home.

If you are re-painting them, it can be even more important and tricky. Important because it recreates the whole appearance of your home and tricky because the result can be underwhelming if you don’t follow the right steps.

A commercial painter will enlighten you regarding the entire process required for re-painting. But if it’s a DIY, you need help. Here’s a blog post that demonstrates the whole process of re-painting. Read and follow for the best results!

1. Evaluate the Current Condition of the Walls

First, check your walls and get an idea of its current state. Is there too much peeled-off paint? Are the walls cracked? What’s the old paint colour? Etc, etc. This information will help you plan your re-painting process accurately and effectively.

If there are any significant issues with the wall, such as holes or cracks, you need to address them first. Only then can you get to the painting part. Consult a professional if your walls have too many issues.

2. Deep Clean the Walls

Over the years, your walls must have collected a lot of dust, dirt, and sometimes grease. If you re-paint on top of these contaminants, it will not adhere to the wall properly. So, clean your walls with a mild detergent and a sponge. Pay particular attention to high-traffic areas and corners.

Once they are cleaned thoroughly, let the walls dry for sufficient time before moving on to the next step.

3. Peel the Old Paint or Wallpaper

Whether your walls have paint or paper, you must remove it before painting. Otherwise, the paint job will never come to be satisfactory.

  • For wallpaper: Use a wallpaper removal solution or a steamer to loosen the adhesive and peel away the paper
  • For paint: Scrape it off and sand the edges to create a smooth surface.

Painting on a bare wall like this ensures a seamless adhesion of the new paint, making it last a long time. So, do not skip this step. This may take more time than you expected, so if it’s an issue, consider professional paint removal services.

4. Cover Furniture and Floors

Painting is often a messy job for non-professionals. Lack of experience makes you spill paint all over the place, making the aftermath even more difficult. So, cover your furniture and floors with drop cloths or plastic sheets before beginning to paint, and secure them firmly using painter’s tape. It will protect the rest of your place from potential drips, spills, and splashes, which makes the final cleanup easier.

5. Prime the Walls

A lot of DIY jobs skip this step, but it is almost a non-negotiable if you want the best outcome. Priming your walls will do three things for you:

  • Provides better adhesion for the paint
  • Make the paint colour even more vibrant
  • Maintains the paint for a long time

So, choose a primer that is suitable for the surface you are painting. For example, the primer you use for bare drywall doesn’t work well for water-damaged walls. Research a bit about this and find the best primer.

6. Test Paint Colours Before Committing

Do you have a paint colour in mind? Instead of going with a mental image, test the colour on your surface and see if it looks good. You even have peel-and-stick paint samples today to see how the colours look in different lighting conditions.

Doing so beforehand prevents disappointment and ensures that the final result aligns with your vision for the space. If necessary, you can make adjustments and retry.

This is better than regretting later, isn’t it?

7. Use the Right Paint and Tools

Paints come in different varieties, such as water-based, oil-based, flat finish, washable paints, etc. Each surface will have unique requirements, and you will get better results if you paint accordingly. For example, high-traffic areas may benefit from durable and washable paint, while a flat finish might be suitable for areas with less activity.

Similarly, you should also pay attention to the tools you are using. Picking any random brush will make the job difficult for you while limiting the paint performance. So, invest in high-quality and appropriate brushes and rollers.

Final Step: Apply Paint Strategically

When the time to paint arrives, you must know the right ways to apply paint.

  • First: Start with the edges and corners using a paintbrush.
  • Second: Move to the larger areas and paint them using a roller.
  • Third: Apply two coats of paint to ensure an even application.

After each paint coat, make sure to allow enough time to dry completely. These steps will create a seamless finish, minimising visible brush or roller marks. You need to be patient throughout the process as it takes significant time.

Conclusion:

Re-painting can transform the entire appearance of your home, so take your time with every step. This way, you can ensure minimal mistakes and a professional paint finish. But if you are not ready to go through all these steps, it’s best to leave it to commercial painters. It saves your time, money, and all the physical trouble. Blue Sky Coatings is one of the best painting service providers in Melbourne. So, if you need professional assistance, feel free to contact their experts.