How to Professionally Paint Walls in Your Home

In this article you will learn best practices for painting walls in your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paint
• Paint-brushes
• Paint roller and roller sleeves
• Paint roller pan
• Stir stick
• Drop cloth
• Drywall Compound & Putty Knife
• Sanding Pole
• Extension Pole for roller
• Painter's tape

1. Remove artwork and cover plates from walls.

2. Fill any holes or marks with drywall compound using the putty knife.

3. Once drywall compound is dry, use sanding pole on entire wall to remove any dust or bumps.

4. Use painter's tape to tape around windows, doors and moldings (crown molding, baseboards and/or chair rails). Lay drop cloth on floor and/or furniture.

5. Using a screwdriver, open paint can and stir using stir stick. Coat paintbrush with a liberal amount of paint and begin by cutting in around ceiling, windows and baseboards with patience and long, steady strokes.

6. Once cut in, slide roller sleeve onto roller and attach to extension pole. Pour paint into roller pan. Coat roller sleeve in paint using roller pan and begin rolling paint onto wall. Use floor to ceiling strokes thoroughly coating wall. When more paint is needed, simply repeat and start on wall where you left off.

7. Allow paint to dry and repeat from step 5 if necessary.

8. Remove painter's tape and drop cloth. Thoroughly clean brushes, roller and roller pan using warm water. Make sure all paint is removed if you wish to use materials again.

Tips & Warnings

• If original paint on wall is light and you are applying a darker shade to the wall apply two coats or one coat of tinted primer followed by desired shade. (For example: Going from white to red)
• If original paint on wall is dark and you are applying a lighter shade, be sure to use a primer.
• Latex paints are always easier to use and clean up after than oil-based.

[gahazeleyes]

on 8/29/2009 Very informative. Very good.

[maryanne09]

on 8/29/2009 Great article on How to Professionally Paint Walls in Your Home! 5*'s and a recommend! :o)

[alltrails]

on 8/28/2009 Nice article! Terrific tips - thank you. 5 stars!