After you’ve put in the work of painting a wall, the last thing you want to see is that your freshly painted wall looks nothing like what you envisioned. The problems may be easily corrected or require a complete do-over. Whether it’s the color, sloppy edges, or tiny splats on the ceiling, there are ways you can avoid the frustration of a partial or total do-over. 92101 real estate agents discuss 6 common mistakes DIYers make when painting their walls and how to avoid them.
1. Not Preparing Properly
It’s labor-intensive, but good preparation can produce the desired result on the first try. After cleaning the walls, let them dry completely and brush off all loose debris. Use painter’s tape (never masking tape) and remove switch-plates and doorknobs. If you use spackle, let patched areas dry completely and sand them before painting.
2. Relying on Color Chips
If you don’t want to suddenly discover your pale blue wall is actually a strange turquoise, don’t rely strictly on color chips. Pick 1-3 chips and pay to have small sample cans mixed for you. Painting a 3’X3′ area on the wall with each color may give you a much better idea of how the finished wall will look.
3. Painting in a Dark Room
Make sure to the room you are painting is brightly lit. A mix of natural light from windows and bright incandescent or LED lights can allow you to see problems as the color is drying. This makes it possible to apply a little more paint on a thin spot and to correct drips or streaks during the process instead of afterward.
4. Using Low-Quality Applicators
Cheap brushes and rollers can shed, clump, or develop skipping patterns. Since paint can be costly, choose good applicators to avoid lumps of roller material or cat hairs on the wall that you notice only after the paint has dried.
5. Accidentally Painting the Ceilings and Floors
Avoid bumping the ceiling with your roller by painting a horizontal strip parallel to the ceiling about 7-9″ below it, creating the perfect stop sign for when you are rolling the color on vertically. The unpainted strip can then be filled in with a brush, avoiding any ceiling marks completely. Use the same technique for painting down to a taped baseboard or the floor to keep your roller from touching the floor, where it can pick up dirt and debris that is then rolled onto your walls.
6. Not Sealing the Can Correctly
The need for touch-up paint at some point is almost inevitable, and there is a simple way to avoid the irritation of discovering your extra paint has dried out or trying to recreate that exact color. If you put a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the leftover paint before sealing it, you can extend the shelf life of your useable paint.
People who own lofts, penthouses, and condos in 92101 can paint their walls themselves and take on plenty of other great DIY projects. If you’re looking for real estate in the downtown San Diego area, contact 92101 Urban Living today to see the latest listings. Call 619-649-0368, and we can help you start the search for your downtown dream home. ')}