How to paint
Step-by-step technique for rooms, trim, cabinets and exteriors.
How do I paint a room the right way?
Clear and cover the room, wash and patch the walls, prime any repairs, then paint in this order: ceiling first, walls second, trim and doors last. Cut in along edges with a brush, roll the open wall while the cut line is still wet, and put on two thin coats instead of one heavy one.
Full answerHow do you cut in paint along ceilings and trim without tape?
Use a good 2 to 2.5 inch angled brush, dip only the first third of the bristles, and start about half an inch away from the edge. Then press lightly so the bristles fan out and slowly glide the paint up to the line in one long stroke. A steady hand and a well-loaded brush beat tape on most walls.
Full answerHow many coats of paint do I need?
Plan on two coats for almost every wall, even with paint-and-primer products. One coat can work when you're repainting the same color over a clean surface. Big color changes, new drywall, repairs and cheaper paints can need a primer coat plus two finish coats.
Full answerHow long should paint dry between coats?
Most interior latex paints can be recoated in 2 to 4 hours, and oil-based paints need about 24 hours. Always follow the recoat time on the can, and add time in cold or humid weather. Dry to the touch is not the same as ready to recoat, and full cure takes weeks.
Full answerHow do I paint a light color over a dark wall?
Prime first with a good hiding primer, ideally tinted gray or toward your new color, then apply two coats of the new paint. Skipping primer usually means three or four coats of expensive finish paint and uneven color.
Full answerHow do I paint kitchen cabinets so the finish lasts?
Remove doors and hardware, degrease every surface, scuff sand, and spot fill. Then use a bonding primer and finish with a hard cabinet enamel such as a waterborne alkyd or urethane-modified acrylic. Thin coats, light sanding between coats, and a full cure before heavy use are what make it last.
Full answerWhat are the steps to paint a house exterior?
Wash the siding, let it dry, scrape and sand loose paint, and repair rot. Then caulk gaps, spot prime bare wood, and apply two coats of quality exterior acrylic in dry weather within the temperature range on the can. Prep is most of the work and most of the lifespan.
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