The Less Stress, Less Mess, Smarter Way To Paint A Room
Brushing up on the best way to paint a room might be easier
with a full palette of ideas from the experts:
Color. The first step is paint color selection. It's a good
idea to try a small sample on the wall or hang up a paint color swatch to see
how light affects the color at different points in the day. Some paint
manufacturers make it even easier for you. For example, Behr's Preview Samples
let you create your own custom-tint 8-oz. paint sample, enough to paint a 4' x
6' area of your home. You can order the inexpensive samples through the
company's Web site and they will be shipped directly to your home.
Sheen. After deciding on color, you may want to select a
sheen. For example, a flat/matte sheen helps hide surface imperfections.
Low-lustre flat enamel sheen is very washable and perfect for high-traffic
areas, while eggshell enamel offers superior scrubability. Satin enamel has a
silky warm, pearllike finish, while semigloss is sleek, radiant and scrubbable.
Calculate. Determine the amount of paint you'll need by
measuring the height, depth and breadth of the room. Be sure to subtract the
measurements of the doors and windows.
Prepare the room. Remove or cover the furniture. Make sure
it's away from the walls so you have room to work. Remove switch plates and
outlet covers, and tape hinges, doorknobs and other small items you don't want
painted. Cover your floors with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting. Items that
should not be painted (such as securely attached window valances and ceiling
fans) should be completely covered with plastic sheeting or masking paper.
Repair any holes or dents in the walls. Remove any loose debris from the
damaged area using 100-grit sandpaper or a lightly water-dampened rag. Using a
putty knife, apply a thin layer of patching material to any cracked or dented
area, feathering the patching material one to two inches away from the repaired
area to blend the surface evenly. Allow to dry. Sand finished area with
220-grit sandpaper, blending the patched area evenly with the surface. Scuff
sand glossy surfaces.
Application. Once you get the paint home, stir it
thoroughly. Use a high-quality, nylon/polyester brush. Dip a third of the
bristle length into the paint. Remove the excess paint from the brush by
tapping the bristles against the inside of the paint can. Apply paint to the
perimeter edges of the project area with a brush prior to rolling. Start at the
top and brush the paint from the nonpainted area to the previously applied
areas. Reload the brush as necessary to maintain a wet edge, approximately
every five inches. Once the perimeter of the wall is done, pour the paint into
a paint tray or a five-gallon bucket. Dip the roller cover completely into the
paint, covering the entire roller cover area. Remove excess paint by rolling
onto the ribbed section of the paint tray or bucket grid. Starting in an upper
corner of the wall, place the loaded roller cover approximately three to four
inches away from the painted perimeter. Working in a three-by-three-foot area,
roll a "W" onto the wall. Roll back into the previously applied paint
to maintain a uniform finish. Continue the "W" technique three to
four inches away from the last section applied. Work from the top down, until
the wall is completely covered.
Cleanup. Remove all tape and coverings. Take drop cloths out
of the finished room and shake off dust and debris. Reattach switch plates and
outlet covers and any hardware that was removed. Vacuum the floor, re-hang
pictures and mirrors and put furniture and decorative accessories back where
they belong. Wash brushes, rollers and pans in warm, soapy water. Work the
cleaning solution throughout the brush bristles or roller cover, rinse twice in
clean water. Allow to dry.
Sit back and enjoy your beautifully painted room.
This advice is based on information provided by the experts
at Behr, long known as a manufacturer of quality paint, stain and varnish
products. |