Searching for ways to escape common painting mistakes? We did some of the work for you by compiling a list gathered from painting professionals. Take a look at what we found.
Choosing the Right Color for You
Don’t choose a color from a paint chip alone. The light in the hardware store is not the light you have in your home. You need a chance to see the paint on your wall in morning, afternoon, and evening light. You also want to keep your lamplight in mind. What about your furnishings? How will they look with a particular color on the walls? There’s only one way to find out and that’s to ask for a few samples that you can take home and paint on the wall. Just live with those paint splotches for a few days before you make your decision.
If you need inspiration, check out these blogs:
2023 Paint Colors of the Year Are Here!
How To Choose Interior Paint Colors
Bumping the Ceiling
We’ve probably all done this a time or two. Bumping the ceiling causes an sightly mark and a time consuming correction. You can avoid this problem by “cutting in” or painting a strip with a brush along the top of the wall. You can also roll on a horizontal strip of paint parallel to the ceiling first. Then roll vertically up to the horizontal strip. This provides a buffer and will help you avoid a messy mistake.
Painting Over Glossy Finishes
When you paint over any surface that already has a coat of varnish or glossy paint, the paint won’t properly stick and you’ll be left with a terrible-looking finish. Make sure you prepare the surface by thoroughly sanding or wiping the surface with a liquid deglosser (the cleaner and more effective method, leaving no dust or paint particles). In fact, using a deglosser is a secret painting tip from the pros.
Painting in Low Light
Avoid painting interior surfaces in dim light. While the painted surface may look fine at first, when you uncover the windows or turn on bright lights you’ll likely see thin patches and other imperfections. The best light to paint in is daylight.
Painting Without A Primer
It may add a little time to your project, but painting without a primer is never a good idea. Woods like red cedar, redwood and cypress all have tannins that bleed through most latex paint. Fix the problem by priming these types of wood with a stain-blocking primer. Look for “tannin blocking” on the label. Primers are also important for walls because prepare the surface to adhere to your new paint color and ensure you get the truest shade.
Have more questions about interior painting in NY or CT?
Contact us at A.G. Williams Painting! We’d love to help. And, working with a professional painting company is the BEST way to ensure a job done right without any hassle or stress.