How to Paint a Room Black

Painting made easy.

Selecting a paint color is one of the most important aspects of remodeling a room. Many people are afraid to use black paint. The thought of a black bedroom usually strikes folks as depressing, but with the right accessories, such as funky fabrics and artwork, it can look fresh. Any room in your home can be dramatically transformed with black paint. If you want a color that adds a touch of drama to your home decor, black is an option.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Screwdriver
• Plastic bags
• Detergent
• Sponge
• Putty knife
• Spackle
• Sandpaper, 220 grit
• Primer
• Paint
• Brushes

Instructions

1. Remove any large items that you can from the room. If you are unable to remove certain items, push them toward the center of the room and protect them from paint spills or splatters with a drop cloth. Remove artwork, posters and decals from the walls. Once the electricity has been turned off, ceiling fixtures should be removed with a screwdriver or covered with plastic bags. Remove the switch plates and outlet covers in the room.

2. Use a mild detergent to clean the walls. Use a clean sponge and water to rinse. Allow the walls to dry for 24 hours.

3. Check the walls for any imperfections, such as loose paint, cracks and small holes. The surface of the walls must be smooth. Any imperfection becomes obvious when painted. Use a flexible putty knife to apply spackle to imperfections. Allow to dry overnight. If necessary, apply another layer of spackle to make the repaired area even with the wall. Allow to dry overnight. Sand the repaired areas with 220 grit sandpaper to remove any blisters, bubbles, or ridges. Remove sanding dust with a cloth.

4. Ask the store to mix the exact amount of tint into the primer as in the paint color. A deep base tinted primer will prevent the original color of the wall from bleeding through the black paint. It also can help prevent streaks as you paint.

5. Use a small brush to apply primer to the corners and crevices in the room, making a 3 inch strip of paint around the room. Apply primer around electrical outlets or switches. Apply the tinted primer to the larger sections of the walls like you do paint. Allow the coat to dry for at least 24 hours. Apply a second coat of primer. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

6. Mix black paint well, stirring from the bottom of the gallon up because pigments tend to settle.

7. Apply a semi-gloss black paint to the walls with a paint roller using light pressure. Roll your paint on the wall, making up and down parallel strokes. Once you have finished painting the area, load your roller with more paint. Roll over the area in a vertical motion to even out the paint and remove bubbles.

References

• House-Painting-Info: Interior Painting Project