Last updated on October 14th, 2021
If your home has started to show signs of wear, a repainting job is the best way to bring it back to life. Can’t wait to hold the paintbrush (or roller!) and start painting your home?
Before you do that, it is important to note some common painting mistakes. These will save you from doing irreversible damage to your walls and your home interiors, and possibly your back!
1. Painting over old paint
Painting your walls over the old paint is the most common mistake that DIY painters make. There is a simple preparation process that you need to follow before you start to paint your home.
Scrape the old and chipping paint using a paint scraper or wire brush. Clean the walls with a wet cloth. And that’s it. Your walls are now ready to be painted over!
2. Saying No to painter’s tape
You cannot do a perfect painting job without painter’s tape. This tool helps you paint every part of your wall just like an expert. Use the tape to seal tricky areas, such as corners, to get mess-free results. Be sure to remove the tape before the paint dries out.
And remember, you need painter’s tape, not masking tape. Masking tape is similar to painter’s tape but provides less professional results and makes the work look untidy.
3. Not picking the right paint
If you choose a shade of paint just because you found it in the color you wanted, you need to rethink your choice. Paint is chosen based on two more factors apart from the color.
Type
You need different paints for different areas of your home. For bathrooms and kitchens where moisture is higher than in other rooms, you need moisture-fighting paint.
Color
Never give the nod to a color you like on paper. Take a sample and test it on your walls before giving it the go-ahead. This will ensure that the end result is what you expected.
Finish
Do you like your walls glossy or matte? Remember, the finish you get on your walls will depend on your paint choice. Finally, make sure your chosen colors and finish go hand-in-hand and they suit the room’s interiors and feel.
4. Allowing other surfaces to get painted on
Excitement to paint your home can make you forget to do this – protect your floor and furniture. And you may end up painting not just your walls but your furniture and floors too. Always, before starting to paint, cover the rest of the house with newspapers, a plastic sheet, or cloth.
5. Painting without using a primer
Whether you are painting a new, never-before-painted surface or one that has been painted before, a primer is an unskippable part of the process. Applying a primer before painting helps with an even and easy application of the paint. A primer also helps make sure the paint on your walls looks as good as it did when you chose the paint.
6. Over-dipping the brush or roller
Don’t dip your brush fully into the paint. Dip a small part of the top, removing excess paint before applying it. This will ensure you don’t end up coating your walls with more paint than required and impact the end result.
7. Applying a new coat before the previous one dries
Always wait for a coat to dry before applying a second one. Applying a second coat on paint that’s still wet can lead to peeling of the paint later or leave unsightly brush strokes.
8. Not starting with the ceiling
Painting the ceiling last will make your freshly painted walls suffer. It is almost impossible to paint your ceiling without creating a mess with splashes and spills. So always start with the ceiling.
9. Choosing to paint in the wrong weather
Scorching weather will make your paint dry out too soon, even before you are able to apply it evenly. Cold weather will leave the paint wet for hours, delaying the next coat. So always ensure the weather is ideal for a hassle-free painting job.
10. Shying away from expert help, when required
Agreed. You are capable of doing a wonderful job of painting your walls. But there are some areas and techniques best left to the professionals. Don’t hesitate to reach out to one!
Hope this Helped!
We hope our article helped you gain confidence to do a great DIY house painting job. Whether you are a DIY novice or an expert, educating yourself is all it needs to paint your house like a pro. Happy Painting!
