Alexander Graham Bell said that “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success”. If you don't know who Mr. Bell is, he's the inventor of the telephone (otherwise known as a blower or dog and bone, if you prefer), so this gentleman knew what he was talking about. Painting of course, is no different, and it is imperative that if you want to ensure that your painting looks good, then you'll need to prepare it properly.
Get Your Sponge Out
It is really important that your walls are clean and free from dust, dirt or peeling paint. If you slap on the paint without giving the walls a good clean, then the finish will not be as good, and will not last as long, and it's as simple as that. So you'll need to give your rooms a bit of elbow grease. If you're serious, then inspect your walls with a light and you'll be able to notice blemishes very quickly. During the washing, it is best to use two buckets. One with a cleaning solution, and another with clear water to rinse your sponge or cloth with after you've wiped the walls clean.
Smooth It Out
Uneven surfaces will make your painting look sloppy. If you have any holes you'll want to caulk these. If the holes are quite big, then use filler and a putty knife to fill that gap. If you have cracks in any woodwork you can use caulk to rectify these blemishes. When the filler is dry, sandpaper it down to make sure that it is smooth and ready for painting.
Get Your Stuff the Hell Outta There
It goes without saying that when you've got big pots of paint knocking about, there is a serious risk of your furniture and furnishings getting slopped with paint. Minimise the risk by getting all of your precious items out of the room. Anything that can't be moved, needs to be covered and taped, so whatever happens, your stuff won't get ruined.
Tape It Up
Corners, skirting boards and light switches all need to be properly taped up. You'll want to keep these areas, paint free, so make sure that the tape is on properly.
Watch the Weather
If you're painting the outside of your home, you should put down the paint brush for a few days if there's been rain, foggy weather, or weather has been particularly extreme. Some paints are okay to use in low temperatures, but some aren't, so it's always best to have a read of the instructions on the paint you have.
If you want to ensure that your walls are properly prepared and painted, then of course it is best to call the professionals in. As expert painters in Croydon, Mitcham, Morden, Sutton, West Wickham, Coulsdon, Epsom, Leatherhead, New Addington, Kingston and Dulwich , we have worked on hundreds of properties over the years. If you would like a free consultation from one of our friendly painters, get in touch, because we'd love to help.