If you’re considering painting the inside of your home, read our top 6 interior painting tips first and avoid messes, mistakes and potential mayhem.
Buy the best that you can afford
Source: Huffington Post Quebec
Not all paints are created equal. Cheaper paints tend to have a lower spread-rate than better quality ones, so even if you spend less per litre, you’ll end up needing more paint than with a better quality product. Always choose a washable, water-based paint with latex which will improve elasticity and hide imperfections.
Think Green
Source: VW Min
Paint can have a terrible impact on the environment because of the high quantity of chemicals that it contains. Choose a paint with low VOC (volatile organic compound) which are solvents released into the air as paint dries. Not only is it better for the environment, but also for your respiratory system.
Know your Finishes
Source: Kartal Boyaci
- Matt / Flat: This is the finish mostly used for interior painting since the paint is non-reflective, and it works beautifully in covering up any imperfections on a wall surface.
- Flat Enamel: Has the same properties as standard flat paint, but in a water-based enamel that is suitable for wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
- Low Sheen / Semi-Gloss: This can be an enamel or water-based paint and is perfect for both high traffic areas like passageways and wet areas like bathrooms and kitchen. The slight sheen makes it easy to clean and it will look new for years.
- Gloss: Suitable for woodwork details or as a wall finish in both an enamel and water-based paint, this provides a durable, reflective and easy cleaning surface.
Surface Preparation
Source: Sadolin
- To prime or not to prime: New wall always have to be primed with a plaster primer before painting. When repainting a wall with a colour that is close to the existing one, you don’t need to use a primer. If however you are painting a light coat over a strong colour, applying a primer first will reduce the amount of paint you need to use to cover it up.
- Wash: if you paint over dirt and grime the paint won’t stick as well so make sure you wipe down the walls before starting
- Fill: use a ready-mixed filler paste to make good any holes that may have been left by nails or other damage. When working on a plasterboard or wood surface, use a primer / filler combination to simplify the process.
- Sand: one the filler has dried, sand it down to ensure a smooth surface, make sure to use a fine sandpaper so you have a smooth finish.
- Paint: it’s best to paint in daylight as this will allow you to see the coverage clearly.
Damp and other issues
Source: Blackfriar
If you have damp on a wall you will need to take care of that first before you paint. Otherwise the problem will just rise again and ruin your hard work. Stains can be caused by smoke damage or if a spot was missed during priming. Apply a stain blocker and repaint once it has dried.
Rollers & Brushes
Source: Quicken Loans
- Rollers: When choosing a roller, you need to consider the type of paint you’re using, the type of surface and the quality of finish that you’d like to achieve. Avoid using economy all-purpose rollers: they will give you a poor finish with either too much or too little paint on the wall. Check out this handy guide to choosing the right roller.
- Brushes: As with rollers, choosing the right brush is essential for getting the best finish. Choose a high quality brush suited to the specific paint, surface and finish of the wall will give you the best results. Check out this handy guide to choosing the right brush.