Whether you're finishing a new wall or looking to spruce up a room, a fresh coat of paint can give your home a new look
Painting involves a lot of prep work. Take the time to get your room ready
Remove cover plates from electrical switches and sockets.
Tape over switches, receptacles and the edges of baseboards and moldings with blue or green painter's tape
Remove furniture or group it in the center of the room and cover it with a plastic sheet or drop cloth
Fill in cracks nail holes and dents in the wall with a quick-dry poly filler
Wipe the walls with a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust
Make sure the walls dry before you start painting
Also, lay down a wall-to-wall drop cloth to protect your floor
Your painting tool list will vary depending on the space you're working in
Pick up a copy of Home Depot's Home Improvement 1-2-3 book for more tips on tools and paint selection
Prime your walls for a good looking finish. Home Depot offers several products with paint and primer in one!
Start you're cutting in at the ceiling or wherever the wall meets the crown molding
A good-quality angled brush is essential to cut in around the edges and corners of a room
Work along the mask trim and up to the tape without slopping over it.
You don't want the paint to seep under the tape
Use both your wrist and your arm to ensure better control and less fatigue
Hold the brush handle between your thumb and forefinger, with your fingers on the metal ferrule
To prevent paint from drying with bristle ridges, lightly feather the paint around the corners and onto adjoining walls
Cut in around the edge of the entire space you're painting before you begin rolling with paint
Use a nine inch roller for large expanses
For a smooth and consistent finish without ridges, start from a corner and paint a three by three foot section in a "W" pattern
Use light, long strokes to blend the paint. Change the direction of the roller slightly each time until the "W" disappears
Take your time with the roller and move at a steady and moderate pace to avoid splatter.
If any paint spills, clean it immediately with a damp rag
Continue the same procedure across the wall
If you're reaching high on walls, use an extension pole for your roller.
Alternatively a six-foot ladder is the most versatile for painting projects.
Use a four inch roller or a good brush for small areas around windows, doors and moldings
Allow the painted surface to dry for a few hours before applying another coat of paint
The procedure for a second or third coat is the same as the first
Allow the final coat to dry before removing painters tape and replacing cover plates .
Your room now has a fresh new look.
Here's a reminder of the tools and material you'll need to complete this project