Author: Brian October 14, 2022

Guest post by Frank Dunne.

Changing the colour of a room by painting it is simply one of the easiest ways to enhance a home or commercial property.

The process is not as straightforward as putting a new colour on the walls and letting it dry.

Want to paint like a pro?

Then read our tips below to guarantee the success of your project and prevent regrets and do-overs.

1. Check the daily forecast

The weather and the temperature play a crucial role in the success of a painting project.

These factors will determine the paint drying time, whether the solution will adhere at all (if the painting is done on the exterior), or whether the paint will be easier to apply or not.

So here are some of our tips on how to ensure a successful paint job simply by checking the weather forecast.

• Check the wall temperature. The ideal wall temperature for painting ranges anywhere between ten degrees and thirty-five degrees Celsius. Refrain from painting the walls when it feels too hot or too cold (or even too humid) as the temperature will affect the paint’s adhesion and its lifespan.
• Painting the house or the building’s exterior? Check your weather app daily as the rain can definitely put a damper on your plans. Rainwater can wash off fresh paint or leave behind watermarks, so make sure to avoid painting when rain is in the forecast.

2. Choose the best type of paint for your application

There are two types of paint you can choose from, and these are acrylic paints and enamel paints.

When painting exteriors, we typically recommend acrylic paints thanks to their durability under different conditions and their longevity.

Acrylic paints do not become brittle or chalk easily.

Their colours do not fade or turn yellow over time.

It also dries rapidly and is less toxic than other types of paint.

But don’t disregard enamel ones just yet!

If you fancy a glossier look for the room and you want something that lasts longer, then choose enamel paints.

Keep in mind, though, that this product can take longer to dry thoroughly, so it might not be the best option if you need to use the room asap.

Some tips for using acrylic and enamel:

• Painting a house exterior? Do not paint under the heat of the midday sun and refrain from painting the wall when the wall is extremely hot.
• Improve acrylic paint’s workability by mixing it with a bit of water.

3. Protect furniture and other objects in the room by getting things out of the way

A simple drop of paint on your fabric sofa or your prized antique dresser can be a pain to remove.

That’s why it’s always prudent to move things out of the way when painting a room.

Some of the things you need to transfer into another room include paintings, curtains, clocks, as well as family pictures.

Move any dressers, cabinets, or consoles into another section of the room, too.

The same goes for television and other appliances present in the area.

If an appliance or furniture is too heavy to move, simply cover them with drop cloths or plastic sheets completely.

Wrap lights, chandeliers, and other fixtures with plastic to protect them from paint.

Move any carpets or rugs out of the room, too.

4. Don’t forget to use painter’s tape!

Use high-quality painter’s tape to protect mouldings, baseboards, windows, and more from drips and splatters.

Before you cover the area with painter’s tape, make sure that it is cleaned properly first.

Peel off the painter’s tape before the paint completely dries.

Fresh paint makes painter’s tape easier to remove, and it also produces a smoother, cleaner edge.

You can also create eye-catching effects on your walls using painter’s tape.

5. Mix paint thoroughly

Don’t waste your paint!

If you’re using large amounts of paint for the project, then transfer some of its contents into a separate mixing bucket and replace the lid to prevent it from drying out.

You can then add water into your mixing bucket (make sure to follow the correct ratio of paint to water!) and mix it thoroughly using a clean paint stir stick or a power drill with a mixer attachment.

6. Remember the correct paint order

If you’re planning to paint the entire room, then start with the ceiling and gradually work your way down to the walls.

When you’re done with the walls, it’s now time to tackle the doors and windows.

Last but not least are the skirting and trims.

7. Too busy or don’t like being sweaty and getting paint on yourself?

Get a contractor to do it for you instead

Painting involves a lot of hard work, takes time, and requires accuracy and precision.

So it’s completely understandable if you feel like it’s simply not your cup of tea or maybe you’re just too busy.

Plus, it’s easy to make mistakes when mixing paint or when applying painter’s tape.

So if you don’t have enough time for the task or you’re unsure if you can do it, then call an expert instead.