Get The Best Results From Interior Painting
So, you want to freshen up your living space, but you do not know where to start? Painting the interior of your home is a simple and cost-effective way to change the atmosphere of any room without purchasing new furniture or making drastic (and sometimes costly) changes to the flooring or lighting. Whether you’re hoping to liven up a small room with a brighter tone, make a bold statement with a pop of rich color on an accent wall, or simply refresh a color you already love; interior painting is an extremely versatile option for transforming rooms. But before you grab that paint roller, there are some steps that need to be taken to ensure your project goes smoothly, looks great, and lasts long. Cardinal Home Center can supply you with the paint and painting tools you need, but we also have a wealth of information we can provide to help you get the best results from interior painting. Here are some frequently asked questions:
Why should I prepare an interior wall?
While we certainly understand your enthusiasm to start your project, and subsequently finish it, we cannot stress enough how important preparation is to the long-term success of your project. Depending on what kind of surface you’re planning on coating, there are different steps to be taken but all will affect two main aspects of the job. Those two aspects are adhesion and appearance. Failure to prep the interior wall surface can lead to a messy looking finish or, worse yet, peeling paint that will ruin all your hard work.
Assuring adhesion
The adhesion of your paint can be affected by a contaminate or an existing coating already on the surface. If a surface has glossy paint on it, then it should be dulled with either fine sandpaper or an abrasive pad before painting as the glossier paint can be difficult for the new coating to absorb into. If the existing coating is an oil-based product, the surface must be sanded and primed before covering with a water-based product. Most contaminates can be removed with household cleaners or dish soap. Just remember to wipe down the surface afterwards with a damp rag or sponge to remove any residue possibly left behind by a cleaner. Also, always be sure to clean walls before sanding or priming.
Prepping interior wall, trim or cabinet
Prep work can also affect the appearance of your job. Patching small nail holes and smoothing out rough spots in the current coating will make for a smoother, more pleasant look in the end. Bare surfaces, as well as stained areas, should always be prepped with the appropriate primer (for more info on which primer to use, contact your local Cardinal Home Center and let our paint experts consult you). Remember, when most companies say “paint and primer in one” they are talking about the coverage of the paint over other colors – not about blocking stains or sealing bare wood. Priming bare drywall and wood will ensure an even finish, especially when working with higher sheens. Priming over stains makes sure that you get the color you chose without any nasty stains coming through to the surface in the future.
Prepping For Performance
Just like an athlete practices for a game or a student studies for a test, how much work one puts into their preparation directly influences whether they meet the goals. Painting interior walls or cabinets is no different, but once that prep is done, you’ll have completed the most difficult part of the job! Make sure your surface is clean, dull, and primed properly and you will have professional looking results.
Now you have the best advice to get the best results from your interior painting project! In future blog posts, we’ll be going over how to prepare for exterior painting and staining. Cardinal Home Center is proud to be your local Benjamin Moore dealer, offering a full line of interior and exterior paint solutions for your next project. Our trained staff can match any paint color and find the right paint or stain for your project. Call or visit us at one of our three locations in Madison, Crozet, or Charlottesville for more tips and advice on the best interior paint to complete your home makeover. We also carry a variety of brushes and rollers, roller extension poles, paint trays, drop cloths, sand paper, painter’s apparel PLUS a full line of Festool sanders, dust extractors, and more.
