DIY How To Paint Your Home Like Professional Painters Would
Before we get to the Do-It-Yourself advice you clicked for, allow us to present a cautionary tale. Although it’s less of a cautionary morality play and more of a “Wow, get a load of this moron, eh?”
In his 20’s, this author shared a two-bedroom apartment with a bit of a slacker. One day, in a fit of boredom, this slacker roommate decided to take spray paint, stencils, and markers to the wall. He probably envisioned an elaborate mural, a piece of artwork that would really tie the room together. Instead, it looked like a stoned child had drawn on the walls (which is exactly what happened).
When it came time to move out and repair the damage, the roommate went to the hardware store and came back with a tiny jar or paint (the wrong shade) and an artist’s paintbrush. The point is, while many people won’t want to invest their money on commercial painting contractors, not all of those people will have the home improvement background necessary to paint a house or apartment the right way. Especially if they’re the kind of person who still draws on the wall like a small child. Because, no, you can’t paint a room with a teeny, tiny art paintbrush.
So how do you paint your house like painting pros would?
1. Clean Up!
That’s right, you need to thoroughly clean the entire area. And we don’t just mean the walls. Clear away all surfaces, walls, and floors before you bring out the commercial paint cans. Use a vacuum to remove as much dust as you can from the room. And if you’re painting the outside, make sure no pollen, leaves, spiderwebs, or other debris is sticking to the walls.
2. Preparation, Preparation, Preparation
No, preparation involves a lot more than just cleaning. If you’re painting the interior of a home, then you’ll want to be sure to cover any surface or floor that you don’t want covered in paint splotches. For exterior jobs, you’ll need to remove flaking paint, apply caulk, and prime. If you don’t, then you risk an inferior finish that will require repainting much sooner than you anticipated.
3. The Right Tools For The Right Job
The equipment and tools you’ll need to purchase will vary depending on whether you’re painting the interior or exterior of your home. Commercial painting pros use extenders for drywall, woodwork, and doors. The painting equipment you’ll need also depends on the type of surface you’re painting. Stucco, for instance, requires a spray applicator rather than rollers.
4. Pro Tips
There are more than 315,000 painting contractors working in the States this year, and most of them use five gallon paint buckets instead of roller pans, which are more likely to tip over. And professional exterior painters know that it’s best to paint when the temperature is between 60 and 90 degrees.
5. Consult Your Homeowners Association!
Many American homeowners have strict limitations on the color palate they’re allowed to use on the exterior of their home. Don’t waste time on a paint job that you’ll just have to cover up as soon as it dries.
If these five steps sound like a little too much work, then it might be time to call in the professionals.