Preparing a room to paint is the most important step when you want to whitewash or paint at home. Only incomplete or improper preparation can lead to premature failure. Proper preparation will save you time, money, and long-term mental stability.
Steps
Step 1. Remove all furniture, decorations, lights, chandeliers, and electrical outlet covers from the room
The more stuff you can get out of the way, the easier it will be to move around (and the less worry about staining something).
Step 2. Move everything you can't remove from the room to the center and cover it with a plastic sheet
Make sure you cover everything well because the paint tends to go where you least expect it.
Step 3. Clean the room thoroughly
Vacuum and mop, removing any cobwebs and dust.
Step 4. Place sheets of paper on the edges of the room
A disposable roll of paper can be bought at any DIY store. You can also use bits of plastic or recycled newspaper.
Step 5. Fill any nail holes, dings, dents or cracks with light putty
Let it dry according to the instructions (usually it will take 2-4 hours) and then smooth it with sandpaper. Apply a second coat and sand again if necessary.
Step 6. Clean the walls or surfaces to be painted
This step is very important for kitchens and bathrooms where there are residues on the walls. A simple solution consisting of liquid soap and water will do very well and you can apply it in a practical way with a brush with a sponge on your head to reach even the highest points. Give the walls a final rinse with plain water to remove any soap residue.
Step 7. Spreading the primer is another important step in preparing the paint
If your walls are already painted with an opaque water-based dye, you can immediately paint over the existing paint. If, on the other hand, you need to paint over a layer of glossy or semi-glossy oil paint, you should apply a coat of primer. Also, whether or not you choose to primer the walls, you should always do it on the grouted areas or you will end up with more polished areas when the job is done.
There are also primers and paints that only need to be applied once
Step 8. Put duct tape about 1cm below the ceiling and on top of the skirting boards with a coordinated color (usually white)
This way the old color will not come out if the tape is not placed precisely on the previous line.
Step 9. Finally, cover nearby walls, furniture, wood carvings, switches and more with masking tape
For this operation it is important to have a good quality ribbon.
Fixed electrical components (such as switches) are easier to disconnect and replace than to cover them with tape. The door handles can also be detached without major problems
Advice
- Use a plastic tarp to clean the remaining furniture (not a sheet because the paint will pass through its fibers).
- Use aluminum foil to wrap things like knobs and handles where the tape doesn't work.
- Use only masking tape. This is a blue ribbon that can be bought in specialty stores.
- Unless you know how to fix concrete and plasterboard walls, don't try to fix them yourself (save for small holes and dents). Contact a professional.
