If you've recently bought a preexisting home, the first thing you want to do is paint the walls. Applying new paint lets you start fresh in your new home. It also helps cover up any wall odors that might exist. This is especially important if the previous owner was a smoker since tobacco odors linger on the walls for a long time.
If you're going to paint, you want to get the best results. Here are four tips to follow when you paint your interior walls.
1. Start with Clean Walls
If you're going to paint your interior walls, start with some housecleaning. You want your walls to be as clean as possible. Grease and caked-on food can undermine the finish of the new paint. You can use a mild grease-cutting detergent to get your walls clean. Fill a bucket with warm water and add about one-half cup of detergent. Use a soft cloth or sponge to clean your walls. Let the walls dry before you begin to paint.
2. Use a Primer
When it comes to painting your interior walls, you want to begin with primer. Many people skip the primer. But, that's one of the worst things you can do. Primer helps block out stains and odors. This is especially important if cleaning the walls didn't remove all the stains and odors. Not only that, but primer also improves the surface of the wall. This allows you to achieve a flawless paint finish when you're done.
3. Test the Color
If you're painting the interior of your home, get the results you want. Paint swatches are a good way to get a general idea about the color but paint tends to dry either darker or lighter than the swatches. The final color may even look different than the test sample they give you. Before you make a permanent commitment to your choice, test the color. Paint a small section of a wall and let the paint dry. If you're satisfied with the color, then you can finish the room. If you're not, choose a different color for your room.
4. Don't Stop at one Coat
Finally, if you're painting the interior of your new home, don't stop at one coat. One coat might not cover all the imperfections. Not only that, but you might also end up with streaks in your paint. Applying two coats of paint ensures complete coverage. If you're painting over a darker color, two coats prevent problems with break-through. That's what happens when you paint a light color over a darker color. You can simply avoid the problems if you apply a second coat.
If you need to paint your new home, use the tips provided here to get the best results. For questions or concerns about your interior painting, contact a painting service such as Performance Painters LLC.
