It is not at all difficult to paint a room and end up with professional results. You just need to learn how to paint the room, work efficiently, in a neat way and with a careful preparation. In order to help you, here are all the steps you need to take.
Plan Your Paint Job
Just as with everything in life, planning is really important. You need to be organized before starting the job. Prep work can easily be done one day before you will paint. Make sure that you move the furniture and that you cover it so that it is protected. If you will paint ceilings, make sure that you also cover the top of the furniture. Drop clothes can be used to cover the floors. Gather tools on the floor in just one area. When you paint, make sure that you will paint from the top down.
Repair All Damaged Surfaces
You want to remove the flaking, old paint and you want to sand paint the areas that are glossy. Primer-sealers are needed to cover the high gloss enamel. Always fix all cracks, chips and dents before the painting starts. Path the small imperfections and use drywall compound or spackling compound. If the hole or crack is larger, cut the plaster/drywall so that a patch is created. Cut till wall studs are found with drywall and with plaster walls, bridge gaps with the use of fiberglass tape. Patches need to dry properly and then be sanded before painting can begin.
Prep Your Room And Materials
Make sure that you remove all picture hangers, wall sconces, outlet covers, electrical switches and wall attachments or fixtures. Outlet screws can be taped over to mark their positioning.
Painters tape can be used to mask around woodwork and windows. Superior painters tape will cost a little more but it will leave sharper paint lines. You can remove it with ease and will not affect the paint job. Just paint on the dry, clean surfaces. When you have weather that is damp, do close the windows and run dehumidifiers or air conditioners before you paint. Good ventilation is really important. Always open windows while you work or run some fans.
Always ask about the roller and brush when you buy your paint. We say this because rollers have various fiber lengths and naps, corresponding with paint types and the desired finish. Generally speaking if the surface is rough, you will need a roller nap that is longer. A synthetic roller should be used for the water based or the latex paint.
Using The Brushes
There are many shapes and sizes that are available. A wall brush will be 3 to 4 inches wide, normally being designed for flat, large expanses. A trim brush has a width of 2 to 3 inches with a straight edge, normally being good for window frames and doors. A sash brush has a tip that is cut at an angle, normally being of a 1 and a half inch width.
Remember that you need practice. Do not worry if you do not get it from the first stroke. You want to load your brush by dipping bristles around 1/3 inside the paint. Then you want to lightly pull your brush back against paint bucket/can inner edge. Use your edge in order to squeegee excess paint. When you paint, make a long and smooth brushstroke in order to avoid the brush marks and the streaks.
Painting With Paint Rollers
Many use paint rollers as they think everything is easier. Always make sure that you wear protection for your eyes and hair since paint rollers will drip and spatter. Extension poles should be used for higher areas. When you paint with the paint rollers, you want to apply the paint first in a vertical W pattern then you want to re-roll the area horizontally. The space that you want to work with at a time is around 3 to 4 square feet. Refill your roller and then begin the next application whenever paint does not apply much.
Clean Up
After you paint, you need to obviously clean up. You need to wrap your rollers and your brushes whenever you take a break or when the project is over so that you can clean them. The paint rollers are cheap and you can dispose of them with wishes. However, brushes will be expensive and you need to take proper care of them and then clean them. Tutorials about how to clean paint brushes can easily be found online.