Typical Interior Painting Process
A professional paint job starts with thorough preparation to ensure a smooth, long-lasting finish. Here is a typical process for painting a room:
Preparation
- ▸ Clear the Space: Remove all furniture, artwork, and electronics. Cover any remaining items with drop cloths to protect them from paint drips.
- ▸ Protect Fixtures: Use painter's tape to cover fittings, skirting boards, window frames, and light switches for clean, crisp lines.
- ▸ Clean the Walls: Wash all surfaces with a mild detergent like sugar soap to remove dirt, grease, and grime. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely.
- ▸ Repair & Sand: Fill any cracks or holes with an interior filler. Once dry, sand the patched areas smooth and lightly sand any glossy surfaces to help the new paint adhere.
- ▸ Prime: For new plasterboard or patched areas, apply a high-quality primer or undercoat. This seals the surface and improves paint coverage.
Painting
- ▸ Start from the Top: Paint the ceiling first, then the trims (windows, doors, and skirting boards), and finally the walls. This order prevents drips and splatter from landing on already-painted surfaces.
- ▸ Cutting In: Use a brush to paint the edges of the walls and around trims that a roller can't reach. This "cut-in" should be wide enough for the roller to overlap.
- ▸ Rolling the Walls: Load the roller evenly and apply paint in a "W" or "M" pattern. For an even finish, always roll in the same direction, from top to bottom, to lay off the paint.
- ▸ Second Coat: Apply a second coat of paint after the first coat has dried according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Source: This information is based on manufacturer guides from Haymes Paint and Dulux.