Whether you are a typical homeowner who wants to refresh your space or a seller who’s preparing your home for sale, who wants to get rid of those mustard-yellow walls to give way to neutral colors that will suit the taste of most buyers, chances are you want to go the DIY route to save some money. Besides, there’s something more rewarding about doing it on your own.
So go the extra mile to ensure your painting surface is fully prepared. Because even though your walls and surfaces appear to be in good condition and don’t look like they need cleaning, they usually house plenty of dust, dirt, and grime, which can result in uneven paint spots or paint that chips and peels off easily.
If you’re painting interior walls, use a duster to get rid of dust and any cobwebs. Examine the walls and scrape away any old, chipping paint, then sand down any rough edges. Wipe down the surface using a rag or washcloth dampened in a mixture of mild detergent (or any residue-free cleaner) and warm water to remove lingering dirt and debris. For exterior walls, power washing will be more efficient and effective. In addition to cleaning, don’t forget to also consider the quality of the surface you’re looking to paint.
Doing these vital surface preparations will make sure that the painting job will provide a desirable outcome. Besides, even if you hire professionals to do the job, doing some of the prep work yourself can save you money and ensure the perfect results you’re hoping for.
But remember as well that not just any tape will do—you need to invest in painter’s tape, which is specially designed for the job and won’t leave residue behind. Just make sure to remove the tape before the paint dries completely, ideally an hour after you’ve finished painting, to avoid the dried paint from peeling off.
