How to Make Paint Last Longer

Proper care of painted surfaces will extend the life of your paint.

Painting your house can refresh its appearance at an affordable price. While painting itself is one of the most cost-effective remodeling options, it is a time- and labor-intensive option. Keeping your paint in pristine condition can be accomplished with simple maintenance and by taking a few simple precautions. Depending on the paint and paint preparation used, you can extend the life of your paint by a few years.

Things You'll Need

• Cloths
• Mild detergent

Instructions

1. Remove any items that are taped to the walls. Never use tape on walls, as it will damage the surface and peel the paint off. Use nails if you have to hang something on the wall. Do not hang anything on the wall for at least 72 hours after painting a surface to ensure the surface is fully dried.

2. Clean all stains within minutes of the stain landing on the painted surface. Use a wet cloth to wipe clean any stains. Use a small amount of mild detergent if the stain does not come off with water alone. Use a dry cloth to dry the surface. If you leave a stain on the surface for longer than a day, it can penetrate the painted surface and be impossible to remove later on.

3. Remove all heavy items and furniture that rest on the walls, placing them as near as you can to the wall without physically making contact. Furniture that touches and scrapes against the painted wall surface will tend to peel the paint off.

4. Remove all sources of moisture from the walls. Look for leaking faucets near the walls or leaking rain gutters and fix them. Moisture not only damages the paint but can lead to mold and rotting of the building materials used to build the wall.

References

• Mrs. Clean: How to Clean Painted Walls