Caring for your interior painting project.

Step-by-step instructions for caring for your newly painted interior.

Key takeaways:

• The paint needs to dry for a few hours before the color is accurate.
• Paint needs to cure for a few weeks before it is at its maximum hardness and durability.
• To prevent scuffs or scratches, keep furniture, children, and pets away from walls that have not yet fully cured.
• If your windows have been painted, open and shut them a few times a day so they don’t stick.

Whether you are hiring a professional or doing the painting yourself, it’s essential to keep these things in mind in the days and months after the project is complete:

Protect Your Paint for one month while it’s still curing:

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• Paint color is accurate after it dries, which takes a few hours.  Before it dries the color may appear differently than you expect.
• While paint may feel dry to the touch in a few hours, it is not “cured.”  This means newly applied paint may be “soft” underneath.
• Avoid touching painted surfaces for 24-48 hours to let the paint cure.
• Cured paint is much more durable than dry paint.  Curing occurs when the paint has thoroughly dried and hardened. This takes a few weeks.
• Once cured, the paint is at its maximum resistance to scratching, scuffing, and peeling.
• Curing is affected by temperature, humidity, and the type of paint. In general extreme temperatures and high humidity can slow down curing.
• For interior projects, keep windows open on the first day if possible.
• Be mindful of painted windows—open and close them gently to avoid having them stick.

Avoid damaging your newly painted walls

• Keep furniture away from freshly painted walls for at least a few days.
• Be mindful of children (think of a child riding their scooter down the hallway).
• Be mindful of pets (think scratching, scuffing, etc.)

Cleaning Your Walls

• Wait a full 4 weeks before cleaning any painted surfaces to allow the paint to cure.
• Use only mild soap and water to clean the walls.
• We do NOT recommend using a Magic Eraser on the walls – it can ruin the sheen.
• Soft cloths or sponges work best—avoid abrasive materials that could scratch the paint.
• For high-traffic areas, consider wiping down walls more often to maintain their finish.

Touch-Ups

• If you notice any chips or scuffs, use leftover paint to maintain a consistent color.
• Keep some paint in the original can or store extra paint in an airtight container for future use.

These simple steps will ensure your paint job stays looking new for as long as possible! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.