5 Quick Tips for Interior Painting on Local 3 Plus You
Posted on April 22, 2022
CertaPro Painters® of Chattanooga, TN owner Nick Murray was once again welcomed on to Local 3 News’s “3 Plus You” program. This time, the discussion was centered on interior painting, and Nick shared 5 tips for DIYers looking to paint a room on their own. You can see the full interview below:
These tips are sure to make your next do-it-yourself painting project a bit easier, but remember: if things get too daunting, we’re always here to offer a free estimate for coming in and taking the work off your hands!
In the meantime, check out these 5 tips to reduce headaches in your next DIY interior painting project:
Don’t Cheap out on Brushes
“Buy nice or buy twice,” says Nick. Spending a little bit more on a set of high-quality brushes goes a long way to reduce hassle when painting, as you’ll find yourself making fewer trips to re-dip the brush in paint and less effort involved with getting paint into corners and crevices.
The Best Way to Cover up Nail/Screw Holes
There’s a good chance that whichever room your painting has holes left behind from nails, screws and thumbtacks that have been driven into the wall. Instead of simply painting or spackling over these, Nick recommends this method:
- Make a small dent in the wall around the hole – the end of a screwdriver is perfect for this. This will make it easier to evenly sand and apply paint to it.
- Apply spackle or drywall mud in and around the hole.
- Once the filler material has dried, sand it down
- Spot paint the area so that it’s not discolored when you apply the final coat to the room.
When to Remove Painter’s Tape
This is a simple one – don’t leave painter’s tape on too long. After the paint has had an hour or so to set, and is dry to the touch, you’re all set. Leaving it on for too long can result in paint being pulled off alongside the tape, so make sure you don’t miss any spots!
Check if the Old Paint is Oil-Based
Many older homes may have oil-based paint, particularly on the trim, and newer latex water-based paints will not stick to it. To ensure that you won’t have this issue, follow Nick’s method for checking whether a previous coat is oil-based:
“So what you gotta do is take a little rag and put denatured alcohol on it, and you just scrub it on the trim or wall. And if the paint comes off, then it is water-based paint and you’re okay. If it does not come off, then it is oil-based paint. And you need to scuff sand it real quick and put an oil primer on it. Once you put an oil primer on it, then you can put whatever kind of paint you want over top.”
Sheen Selection Tips
When choosing a sheen, consider the kind of wear and tear that the room will be experiencing over the years. For example, if you’re painting a staircase, people might be placing their hands on the walls for balance, so you should choose an eggshell or satin finish that will allow some wash-ability. Whereas a ceiling can have a flat coat that will not be as easily washed, but will obviously not be subjected to the same levels of contact that would necessitate it.
Still feeling a bit daunted with the task of painting your home? Remember, professional help is only a click or call away! Click here to schedule your free estimate or give us a call at 423-650-4575, and we’ll do the heavy lifting for you!
