6 Procedures To Prepare To Paint & The Supplies You Might Need

Now…the paint color is picked and you have bought the paint. What are the next steps in the painting process? Let’s view some different ways or steps you can get ready to paint. A paint supply store such as Packs Hardware in Smithville can help with your questions on paint techniques and supplies to get you fully and suitably prepared for the project.

 

Six Processes to Equip Yourself for Painting:

First, remove all nails, electrical covers, and picture hangers from the walls you wish to paint. Dust and clean the walls and ceiling earnestly with a damp mop, except in the bath or kitchen, where grease, oil or dirt tends to accrue on walls…these walls should be cleaned with household cleaner or detergent before re-painting. Allow the walls to dry all the way.

  

Second, check the walls and ceiling for cracks and blemishes. Carefully fill hairline cracks with spackling material or caulk, using a putty knife. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular kitchen knife, or maybe even your fingers to level it out. Larger cracks or holes have to be filled with special patching plaster, that you can get from your local Packs Hardware store. A Reminder to verify that there isn’t any joint separation on the moldings around the walls, door, and windows. Correct it by re-setting the strips or filling in the cracks with spackle.

Note: To ensure proper adhesion of the plaster filler, carve out a triangular channel in the wall, narrow on the surface and wider inside. Then feed the plaster into the channel through the narrow opening. Remind yourself to remove excess spackling with a putty knife or flat knife. When the patching material has thoroughly dried, sand the surface smooth with sand paper or a sanding sponge. Then apply primer or undercoating to the patched areas when needed.

 

Four main kinds of scrapers you can use:

Hook scraper: This is proper for scraping down course surfaces and can be used with paint remover or a blowtorch. Hook scrapers consist of a steel blade, with a hook at one end. Some hook scrapers have removable and reversible blades.

Razorblade scraper: Notably handy for scraping paint from glass. Available in multiple styles.

Wall scraper: Knife-type wall scrapers are for removing paint and common cleaning. Available in multiple sizes. It can have both flexible and/or a stiff blade. Usually a 2” to 4” width with a stiff blade works best, depending on the project.

Putty knife: A knife with a flexible steel blade used for applying and smoothing putty. This is also good for cleaning, scraping, filling other things as well.

2. Apply Painter’s Tape & Remove Hardware

 

Note: Wait at least one hour after painting until you remove the masking tape. Run a razor blade along the edge of the tape first, so when you pull the tape up – it doesn’t pull any dry paint with it.

3. “Cut in” and Paint the Outlines of the Room with Primer

After finishing step 2…paint around and by the painter’s tape and edges next. Use an angled or flat brush for accuracy. Paint 2” or 3” bands around edges, corners, and frames. Try to do one wall at a time so the paint matches when you fill in while rolling the paint on.

 

4. Prime the Walls Next

Primers are created to help seal the wall and help prevent mold. It is the most crucial part of the painting, specially if going from a darker color to a lighter color. Some of the paints we offer have a paint and primer in one. See our store for details and questions on primer.

  

5. Sand the Primer

Once the primer has absolutely dried, go back over it with sandpaper or a sandpaper sponge. This will help get rid of any unwanted bumps and ridges that you didn’t see before and “seal the deal” before getting the “real” paint on. Be certain to clean the walls again with a damp towel or sponge before moving on to “the paint”. 

 

6. “Cut in” and Paint

Finally, working from ceiling to floor, take the tips from above on “cutting in” and then fill in by rolling on the paint. Using a “V” or “W” stroke pattern until each section is paint covered. Wait 2-4 hours to completely dry before applying a second coat.

Time to get to painting!

Got some paint questions still? Visit our local Packs Hardware location in Smithville to talk to one of our paint associates. Have a unique project and don’t know which paint to choose? Our paint person can help with that too! While you are here – find out if we have any supply or paint offers going on to help you save.