FAQ About Interior Home Painting

Interior painting almost always involves some type of prep work and thought before the actual job of painting begins.  There are many things to consider such as the color of the paint, the type of paint to use and what tools to use. There are also different painting techniques. It is important to ask some basic questions and know the answers before embarking on your painting project.

• What is the best way to choose paint colors for the interior of your home? The best way to choose paint colors is to match it to your decorative theme.  Other options include coordinating it with your fabrics or furniture.  Be sure to consider the type of lighting you have in the rooms you want to paint. Fluorescent light, halogen light and sunlight can all affect the color of the paint. 


• Do interior walls need prepping before painting?  Yes, to prepare walls for painting it is necessary to remove everything from the walls.  This includes switch plates and outlet covers, light fixtures and wall hangings.   Remove trim pieces or, if that is not possible, apply painters tape to the trim.  Also apply tape around the windows.  Repair any holes or cracks in the wall by patching with spackle.  Wash the walls before painting with tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) and a sponge.


• What kind of paint should I use?  Latex paint, which is water-based, is easy to use and clean.  Oil-based paint offers more durability but requires a solvent for cleaning.  It is recommended to use a flat latex paint on walls and ceilings, a semi-gloss paint latex or oil-based on trim and doors, and oil-based paint in kitchens and bathrooms.


• How can I tell if a wall that is already painted has latex or oil-based paint?  Using latex paint over an oil-based paint will not work unless the area is sanded and a latex primer is applied.  To determine what type of paint is on a wall, apply rubbing alcohol on a paper towel and rub it over the painted surface.  If the alcohol removes the paint, then it is latex paint.


• What kind of paintbrushes should I be using?  It is important that the paintbrushes are quality brushes.  Bristles should be flagged and chisel tipped.  Flagged bristles allow for more paint to be held by the brush.  For latex paint, you should use synthetic brushes while oil-based paint works best with brushes having natural bristles.


• What types of tools and materials are needed for interior painting?  Tools and materials would include drop cloths or newspaper to protect the floors and furniture, a ladder, brushes and rollers, masking tape or painters tape to protect trim, windows and doors, rags for cleaning any spills or smudges, spackle and a putty knife for patching holes or cracks in the walls, primer and paint thinner, if using an oil-based paint.


• What is edging?  Edging is the process of painting the areas where the wall joins the floor, other walls and the ceiling.  This can also be done around windows and doors.  All this requires is taking a brush and painting these areas going in one direction and using firm, even strokes.  Take care when doing the ceiling, especially if the ceiling and wall are two different colors.  Once this is done, you can even paint further into the wall to make painting the wall a little easier.


• What is textured paint and what is it used for?  Textured paint is paint that has a texturing agent added to it such as sand.  This type of paint can be used for covering up wall spaces that are uneven or it can be used on ceilings.  Textured paint can be bought in a variety of finishes and colors.