|
|
 |
 |
Interior Painting...Transform Your Home into a Beautiful Enclave
Painting the interior of your home can be an exciting and inspiring time for the whole family...even the pets. Changing the look of the interior of your home can prove to be the rallying cry that brings all the family members together for the common good. And when it comes to interior decorating no one aspect of decorating can make such a profound statement as changing the color(s) or even simply renewing your existing color scheme. Whatever the case nothing makes a more dramatic statement as newly painted walls, ceilings, doors and trim. So fasten your seat belt, or should I say unfasten your seat belt and let's begin the journey.
TOOLS TO WORK WITH
In order to do a really good job painting the interior of your home and for that matter, the exterior as well, you will need to invest in quality tools. Tools that will help you do your job better and quicker without a lot of additional problems, so I recommend that you purchase first rate tools instead of a low grade economy lines that are priced cheaper. Take my advice and avoid falling into the same pit holes as I did before I learned the hard way that purchasing quality tools and quality equipment will not only help you do a better job quicker but it will also save you money in the long run.
When painting always use a good paint brush that's manufactured by a well known and highly respected company. You will be amazed at the results you will get simply by doing this. Whether it's a synthetic bristle brush or a china/natural bristle brush, just make sure it is a quality brush. You may have to pay more but again, it is well with it. Trust me.
You will also need a roller frame, roller nap and an extension pole that screws into the bottom of the roller frame to enable you to reach high places like your ceilings and to also give you more leverage when you're rolling your walls as well. Here again, quality is the operative word. Be sure and purchase a roller frame that is solid and built strong enough to withstand the pressure you will exert on it while rolling your ceilings and walls.
When it comes to choosing a roller cover be sure to get one that is suitable for the type of paint you will be using and for the type of surface you will be painting on. For instance, roller covers are made out of different materials and for rolling different substrates. The thickness of the roller nap is generally referred to as the nap or pile. When rolling very smooth surfaces it is better to use a relatively close/thin nap with fibers that are no longer than 1/4" to 3/8" thick. Roller covers like this rarely gives a textured appearance, however, for semi-smooth to medium rough substrates you will do well to choose a roller cover with its nap ranging from a 1/2" to 3/4" thick, and these naps will do a better job of covering medium to rough surfaces as opposed to covers with shorter naps.
And when you're painting rough surfaces such such as: bricks, cinder blocks, stucco, rough wood and even heavy textured drywall; there are roller covers design just for such substrates. These roller covers have longer naps that are 1" and 1 1/2" long and they have the ability to reach into crevices and fill voids that otherwise could not be reached by roller covers with much shorter naps. Whether you choose the more expensive lambskin or sheepskin roller covers or more affordable synthetic covers just make sure it is a good one. Roller covers can be purchased at all paint stores and most home improvement centers, just ask the sales representative and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Personally, I generally roll from a 5 gallon bucket and most of the time I put a paint screen in it to help remove excess paint from my roller after I have dipped it in the paint, but you may prefer working from a paint tray; whatever is more comfortable for you is what you should use.
PREPARATION: GETTING THE SUBSTRATE READY
The word substrate is just a technical term for surface, so don't let that throw you off, after all, my job is to offer information in the most clearest way I can. But it is important to know and understand as many technical terms as possible to help you better comprehend what is being said or written. Now before you begin painting it is so important to make sure your ceilings and walls are ready and worthy to receive the paint. And to be totally honest with you herein lies the work. Make sure all holes are filled, if some of the drywall needs to repaired or replaced now is the time to do it. If the texture cries out for attention--take care of it. If the ceilings, walls, doors and trim need major prep work...do it! There is no substitute for preparation. This is the single most important thing you will do when it comes to painting. It doesn't matter how talented you are as a painter if your substrate is poorly prepared, your finish work will suffer. So be sure and get this right the first time and you will not have any regrets. I promise.
PAINTING: BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
I have been painting for a living since 1984 and I can truthfully say that I can't remember a moment when I didn't really enjoy painting. Whether it was interior or exterior I can truthfully say I have loved every minute of it. Now I know that there are many people who feel just the opposite and I can understand that too, but if you are of the same persuasion as I am then you can find painting to not only be exhilarating but also therapeutic as well. I do. And if beautiful rich and alluring colors--both warm and cool stimulate and excite you like they do me, then surely you must find painting as a "Labor of Love" as much as me. I am a full service home improvement contractor and I love it, but I must confess painting is my true passion and I have felt this way for almost a quarter of a century now and if you feel the way I do about it then welcome to the club and let's get the show on the road.
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION
Before we begin just allow me to say this: when it comes to techniques and fundamentals, nothing is written in stone, in other words, find out what feels good to you; what is more comfortable for you and seems to work better for you. The key to accomplishing a good job is feeling good and being comfortable at the same time, so don't allow any one to convince you to try and conform to a technique that is not good for you. Remember, what may seem good to me just might not be a good fit for you, so just continue to find your comfort zone and stay in it.
PAINTING THE CEILING
When I start painting in a room, it doesn't matter what the size is, I like to start with the ceiling and work my way down. I usually start by painting the perimeters of the ceilings with a brush, this is often referred to as "cutting in". I use a quality brush that's appropriate for the type of coating that I'm using and I methodically move clockwise/counter clockwise until I have completely cut in the perimeter. Having a steady hand can really prove to be an asset here, but if you don't have a steady hand it's still okay, just use blue masking tape to mask off what you don't want to get paint on and remove the tape a little later after the paint has completely dried, that's all to it. You don't have to sweat the small stuff, instead do what many people do including not a few contractors as well. Not being able to paint a straight line is not a barrier to achieving quality results.
Once the ceiling has been cut in now is the time to start rolling it. I find it best to teach people to start in a corner and make a w pattern and continue to roll evenly, making sure you do not skip any areas; but you are at liberty to start any where you wish, just make sure you cover every square inch of the ceiling and do it in a methodical and uniform way. And I always insist on applying at least two top coats and sometimes more if I determine it needs it...even if the contract only calls for two coats. Take your time and make sure that the ceiling is well covered and looks good. Stand back and look it over before you proceed to the next step.
PAINTING CROWN MOULDING
If your home has crown moulding it is best to paint it before painting your walls. Painting crown moulding can prove to be quite a challenge but if you just take the the time you need to do it and by all means, again, feel free to use the blue masking tape to help accomplish this task as well as the you did for the ceiling, if in fact you needed to; you will do just fine. Blue masking type is simply another tool that can be use to help you do a better job, although I know it is part of the material that is used to do the job, yet it can also work as another tool, in the sense that it helps you to do a better job by cutting a straight line. Crown moulding can look beautiful and can accent any room when it is neatly and uniformly painted.
PAINTING THE WALLS
After the crown moulding has been painted you are now ready to paint your walls. Unlike painting ceilings, walls are a little easier to paint and there is no over head work to do. However, you may have walls that are much higher than eight feet, if so, just use a longer extension if you need to. But generally speaking walls are easier to paint than ceilings. And like the ceilings the first thing I like to do is cut in the perimeter of the walls. You may prefer to do just the opposite, again, do what works for you. It's really all about you and what is more comfortable and agreeable for you...and not me or any one else for that matter. Find your niche and just go for it. It is really not that hard to do. After I have cut in the perimeter of the walls I begin to roll in a pattern just like I did when painting the ceilings and I try not to stop until I'm finished. My goal is to have a uniform and neatly painted wall and I will continue throughout the room.
PAINTING THE DOORS AND TRIM
Painting the doors and trim need not be a task filled with anxiety and trepidation, instead with the correct approach you can do a swell job and finish with grace. Painting in itself requires patience and more patience, but painting doors and trim requires even more. Remember to brush evenly and methodically so as not to leave brush marks. Learn how to evaluate your work while you're working and closely monitor what you are doing, in other words allow your work to become a laboratory that you can use for future reference--I do, and I compile and store the data in my mind, in hope of doing a better job the next time.
Trying to tell someone how to hold a brush; how to paint a straight line is just not how I instruct someone on how to paint, instead, I try to convey the importance of finding your own style; your own technique, and your own way of doing things so that you will be comfortable when you are painting. And in my opinion that's what it's really all about.
CONCLUSION
Transforming your home into your very own castle can be done inexpensively by simply painting your interior yourself. You can bring about astounding changes that can be awe inspiring all the while saving a great deal of money...not the mention the boost accomplishing a task of this magnitude can do for your self esteem. Good luck and I wish you well.
| If you have found this
article to be helpful, please consider making a small donation. Thank
you kindly. |
Disclaimer: The author of this article is not responsible for any injuries that may occur due to the content of this article or any other article written by him. Please consult a reputable contractor in your area. Thank you.
 |
|
|
 |
