How To Paint Like a Pro
Follow these 10 important steps to paint like a pro:
- Wait For Dry Weather - Humidity means drips and slow drying, avoid painting on rainy days.
- Do a Thorough Visual Inspection - Lightly sand or scrape cracked, flaking or peeling areas and thoroughly rinse before applying new primer and paint. Clean greasy spots and wipe-down the walls with a damp cloth so that your surface is clean and dust free.
- Use High-Quality Materials - Good brushes and roller covers give are a must so that you don’t waste time and paint on re-application, high-end painter’s tape is best when it comes to sealing out drips and blurs.
- Know Your Nap - The more texture your walls have, the thicker the nap you’ll want on your roller cover so that it can reach into crevices and give complete coverage.
- Protect What You Don't Want to Paint - Painter’s tape and drop cloths are a must, small plastic sandwich bags can be secured with tape and are an easy way to protect doorknobs.
- Remove Light Switch & Outlet Covers - Do not skip this important step. Once covers are removed protect with painter’s tape.
- Use Primer - Paint-and-primer is fine if you already have a clean, smooth surface, but if there are any issues with the wall go with a separate primer.
- Box Your Paint - Instead of using one gallon at a time, combine into one container and mix it thoroughly. This will keep your color consistent from beginning to end.
- Let Your Roller Do The Work - Premium paints flow on easily, and if you have already chosen a good roller cover there’s no need to use much pressure.
- Paint From Top To Bottom & Paint Over Your Mistakes - After you’ve cut in your edges at the ceiling and baseboard using a brush, use your roller to apply paint from the ceiling downward.
Know before you go! Download our full materials checklist:
