[pedsnurse5]

Ok, I am not very handy around the house, but I have decided to paint my interior walls in the living room, kitchen, and hallway over my Spring Break. (I am a school nurse) ANY TIPS??
Thanks,
Micah

[sheababy]

Preparation is key. It will take far longer than the painting but will result in a professional look and quick cleanup. Start by removing all your light switch and outlet covers. You will want to put these in a bowl or something along with the screws so you can locate them easily when you are done. Use masking tape (or blue painters tape) to cover the light switches and outlets. Do the same with your light fixtures.

If you have holes you want to fill, use a joint compound, let dry and sand smooth before painting. If you are doing the ceiling make sure to cover the entire floor with plastic first. If you are only doing the walls, make sure to cover floors and furniture about 3 feet out (I am a messier painter than most but it's easy to spill). Make sure and cover your trim with tape as well.

As for choosing a paint most people use a flat paint but I prefer a semi-gloss-it is much easier to clean. You will also want a paint that cleans up with water vs paint thinner. You will want to start with a 4 inch brush and paint all the corners from top to bottom, 2 coats. Then using a roller, paint from top to bottom (going up and down only not side to side). Get as close the the corner as possible. Let dry and put another coat on. If you have the time, I like to look at it in different lighting (day vs night) and make sure I have not missed anything. When you are done make sure to clean your equipment immediately so you can use it again.

I would recommend going to a smaller hardware store such as Ace and asking for tips and what tools you need. They will be a little more expensive then a big box store and may not have as large a selection of paint (you could always buy the paint elsewhere). Of course read the directions on the can before starting.

[DPline]

One other thing to add to sheababy's excellent advice - make sure the walls are clean. Especially in the kitchen where grease, etc. has probably collected on the walls even if you can't see it. Washing down the walls before starting can make a big difference in how well the paint adheres.

[Hopingsoon]

My only advice is:

HIRE A PAINTER!

Washing walls, taping, prep, painting ceilings, cutting in trim & ceilings/walls etc. is backbreaking work. I found out the hard way that it is well worth the money to hire someone. (As I write this, I look up at the drips coming down my wall from where I painted my own ceiling last fall - I still haven't gotten around to fixing it).

[JustBarbara]

Sheababy and Debbie have given great points. My only other one would be to open all the windows (where you are painting - as long as it's not windy/rainy), put on your favorite radio station/CD and have a blast. I happen to love painting woodwork, walls, ceilings etc. but I could not stand art class. To me painting is pure therapy - and I love the results. I don't really need to paint my condo but I've been daydreaming about doing it just for the heck of it and ... it is Spring!

[JGarrick]

Originally Posted by sheababy

Preparation is key...

There was lots of good advice in that post, but those three words are perhaps the most important.

A few thoughts:

Drop cloths: I don't like the plastic ones. Get decent heavy canvas ones and just keep using them forever. Also, I cover the entire floor regardless.

Rolling: Load your roller, then roll out an "N" on the wall, going up, then down at an angle, and back up again, covering a square about 2-3 feet on a side. You'll get a feel for how much space you can cover pretty quickly. Next roll out the paint horizontally across your "N" to spread it over the whole area. Finally, roll it out vertically to finish it. This provides very even coverage and feathers the paint nicely into adjacent areas. If you're right handed, I find it easiest to work from right to left along the wall. That always leaves you standing in front of an unpainted section.

Cutting Edges: You can cut edges without taping if you're painting both surfaces. You still have to tape against stained woodwork - the grain can capture the paint even if you wipe up mistakes instantly. Work with a good quality brush and clean up any dabs of paint that go astray immediately. You have to work more slowly than you do if it's taped, but the time you save not taping and removing the tape makes up for it. If you really mess up, you may need to touch up a bit with the adjacent color.

Lights: Get all the light you can where you're working. You can pick up a 500W work light at a home center for $10 - $15. I work with somewhere between 1500 and 2000 watts of light in the room. You want it as bright as noon on the Sahara where you're working so you can see any missed spots.

Smoke: If you're a smoker, quit before painting. It won't make a difference in the job, but you'll feel better. Anyway, if you smoke in the house, scrub the walls and put a coat of Kilz primer on before you paint to kill a lot of the smoke smell. You should also do this if you're putting a light color over a very dark color.

Ceilings: Don't give in to the temptation to skip the ceiling. It really freshens a room to put a sparkling new coat of white up there.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by JustBarbara

I happen to love painting woodwork, walls, ceilings etc. but I could not stand art class. To me painting is pure therapy - and I love the results.

I think that is exactly why I love painting walls and woodwork. (Though I hate painting ceilings!) I don't have an artistic bone in my body (heck, even an artistic cell!) but I can paint a wall! And yes, I too think it is theraputic.



So true what Joe said about smoke. I knew the woman we bought our first house from smoked like a chimney, but didn't know to scrub and Kilz the walls first and just painted them. The smell lasted forever and the walls started to ooze after a while as the nicotine made its way out throught the paint. Not pretty!

ETA: And one other thing, keep the kids out of the way! There is nothing like a freshly painted wall to attract a toddler!

[spidermanteache]

Also...get good paint!! Don't go cheap!

[MommieMin]

I love painting. We hired someone to paint our great room b/c the walls are 19 feet high. I will never do it again. He did a not so good job b/c he used a 3" brush for doing trim.

Use a 1" brush for doing trim. If you use a 4" inch brush it makes it way too hard to get in the small corners. I actually use a small painter brush (art store) to get the small little spots. If you get paint on the trim use a damp rag to wipe it up. It will get it all up. Take your time. Get good rollers. Do not go cheap on them as they tend to shed on your walls if you aren't careful. Get Sherwin Williams Duration paint-satin finish. They are having an awesome sale right now. If your child writes on the walls it wipes right off. Do not use flat paint b/c if you wipe off the walls the paint comes too. My dad is a professional painter so if you need any other tips let me know.

[pedsnurse5]

Thank you for all the great tips. I will start my painting tomorrow after church!!

I am going to use an Eddie Bauer color: Pine Needle Walls. I hope I like it!! I do plan on painting the ceilings also! I am going to paint my living room, hallway (small) and kitchen all with this color. My decor is kinda "Pottery Barn" looking. What do you think??? The color in a green (sage) color. Not too dark, or not too light. I will try to learn to post a picture when I finish.
Micah

Hannah (8yo bio)
Andrea (4yo Guatemala)

[DPline]

Sounds like a great color!

Let me know when you get done and I can post the picture if you need me to. I am dying to see how it turns out!

[guatparents2be]

use low or NO VOC paint
if you have your heart set on a color you can take the swatch and get it matched at a store that makes this kind of paint

it has no smell, no off gassing, and no health hazard

it is important for grown ups AND kids

info about VOCs
Organic Gases | Indoor Air | US EPA

a tidbit: VOCs are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. (Other products emit solvents, including adhesives, cleaning supplies, and even some home furnishings.) VOCs can cause acute symptoms, including headaches and dizziness. The long-term effects are less certain, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some VOCs are suspected carcinogens.

more information and sourcing
Non-Toxic Paint, Nontoxic Paint

[dutchmum]

Last but certainly not least

Start with ONE ROOM AT THE TIME!

I would start the hall way, and move my way around the house. Prep, Paint, Put it together again, before moving to the next room.
This way you will not get so overwhelmed.

Have fun

Masja

[pedsnurse5]

Well, I FINALLY came up with a color to paint!! I did not like the sage color that I originally came up with-it had a grey tint to it. I am so thankful that I bought a sample to try first on the wall.

I picked out "faint maple" for the living room, dining room, and hallway. This area is all open.
Then, "prairie brush" for the kitchen and laundry room. It is a green color!
We painted the hallway and prepared the living area to paint tomorrow!! I am so excited....makes me feel so good!
I will get pictures up when I finish!!

[dspakowsky]

This advice is priceless! I'm going to re-paint our home soon. THANK YOU!