Common Painting Mistakes
Nobody said painting was easy. When going DIY, it’s easy to let your ambitions get the best of you. If you’re going to try to do it yourself be mindful of what experts say are the top 9 DIY painting mistakes.
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Skimping On Prep Time
Homeowners understandably want to jump right into the project because they’re excited to see the new color on their walls. This is an emotional reaction. Professional painters, on the other hand, spend the majority of their time on prep. If you’re going to do it yourself, be sure you’ve properly cleaned walls, scraped off peels and cracks, applied painter’s tape carefully, and allowed any patching compound to dry before you start. Experts agree that a lack of proper prep is usually the biggest difference between DIY and professional projects.
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Skimping on Brushes and Roller Covers to Save Money
The best paint in the world won’t perform if you go cheap on the application tools. Good brushes and roller covers offer better coverage and will save you on paint in the long run. Better yet, good brushes can last for years. They’re worth the extra dollars. At Paint It OKC, we use only the best applicators on the market.
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Using Masking Tape Instead of Painter’s Tape and Knifes
As with the brushes and rollers, professional painters spend the money for high quality tape. If you’re going DIY, you should too. Along the same lines, you should use a putty knife or mini scraper — not your finger — to remove air bubbles and seal the edges to prevent drips and ensure sharp lines.
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Going Without Primer
Primer is essential for covering flaws and giving you a smooth, long-lasting finish. You might be able to get away with paint-and-primer-in-one mixes if the old surface was previously painted, is in good shape, and has a flat (non-glossy) finish. But if you’re painting over a more difficult surface such as plaster, wood, concrete, glossy paint, or stained/porous drywall, use a stand-alone primer or a premium all-in-one mix specifically designed to cover unpainted surfaces. This is another determination that Paint It OKC can make for you.
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Painting Over High-Gloss Without Sanding
New paint needs some texture to adhere to, so make sure to lightly scuff any shiny surfaces with sandpaper, followed by a rinse with clean water. If not, you can find yourself with a patchy paint coverage and using more than you need.
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Plunging Your Brush Too Far Into The Paint
Dip it only a third of the way in — you’ll get enough paint on your brush without wasting or pushing the paint deep into the bristles, which can be a nightmare to clean.
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Painting Aimlessly
Always start near the ceiling and work your way down for the smoothest finish; that way you can catch drips as you work.
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Painting Over Wallpaper With Water-Based Paint
You can paint over wallpaper, but be sure to use oil-based primer first. Water-based paints and primers can react with the wallpaper glue and cause unsightly peeling, another problem that will cause cost you significantly more in the long run than any savings you encounter going DIY.
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Skipping Cleanup
You’re tired at the end of the job, so you put the brushes in the garage and decide to deal with it later — bad idea! Protect your investment by washing those brushes thoroughly with water and dish detergent, wrapping them in airtight plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and storing them in their original packaging so that they hold their shape.
If you’ve read through all these points and still feel up to the challenge of DIY, we wish you the best of luck. However, if it’s starting to seem like a lot more headaches than you bargained for, give us a call at Paint It OKC today!
Contact Paint It OKC and let’s get started on your exterior painting project. Paint It OKC, is an OKC painting company that specializes in interior painting, exterior painting, commercial painting, paint color selection, power washing and fence/deck staining. Call us today at (405) 317-7788 for a FREE home consultation and estimate.