How to Paint Interior Walls Like a Pro
Whether you’re painting your first room or your hundredth, the process can seem daunting. But with a little planning and the right tools, anyone can paint like a pro. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started, from prep work to choosing the right paint. Follow these steps and you’ll be sure to end up with beautiful, long-lasting results.
Get Started With a Good Paint
painting is one of the easiest and most rewarding do-it-yourself projects. But before you start slopping paint on walls, there are a few things you should know to ensure professional results. By taking the time to prep your surfaces and use the right supplies, you can transform any room in your home quickly and easily – with stunning results.
To get started, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. In addition to paint and painter’s tape, you’ll need a drop cloth, an extension ladder (if working on ceilings), a 2-inch angled sash brush for cutting in around trim, and a roll of 1-1/2 inch painter’s masking tape for taping off baseboards and other areas you don’t want paint to touch.
Once you have your supplies, it’s time to prep your surfaces. This means removing all furniture from the room, taking down any pictures or artwork from the walls, and covering any flooring with a drop cloth. Next, use a damp sponge or rag to wipe down all surfaces – this will remove any dirt or dust that could interfere with the paint’s adhesion. Once everything is clean and dry, apply painter’s tape around edges, trim, windowsills, and anywhere else you don’t want paint to land.
Now you’re ready to start painting! Begin by “cutting in” around corners and edges with your 2-inch brush. Cut in about two feet around the perimeter of the
Prepare the Walls
Whether your walls are drywall or plaster, you need to take the same basic steps to prepare them for painting. Walls that have never been painted before will require more prep work than previously painted walls.
Start by cleaning the walls with a mild detergent or TSP (trisodium phosphate). Be sure to rinse the walls afterwards with clean water. Next, repair any cracks or holes in the walls with spackling compound. Once the compound is dry, sand it smooth.
If you’re painting over a dark color, you may need to apply a primer before painting. This will help ensure even coverage and prevent bleeding through of the old color.
Begin Painting at the Top of the Wall
Before you break out the paint, it’s important to prep the room. Start by moving all the furniture to the center of the room and covering it with plastic or old sheets. Next, remove any switch plates, outlet covers, or doorknobs. Once the room is clear and prepped, you can begin painting at the top of the wall.
If you’re painting a ceiling, start in the corner furthest from the door and work your way around the perimeter of the room. For walls, start at the top and work your way down. Use a paint brush or roller to apply paint evenly to the surface. Work in small sections and be sure to feather out any edges.
Use a Foam Roller for the Main Body of the Wall
If you’re not using a paint sprayer, a foam roller is the best tool to use for painting the main body of your wall. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by rolling the foam roller in the paint, making sure to load it up evenly.
- Once the roller is loaded, start at the top of the wall and roll down in even strokes.
- Paint as much of the wall as you can in one go before reloading the roller.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the entire wall is painted.
Do the Edges by Hand
When you paint the edges of your walls by hand, you can get a more precise paint job and avoid the common issues that occur when using a paint roller. When painting the edges of your walls, use a brush to cut in around the perimeter of the room. To do this, load your brush with paint and tap it off on the side of the can. Next, holding the brush at a 45-degree angle, start at one corner of the room and paint a two to three-inch strip along the edge where the wall meets the ceiling or trim. Once you’ve cut in all around the room, go back and roll paint onto the large surfaces of your walls.
Take Your Time and Don't Rush
When you’re painting interior walls, it’s important to take your time and not rush. Rushing can lead to mistakes, and you want to avoid having to start over.
To get a professional-looking paint job, it’s important to prep the walls before you start painting. This means making sure the walls are clean, free of any debris or dust, and smooth. Once the walls are prepped, you can start painting.
Start by painting the trim first, then move on to painting the larger areas of the wall. Use a brush for smaller areas and a roller for larger areas. When using a roller, start from the top of the wall and work your way down.
Be sure to paint in even strokes and don’t forget to wrap up corners with a brush. After you’ve finished painting, let the paint dry completely before adding any furniture or decor back into the room.
Let the Paint Dry Thoroughly
Assuming you have already read the “How to Paint Interior Walls Like a Pro” article, you are ready to paint your walls! But before you start rolling paint on the walls, it is important to let the paint dry thoroughly.
It is best to wait at least 24 hours after painting before adding any furniture or other items back into the room. This will give the paint time to set and dry completely so that you do not damage the fresh paint job.
If you are in a hurry, you can use a hair dryer or fan to speed up the drying process. Just be sure not to put the hair dryer or fan too close to the wet paint as this could cause streaks or other imperfections.
Add a Second Coat If Needed
If the first coat of paint looks patchy, thin, or otherwise uneven, add a second coat. This is especially important if you’re painting over a dark color with a light one, or vice versa. Allowing the first coat to dry completely before adding a second coat will help ensure even coverage.
Use Masking Film
Masking film is a clear plastic sheet that you can use to protect surfaces from paint splatter and overspray. It’s easy to use and can be found at most home improvement stores.
To use masking film, simply tape it to the area you want to protect using painters’ tape. Be sure to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles so that the film lies flat against the surface. When you’re finished painting, peel off the film and dispose of it properly.
Use a Canvas or Fabric Drop Cloth
Whether you’re painting one room or the whole house, it’s important to protect your floors and furniture from paint splatters. The best way to do this is to use a canvas or fabric drop cloth.
Canvas drop cloths are heavy duty and durable, making them ideal for high traffic areas. They’re also easy to clean – just shake them out or vacuum them when you’re done painting. Fabric drop cloths are lighter weight and can be easily folded and stored when not in use. They’re not as durable as canvas, but they’ll still do the job of protecting your floors from paint splatters.
Learn the Cut-In Technique
If you’re painting a wall with a paintbrush, there’s a technique you can use to make the job go faster and give you neater results. It’s called the cut-in technique, and it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it.
Basically, you’ll want to “cut in” around the edges of the wall first, using a small brush to paint a 3-4 inch band along the ceiling, baseboard, and any corners or moldings. Once that’s done, you can fill in the rest of the wall with a roller.
Why bother with cutting in? Well, it’s much easier to get a nice clean line with a brush than it is with a roller. And when you’re painting walls, those clean lines make all the difference in terms of getting professional-looking results.
So how do you do it? Start by taping off any areas that you don’t want painted (ceilings, baseboards, etc.). Then load your brush with paint and lightly dip just the tip into the paint tray. You don’t want too much paint on your brush—just enough to cover the bristles without dripping.
Start at one end of the wall and paint a 3-4 inch band along the edge. Use long strokes and keep a consistent hand motion to avoid leaving any gaps or streaks. As you get closer to the other end of the wall, overlap each stroke slightly so that there’s no visible