House painting mistakes are easy to make – especially if this is your first DIY painting project. To help you avoid mistakes the next time you decide to pick up a paint brush ColaTown Painting has put together a helpful list.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid on your DIY Project
# 1 – Choosing the Wrong Color
Before you even pick up the paint brush, one of the most common mistakes is picking a paint color based on a chip at the paint store. The chip can give you a general idea of what the color will look like on your wall, but it can’t take into consideration other factors such as lighting, finish and how well it works with other elements in your room. You do have options though! Have the paint store mix up a small container of the paint(s) you have chosen. Take them home and try them out! Look at the color in light and dark conditions. If you don’t like the color – you are only out a few bucks! Sherwin Williams offers free virtual color consultations that give you the opportunity to discuss color with an expert and get a professional recommendation. They also offer big sheets of “stick on” color.
To help you get started, check out our post on the 2024 Colors of the Year.
# 2 – Using the Wrong Paint
You’ve chosen the color, but what type of paint do you choose? You need to know what you’re working with. If the walls have been previously painted with an oil-based paint and you paint it over in latex, the paint will crack and peel. Choose an oil-based paint or apply a special primer that will alleviate the problem. If you previously painted with latex, that is a great choice for your paint project. It is water-based for easy clean up, lower odor and easier to wipe away if you make a mistake or drip.
Also, consider the finish or sheen. Walls, trim and ceilings may each require a different finish to create the room of your dreams.
What are My Choices?
High gloss is the easiest to clean and it is very durable, but it does show imperfections. It is very shiny and light reflecting. However, it has too much shine for interior walls and is best used on cabinets, trim and doors. Just be sure that the glossy finish appeals to you.
Semi-gloss also cleans well and is a good choice for trim, kitchens, bathrooms and other areas that need a durable finish. It is specially formulated to stand up to stains. It may show imperfections, but can also be a good choice for playrooms and children’s bedrooms (since kids can be hard on walls)! Semi-gloss provides a slightly higher level of shine than satin and this can help brighten up a room.
Satin is often described as having a velvety appearance. It also stands up well to cleaning. However, because of its glossiness it may show imperfections such as cracks or patched areas on your walls. It is a good choice for your family area, entrance ways, hallways and children’s bedrooms.
Eggshell has a much lower gloss factor and is sometimes compared to a satin finish. It hides wall imperfections, but is best used in areas that don’t take a lot of wear and tear, like living rooms and dining rooms. It can be wiped clean more easily then a flat finish, but it can be hard to touch up.
Flat or Matte is low luster, non-reflective paint. It hides imperfections well, but is the least scrubbable and therefore not a good choice for high-traffic areas. But, it is almost always used for ceilings.
# 3 – Not Doing the Prep Work
Getting the prep work right can save a lot of hassle and clean-up, but it is tempting to skip this step if you think you’ll be saving time. That is s big no-no. What’s involved?
- Remove all artwork and decorations from the walls
- Move all the furniture away from the walls and cover floors and furniture with drop cloths
- Cover door knobs with plastic and tape around the the edge of trim (if your hand is steady and you are skilled, you may be able to skip this step)
- Remove switch plates and outlet covers (turn off the breaker first!). Tape screws to the plates so they don’t get lost.
# 4 – Bumping the Ceiling or the Floor
If the room has trim at the ceiling and on the floor level, your best bet is to use painter’s tape. Take your time and make sure the tape is adhering correctly and that you don’t stretch the tape. Once that is done you will want to select a paint brush designed for cutting in. Cutting in simply means taking an angled paint brush and painting the edges and corners of a room and painting around any other trim or obstacles. This will enable you to roll all the way up and down from ceiling to floor with hitting either! Cutting in is an important step to doing a professional-looking job, so take your time.
# 5 – Underestimating Your Time
When you are doing all the work yourself – from start to finish you need to allot plenty of time. Figure at least one 5-6 hour day (assuming you already have all the materials and the correct amount of paint) for a 10 X 12 room. This should include prep work, clean up and getting the room back in order. If this is your first project and you are working alone you may want to do all of the prep work and assemble your materials the day before, so allow parts of two days.
Final Thoughts
DIY projects are fun and exciting, but sometimes overwhelming, especially if you have a busy schedule and a family to take care of. Your time may be better spent entertaining friends and family and enjoying your free time…and leave the work to us!! We have all the proper tools, materials and professional experience to get in and out before you know it! If we can help give Britt a call 803-603-6486 or e-mail at ellisb@colatownpainting.com.
Recent Comments