When doing home maintenance, it’s important to consider the paint and its cost. The right paint could make your house look bright, but the wrong paint could make it look hideous. Below are several tips to help you repaint your home like a pro:
Prepare the Surface
Before painting, thoroughly clean the surface to eliminate any dirt, dust, or grease. Additionally, address any cracks or holes by repairing them and sanding the surface, ensuring it becomes a level and smooth foundation for paint application. Applying paint to an oily or dirty surface might cause the paint to peel or chip off. Use a de-glosser or a powerful cleaner to tackle grimy areas before painting.
Choose High-Quality Paint
Invest in high-quality paint to ensure better coverage, durability, and a smoother finish. The quality of paint surpasses everything when doing home maintenance. The problem with selecting cheap paint is that it may chip or give your home a cheap look. Quality paint tends to have better pigmentation, which means fewer coats may be needed, helping you save on paint.
Have a Budget
According to Angi, factors that influence the overall cost of painting include your home’s size and siding and other surfaces that require prepping. Other painting tasks, such as painting window sashes and doors, or applying a fresh protective coating to a detached garage, contribute to the overall expense. Hence, always begin with a budget and factor in everything, even labor, so that you don’t end up overspending or missing out on something that might cost you more in the future.
Follow the Proper Painting Technique
Cut the edges with a brush, then use a roller for larger areas. Apply the paint evenly, working in small sections and maintaining a wet edge to avoid visible brush or roller marks. To prevent lap marks, move the paint roller across the entire height of the wall in one continuous motion, and maintain a ‘wet edge’ by slightly overlapping each stroke with the previous one before it dries.
Test the Paint Color
Before committing to a color, test it on a small area or a sample board to see how it looks in different lighting conditions and against your existing décor. This will help you make an informed decision and avoid surprises when doing home maintenance.
Use the Right Tools
Invest in good-quality paintbrushes, rollers, and other painting tools for all home maintenance activities. Quality tools make the application process easy to achieve smoother, more even results. Substandard equipment makes your paint look blotched and runny, which is not good.
Prime the Surface
Priming the surface before painting can help the paint adhere better and provide a more uniform finish. Use a primer suitable for your painting surface, such as a specific wood, drywall, or metal primer.
Apply Multiple Coats
Multiple coats may be necessary for full coverage depending on the color and type of paint. Ensure each coat of paint gets sufficient time to dry completely before proceeding with the next coat.
Pay Attention to Details
Carefully paint the trim, doors, and other details. Use painter’s tape to achieve clean lines and protect surfaces that shouldn’t be painted. Remove the tape while the paint is still wet to achieve sharp edges.
Consider the Finish
Choose the right paint finish for each area of your home. Opting for a glossy finish offers enhanced durability and easy cleaning, making it an ideal choice for areas that experience high foot traffic. On the other hand, selecting a matte or eggshell finish can deliver a more understated and refined appearance, adding a touch of sophistication to the space.
Do Periodic Maintenance
Due to exposure to natural elements, the exterior paint of a house tends to deteriorate more rapidly. According to Better Homes and Gardens, it typically requires repainting every five to 10 years.
Compared to expensive renovations, you only need a modest budget to repaint your house. Even someone who’s filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, also known as straight or liquidation bankruptcy, can afford this. If you or your business are knee-deep in debt, consider filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, then get on with painting your house like a pro.
