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Prime and paint your walls better than the pros
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Looking to get some new color on those walls? Or maybe it’s high time for a touch-up. In any case, you’ve got your paint and your roller and you’re ready to go, you just need to figure out where to start. Painting a wall is a breeze so long as you follow some simple (but crucial) steps, and we’re here to help you every step of the way, so lay down some tarp, open a window, and get rolling!
Painting an Interior Wall: Quick Overview
- Cover the floor and any furniture with a dropcloth.
- Remove light switch covers and line the edges of the wall with painter’s tape.
- Use a paint brush to prime the edges of the wall.
- Use a roller to work inward toward the center.
- Paint in “W”-shaped strokes for even coverage.
- Coat the wall with a layer of primer to conceal the old color.
- Apply 2-3 coats of paint the same way.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I protect my floors when painting the walls?Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.
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QuestionHow do you clean a paint roller?Patrick Coye is the owner and operator of Patrick’s Painting & Home Improvement in Alexandria, Virginia. With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Patrick's Company won a "Top Job" award from the American Painting contractor magazine in 2020.
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QuestionWhat are common mistakes when painting the interior walls of a room?Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a variety of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.
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Tips
- For more exact color-matching, tint your primer by stirring in a small amount of the paint you’ll be using for your top coat.Thanks
- Between priming, painting and drying time, painting interior walls can become a lengthy task. Schedule your project for a weekend or off day so you’ll have plenty of time to work unhurried.Thanks
- Line the tray with plastic wrap beforehand if you plan to reuse it. Afterward, simply lift and toss the plastic wrap into the garbage.Thanks
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Warnings
- If you've exposed any live wires in your outlets or switches, take care to avoid touching them as you paint.Thanks
- Open a window or wear a respirator to prevent inhaling paint fumes, which can cause dizziness and other adverse effects.Thanks
- Keep small children and pets away from freshly-painted walls until they’ve had a chance to dry. This keeps them safe from fumes or paint ingestion, and keeps your walls safe from smudges.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Drop cloth
- Clean cloth or sponge
- Painter's tape
- Spackle
- Putty knife
- Paint tray
- Primer
- Angled paint brush
- Paint roller
- Paint
References
- ↑ Patrick Coye. Painting Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 July 2020.
- ↑ Barry Zakar. Handyman. Expert Interview. 16 July 2020.
- ↑ Patrick Coye. Painting Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/painting/21017590/how-to-paint-a-room-like-a-pro
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/painting/paint-basement-utility-closet-and-turn-into-an-office-a1079789805/
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/painting/21017590/how-to-paint-a-room-like-a-pro
- ↑ https://www.thisoldhouse.com/painting/21017590/how-to-paint-a-room-like-a-pro
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