Factors Affecting The Duration of The Painting Process

Whether you’re painting a room or your entire house, you’ll want to know how long it will take. The answer depends on the paint used, the room’s dimensions and the preparation needed before painting.

Getting the room ready can take some time, but it’s an important step that will help ensure your final outcome is as smooth and flawless as possible. So, before jumping into the painting process, ensure you have the right supplies and tools.

Preparation

Before painting your walls or house, you must prepare them properly. This is an important step that can prevent splotches or drips from happening and make for a smoother paint job.

The prepping process for walls typically involves cleaning them, patching holes and repairing any cracks or other damage. It also includes sanding them to remove rough or uneven surfaces that might show through the paint. Professional painters like Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting know the importance of priming the painting surface. They will take the necessary precautions to thoroughly clean and prepare the area to ensure that your lovely shade of vintage blue adheres well and withstands daily use. Consider hiring a professional rather than just doing it yourself to avoid making expensive mistakes.

Walls

Before painting a room, you must prep the walls and other surfaces. This includes cleaning, sanding and priming the wall surfaces and any trim.

Before you begin, use a diluted baking soda solution to remove dirt and stains from the walls. Then wash the walls and painted trim with an emulsifying cleaner and rinse thoroughly.

Now check for any small holes and dings that need repair, like nail holes or a crack in the wall. These flaws will be easier to spot if you hold a light next to the wall and move it across it (a process called “raking”).

Mark, the spots with tape, then fill in the holes or dings with spackling. You’ll save time in the long run by repairing minor problems before you paint instead of hiring a pro to do it for you.

Ceiling

A ceiling is an integral part of a room’s design, as it’s often the first thing people see. So, it’s essential to paint it well and finish it cleanly.

Once you’ve sanded and cleaned the surface thoroughly, use quality interior ceiling paint or high-viscosity latex paint labeled for painting the ceiling. These colors have a slightly thicker consistency that sticks better to the top and dries more slowly.

When you’re ready to paint, remove furniture and cover the floor with drop cloths. This will prevent paint from dripping onto the carpet, tiles or floorboards.

Keep your roller covered in saran wrap or a tight-fitting bag during this step to finish the job quickly. This will also help ensure your paint roller doesn’t dry out and clog up.

Trim

Painting trim around doors, windows, and baseboards can make a room look and feel polished. It’s a budget-friendly and easy way to add value and appeal to any home.

Start by scuff-sanding areas where the paint is chipping, peeling, or flaking to prepare it for painting. You’ll want to use 80-grit sandpaper for rougher surfaces and 100- or 120-grit sandpaper for smoother ones.

If the surface is rough, fill nail holes with wood filler (not spackling) and caulk cracks. Then prime the trim with a good quality primer.

Once the primer is dry, brush on a coat of paint using an angled trim brush. Dip no more than an inch of the brush into the paint and remove excess with short strokes. Repeat this technique with another section of trim until all is painted.

Doors

Doors can be tricky, so preparing them properly before painting is essential. To do this, remove the door from its frame and place it flat on a table or other work area.

Once the door is off the frame, sand it smoothly using non-clogging 180-grit sandpaper or a power sander (look for ‘non-clogging’ on the label).

Next, prime the door, if necessary, before you start painting. This will help ensure good paint adhesion and prevent the former color from bleeding through the new color.