Painting Made Simple

By Michele Blandino

Painting is one of those chores that people either love or hate. Regardless of how you feel about the task, however, there is no getting around the fact that whether you are painting one room or an entire house, it is a big job. Indeed, many people are afraid to tackle even the simplest painting job because they are overwhelmed by all they need to know: choosing the “right” paint color, the right type of paint, having the proper tools and going about the process the right way are all things that need to be taken into consideration.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make the entire process seem a little less overwhelming.

Step 1 – The Paint

The first step in any painting job is picking out the color. However, unless you have a good eye for color, the small sample cards most hardware stores and home improvement centers provide are of little help. Fortunately, many paint manufacturers now sell small sample-sized cans of their paint that you can purchase and apply to your walls or house to see if that is indeed the color you are looking for.

You should apply this color to a large section of your wall or house and then spend the next few days examining the color under different lighting conditions. Because different types of light can affect the color you see, be sure to examine the color under both natural and artificial lighting. Be sure to paint a big enough space so that you can get a good idea of what the color will look like when it is applied to the rest of the wall.

You will also need to know the type of paint you will want to use. There are several types: flat paint, semi-gloss, high-gloss and satin. Typically, the type of paint you use depends largely on the area being painted. For instance, flat paint is primarily used on home exteriors. Semi-gloss is the typical choice for trim, bathrooms and other areas that may get wet while high-gloss is often used for trim. Finally, satin paints are usually used in the most heavily used rooms in a house: the family room, living rooms and hallways.

Step 2 – Getting Ready

The first thing you will need to do is get the surface that is to be painted, ready. Since the optimal painting surface is one that is clean and smooth, it may be necessary for you to sand. Once that it done, you should apply a coat of primer.

If you are painting the exterior of your home, be sure to cover your sidewalks, bushes and flowers so that they are not destroyed by dripping paint. Inside, you should take care to cover your furniture and floors as well as tape over trim, doorknobs, switch plates and any other surface you do not want painted.

Finally, pay close attention to the weather, since weather that is too cold, too wet or even too humid can affect the drying process. Ideal painting weather is an outdoor temperature above 50 degrees and little to no humidity.

Step 3 – Equipment

The old adage “you get what you pay for” applies to painting as well. While saving a few dollars on discount paint or cheap brushes may make you feel good in the checkout aisle, in the long run you will likely find yourself quite dissatisfied with the final outcome. Consequently, it is a good idea to buy premium brands as well as well-made brushes and rollers. Similarly, you should invest a few dollars more in painter’s tape rather than using the masking tape that is probably lying in your kitchen drawer. Painter’s tape tends to be less sticky which makes it easier to remove and reduces the chances of pulling fresh paint off with it.

Step 4 – Get Started

While opinions on this vary, most people prefer to paint a room from the top down, meaning they begin with the ceiling before progressing to the walls and then the trim. While it really boils down to a matter of preference, it is important that you find the method that best suits you and stick with it.