Good paint finish starts with preparation

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/07/2008 (6445 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IF you’ve been putting off painting that bedroom, or avoiding the painting project for the spare room, it’s good to know painting is not as onerous a task as you might imagine.

The key to a successful and hasslefree painting job is proper preparation, explains the manufacturer Painter’s Mate Green brand tape, geared especially for painting and ideal on glass, wood and metal.

The company says tackling a painting project is not as intimidating as it looks if it’s broken down into a few simple steps. While making the decision to change a bedroom wall color can happen on a whim, the best results usually lie with those who take the time to select the right materials and prepare adequately for the job.

Follow these simple prep steps for a smooth project:

Take down any wall hangings or other . removable fixtures and the nails holding them up.

Remove electrical and phone switch covers.

To prevent accidents it is a good idea . to shut off the breakers that serve the electrical outlets in the room you’re painting.

Move furniture out of the room. If that . is not an option, place furniture items in the centre of the room and cover them with plastic or canvas drop cloths. (TIP: Pre-taped drop cloths feature a pre-taped edge that helps drop cloths to stay in place. They are available at home centres and paint stores. Make sure they are securely in place using painter’s tape).

Patch and repair any holes or imperfections in the wall by filling with spackling compound and sanding down to a smooth finish.

Clean walls with a sponge and a diluted soapy solution starting from top to bottom. Be sure to rinse the sponge frequently. Make sure walls and other surfaces to be painted are completely dry before painting.

Protect everything you don’t want paint on. For the sharpest paint lines and accurate results, apply good quality painter’s tape on trim, window and doorframes and baseboards.

Apply a pre-taped drop cloth, carpet masking tape or tarp against baseboards to protect the floors.

Paint walls following the directions . from the paint manufacturer. It is important to remember that there are different types of paint and finishes, which all need to be considered to find the best paint for your project.

To ensure sharp paint lines, remove . tape at a 90-degree angle before paint fully cures. When painting more than one coat, use a utility knife around the inner tape edge to break the paint bond to tape, and then remove at a 90-degree angle.

–Canwest News Service