Checklist For Wall Painting Procedure
Painting is one of the most common maintenance tasks performed by homeowners. Wall painting is widely considered to be the simplest and quickest step in painting a home. It is for this reason that the task is often underestimated and performed incorrectly or without making the appropriate preparations.
Painting a wall does indeed take less preparation than painting most other parts of a home. In fact, the process is usually simple and many people find the painting to be relaxing when done correctly. The following checklists will ensure that your painting goes smoothly and efficiently.
Painting Tools - You will need the following tools to paint a wall:
- Paint roller and covers
- Paint brushes
- A paint tray that is compatible with your roller
- A screw driver to remove wall fixtures
- Masking tape to keep boundaries free of stray paint
- A sponge to clean up messes
Preparations - The following preparations need to be made before painting:
- Determine what color and type of paint you want. The usual types of paint offered are flat, low-gloss, and glossy.
- Decide whether you want use one layer of paint or two. If you are painting over a color that is noticeably different in color from the new paint, it is advisable to use two layers.
- Use a tape measure to determine the total surface area that you need to paint.
- Buy enough paint to cover the walls. One gallon of paint typically covers 400 square feet with one layer, or 200 square feet with two layers.
- Clean the wall to remove dust that will hinder the paint from sticking. This step applies to the baseboards as well.
- Remove any furniture or other items that are near the wall. It is advisable to cover all furniture and the floor surrounding the wall with drop cloths to avoid stray paint from sticking.
- Tape off the edges of the wall with masking tape to prevent paint from dripping beyond your target area.
- Remove all pets from the room and attempt to find a babysitter before beginning if you have children.