interior painting
When painting a room, it’s best to paint the ceiling first, followed by the walls, with trim, cabinets, and doors painted last. Work from the top down. To maintain a wet edge, only cut one wall at a time before you begin roller painting.
Brushes are used to cut around the ceiling, trim, windows, and doors before using a roller. They are also used to paint trim, window frames, and doors. There are a number of brush sizes available in both straight edge and angle guillotine. Your choice depends on the size of the area you are painting and whether you prefer a straight or angled frame. Rollers are a great time saver for painting larger flat surfaces such as ceilings and walls. Roller covers come in various nap lengths. Your choice depends on whether the surface to be painted is smooth or more textured. The more textured the surface, the longer the nap needs to be to allow the fibers to push the paint into the cracks in the surface.
High quality applicators will provide the best painting results. Cheap or poor quality applicators can make better quality paint look and work poorly. Cheap roller covers do not distribute the paint evenly over the surface and often leave roller lint on the wall. Inexpensive brushes are more difficult to use because they don’t spread the paint evenly and leave unsightly brush marks. High-quality applicators can be cleaned and reused.
When painting, always work from the dry area to the adjoining wet paint area. Use the “N” technique when using a roller. Fully load the roller. Apply the paint in an “N” pattern in a 2¹ x 2¹ area. Fill in the center of the “N” with horizontal strokes from side to side. Lightly smooth the painted area with vertical strokes from top to bottom. Continue using the “N” pattern with a freshly loaded roller directly under the first “N”, working your way to the bottom of the wall.
Time-saving tip: If you take a short break from painting, you can wrap the applicators tightly in a plastic bag or foil instead of washing them.
Always make sure to stir the paint well before using it and do not thin it. If you use more than one gallon of the same color, mix them together to ensure color consistency. Paint when air and surface temperatures are 50°F or above. Avoid touching, cleaning or wetting a freshly painted surface for 30 days to allow the paint to fully cure. After 30 days, the painted surface can be cleaned with water and a mild non-abrasive cleaner. Do not place or hang objects on the surface until the paint is completely dry.
Remember: It is important to follow the instructions on the back of the paint label. It contains the most important information you need for your painting project.