11 Tips for Any Interior Painting Project

Some basic tips you can apply to any interior painting project

Interior painting is a common area of painting. Condo painting and House painting are examples of where interior painting is a huge part of the paint job and you'll see interior painting in pretty much any residential or commercial project. Here are a few tips applicable to any interior painting, if you're a noob there's definitely something to learn here, and if you're a pro we hope you pick up a thing or two to keep you on top.

1. Do not excessively thin or 'extend' your paint

This decreases the paints durability, wash-ability and can cause you to paint extra coats for a complete and finished look. However, there are times when extending paint is useful. Some paint fresh from the can is thicker and spreading it can be a chore, often a little extender can take care of these issues and improve the overall end result. Extended paint can produce a better finish by smoothing itself out and thus retain less brush and tool marks, producing a effortless and beautiful interior paint job.

2. Paint with your windows open

Interior painting is usually quite stuffy, opening the window will help to disperse any VOCs the paint is releasing and also help to provide drafts of fresh air assisting the drying process. Using a Low VOC. will help to reduce the odor and chemical exposure. In areas with high humidity and low air movement your freshly painted walls can take a long time to dry, opening a window can help with this process. Of course if it's colder outside than the paints minimum workable temperature this is not a good idea.

3. When using solvents during your interior painting always dispose of them properly

Used solvents should be taken to a disposal site to be properly disposed of, never pour solvents into our water systems such as sewers or drains. Take care of solvents as they are usually flammable and poisonous, always adhere to all safety precautions. If you're unsure of where to dipose of the solvents, contact your municipality. Paint disposal is an important responsibility.

4. Remove oil/alkyd based paints from your skin using a combination of vegetable oil and salt

It's common while painting your interior to get some paint on your hands. Usually this isn't a problem with latex, some soap, water and a little scrubbing will do the trick but when it's oil/alkyd reach for the salt and vegetable oil. This combination helps to break down the paint and the salt acts as a mild abrasive to scrub the paint from your hands. You'll also end up with some soft hands afterwards.

5. Smooth out your walls before you begin your interior paint job

This is ideal for a great finish, the smoother your walls the more uniform and pleasing your paint jobs end result will be. The process of smoothing out your walls also creates the ideal environment for new paint to adhere to. Use the tips below for a beautiful interior paint job.

6. Sand all wall patches well before you begin your interior painting

Correctly sanding patches is an important way to ensure your smooth walls. Start by sanding out the edges of your patch, feathering the edge into the wall. Check with your hand briefly to see if you can feel the edge as lighting can sometimes throw you off on this step. After you've sanded out the edge, give the middle a rough sanding to smooth out the rough surface.

7. Remove the lint from your paint roller for great looking smoothly painted interior walls

Almost every roller you find will say lint-free, however, this is typically not the case. There are a few methods to remove lint from your roller. Using painters tape wrap the roller from one end to another and then tear it off, the painters tape will remove a good portion of the lint. Another perhaps easier method is using one of those sticky lint rollers, simply roll it up and down your paint roller to remove any excess lint. Chances are you'll still have to remove a lint chunk here or there after you start painting your interior walls but it's a good idea to remove as much as you can before you get started.

8. Use a roller specific to your painting job at hand

There are different rollers for different uses. Using the best roller for the job is always a good idea. When looking at interior painting for rougher surface or textured walls you'll want to use a roller with a thicker nap, 1/2" or so is a good idea for any wall or surface that isn't mostly smooth to the touch. For ultra smooth surfaces and a fantastically smooth finish go with a 1/4" nap. One disadvantage to a shorter nap is that typically you have to re-load your paint roller more often, the shorter nap roller doesn't hold as much paint.

9. Scuff sand your walls before interior painting

Using a pole sander just give your entire wall a quick once over. You basically want to sand the surface area about three times, in an up-down-up type of motion and in a relatively quick pace working from right to left. This will break up the top layer of paint, remove any small defects and produce a better surface for your fresh paint to adhere to. This is sometimes referred to as giving the surface tooth.

10. After sanding and usually on any wall you'll want to clean it off

If there are any obvious stains, grease spots, crayon, pen or marker you'll want to remove these before you get started your interior painting since these sort of stains can show right through the top layers of paint. Some 120 grit sandpaper and elbow grease can be all that's necessary but sometimes it's a good idea to give it a go with a cleaner and sponge first. Brooming off your walls is also a good way to make sure there is no dust or surface particles that would interfere with the paint adhering to the walls, especially in areas that have been patched, be careful you don't accidentally damage your patches though.

11. Properly priming patches is an important part of interior painting

Un-primed patches typically stand out regardless of what the product says, I'm looking at you 'paint-able compounds'. One reason for this is because the patched surface is a little more porous than the surrounding wall. If you applied a coat of eggshell you would see an obvious difference in the final sheen on the wall. Use a standard 'value' wall primer for these patches, apply it with a foam roller and make sure to feather out the primer you've rolled on the wall to hide any tool marks. Higher quality primers can apply their own seal to a wall an you'd end up with the opposite effect (higher sheen spot), stick with a general all-purpose primer. There are many reasons to use primers in interior painting but this is one basic reason to be aware of.

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