Doing it Right...
Another part of the planning process that sounds simple, is also essential. In addition to using quality materials in order to get a better end product, make certain that you really like the materials and that they are things that you will want to live with and look at for a long time. This applies to all of the colors, patterns, finishes, woods, tiles, fabrics and everything that goes into a job. Make certain that you get samples of all of the elements that are going into your project, that are large enough to really get a feel for how they will all look together. Do paint samples on the walls that are large enough to really give you an idea of how the colors will go with the furnishings that you are going to keep or purchase. Does a lighter or darker shade of a color change your mood? What are the choices of accents that do not overwhelm. Use your own style and taste but also remember that at some point you may want to sell the property to someone who may like your house but not the black walls of a gothic theme.
Once you have accomplished the steps above, don't skimp on the prep work and always pay attention to the details. Also, Read the Directions!!! These three things really apply to just about everything we do no matter what the job is.
For example, many people think that anyone can paint. It's easy. Yes and no. Here's why. First, in order to get a good result that will last and look professional, we need to follow all of the proper steps and procedures from start to finish. Many people do not know what these are, and are dissapointed with the results of their own work or someone that they have hired.
The first step is preparation of the surface to be painted, or prep work. We've all seen the results of paint jobs that have little or no prep work. Just think back to that low rent apartment you looked at back when you were a student. The landlord wanted to clean the place up for as little money as possible and the paint job showed that. Sloppy cut in around door knobs and other fixtures that should not have been painted, but instead removed before painting, then replaced. Something that shows through the new paint from underneath. Cracks that reappear prematurely or that were badly patched, paint that flakes or peels when bumped or washed, and the list goes on and on.
Good paint prep work will follow basic steps, with only a little variation depending on the situation. Kitchens and bathrooms most usually are not painted with flat paints for good reasons. Moisture, soap, mold, mildew and oils from cooking that collect on the walls over time would cause real problems in these two rooms. A paint with a washable surface is recommended, with a sheen from near flat eggshell up to a gloss, depending upon your taste. Once you have chosen your paint color and sheen the prep work actually begins.
Kitchens and baths should be washed thoroughly, sometimes more than once to get all of the accumulated buildups off of the surface. It is a good idea to use a mild solution of TSP to cut through the grease and soap buildup. Then it is advisable to rinse or wash again with just water to get the remaining film off of the surface. You want the paint to actually stick to the surface that you are painting. All of the oils and other material on the walls of these two rooms in particular, act as a barrier between the new paint and the wall. I have seen rooms just painted, with the paint actually forming bubbles. When these bubbles are popped the paint will pull away from the wall in sheets. This is just one of the results of poor or no prep work.
After the cleaning step is completed, you want the clean surface that is to be painted to be able to actually "grab and hold" the new paint. That is why it is necessary to sand all smooth or glossy surfaces with an appropriate grit of sandpaper. Roughing up the surface gives what is called "tooth" for the new paint to grab and hold as it dries.
If there is patching to be done, (the previous steps usually uncover areas that need this) it is a very good idea to remove any loose paint or wall material, then prime the area to be patched with a quick drying primer so that it does not continue to flake or crumble and your subsequent applications of patch material will actually adhere to the area. I have seen patches that actually fell out of the wall because they were applied to a crumbly or flakey surface. Then, when the primer is dry, the application of the right kind of patching compound can begin.
To minimize your work later, and achieve the best possible surface, small amounts of compound should be applied and then let dry. Then, sanded smooth and another thin coat applied, repeating until you have blended the patch to the smooth surface of the wall. Once that is done, remove ALL dust from the area and then prime the patched area.
Again, this is another crucial step in achieving a good job, because dust remaining on the surface, and then painted over will not really let the paint adhere to the wall. The dust acts as a barrier and the new paint can actually be pulled up in a sheet once it dries. Finally, when all patching and spot priming is done, lightly sand and scuff the freshly primed areas so that those areas also have tooth for the first coat of finish paint. When that coat of paint dries fully, the surface should again be lightly sanded for tooth, and all dust removed before applying the second coat of finish paint.
The above steps with some modifications, apply to any surface that has a sheen or shiny surface. Doors, baseboards, window casings and other trim or cabinet work. Proper masking and covering of surfaces not to be painted, or removal and replacement of other items is a part of the process as well. More time and work, but the results are professional.
As I said at the outset, "Many people think that anyone can paint. It's easy." Yes, anyone can paint, but no, it's not easy to get a professional looking job. One needs to know and follow the proper steps for the craft, know and use the materials and tools well, and be willing to put the time and effort in to get professional results. As well, each craft and trade has it's own set of procedures, rules, steps and tricks of the trade. I've worked in the trades for more than 30 years now (yikes!!!) and things change in the world everyday, but some things remain constant. I continue to learn about new materials or products or techniques, but the essentials for all of the crafts remain the same: In order to get a professional result things need to be done correctly.
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